Breakdown of Con este relámpago, está claro que la tormenta está para empezar.
con
with / just by (+ -ing)
estar
to be (location/state)
que
that (relative pronoun, conjunction)
empezar
to begin
este
this (m.sg., also esta, estos, estas, esto)
la tormenta
the storm
claro
clear (it is clear that…)
para
about to (after 'to be' + infinitive)
el relámpago
the lightning
Questions & Answers about Con este relámpago, está claro que la tormenta está para empezar.
Why is está para empezar used here instead of está por empezar?
In Spain, estar para followed by an infinitive expresses that an event is imminent or just about to happen, which fits perfectly for a storm about to break. Estar por followed by an infinitive is usually used for personal intentions, meaning to be in the mood to do something, or to indicate that a task remains to be done.
Why does está claro que take the indicative mood (está) rather than the subjunctive?
Expressions of certainty or obviousness, like está claro que (it is clear that) or es evidente que, trigger the indicative because they declare a fact. If the phrase were negative, such as no está claro que, it would introduce doubt and require the subjunctive.
What is the difference between relámpago and rayo?
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