Spanish GrammarExplained in English
Authors: José Lagartos, Mauricio Lagartos.
Protected copyright - Propiedad intelectual: M-5171-2010. All rights reserved. Copying and distribution of all or any part of this Spanish grammar explained in English is prohibited. |
This Spanish grammar explained in English is brought to you by
Gran Canaria School of Languages.
| The pronouns: |
| The adjectives: |
| The verbs: | |
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Auxiliary verb "haber" - to have |
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Endings of regular verbs |
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Formation and use of moods and tenses
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This Spanish grammar explained in English is brought to you by
Gran Canaria School of Languages.
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THE ARTICLE |
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DEFINITE |
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masculine |
feminine |
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Singular |
EL |
LA |
Plural |
LOS |
LAS |
INDEFINITE |
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masculine |
feminine |
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Singular |
UN |
UNA |
Plural |
UNOS |
UNAS |
CONTRACTIONS |
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A+EL = AL DE+EL = DEL |
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AL + infinitive = cuando (when) + Present or past.
The feminine article "la" changes to the masculine "el" before a feminine noun starting with an accentuated "a".
This is not the case in "la acción" or "la administración" because the accentuation is not on the "a" but on "ón". |
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abclingua.net: Spanish on-line. First lesson as free demo. |
The port of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
This Spanish grammar explained in English is brought to you by
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USE OF DEFINITE ARTICLES |
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It will be used: |
It will not be used: |
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a) Before a title of Persons El Sr. Pérez, el Dr. Martín
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a)- Before the names: José, Juan... - Before the titles in direct addressing: Mire esto, señor Gómez. Look at this, Mr. Gómez. |
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b) Before some countries (but not always): (La) Argentina, (La) China, (La) India, (El) Japón, (Los) Estados Unidos - Before some few cities: La Habana, La Paz. El Cairo - Before countries and cities accompanied by an adjective: La Suiza alemana, La alegre Barcelona. The German Swizerland, The gay Barcelona |
b) - Before all other countries Alemania, España... etc. |
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c) Before the days of the week: El lunes es fiesta. Monday is a holiday - Before a certain period or time: El año pasado, la próxima semana, a las 2 en punto. - Last year, - Next week - At two o’clock |
c) - Before the days of the week after the verb "to be": Hoy es martes. Today is Tuesday |
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d) Nouns with uncertain meaning. La música, el arte. The music, the art
- Before parts of body after to "have". Tienes los ojos azules. You have blue eyes
- Before music instruments and sports. Él toca la guitarra. He plays guitar Juega al tenis. He plays tennis
- Football teams: El Manchester, El Real Madrid. The Manchester football team |
d) - Before the ways of transportation with the preposition "en": Voy en tren. I go by train. Viajo en avión. I travel by plain. |
text.
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
This Spanish grammar explained in English is brought to you by
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THE ALPHABET And its pronunciation |
A |
a |
J |
jota |
R |
erre |
B |
be |
K |
ka |
S |
ese |
C |
ce |
L |
ele |
T |
te |
D |
de |
M |
eme |
U |
u |
E |
e |
N |
ene |
V |
uve |
F |
efe |
Ñ |
eñe |
W |
uve doble |
G |
ge |
O |
o |
X |
equis |
H |
ache |
P |
pe |
Y |
ye |
I |
i |
Q |
ku |
Z |
ceta |
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Other orthographic signs: |
@ |
arroba |
: |
dos puntos |
. |
punto |
; |
punto y coma |
´ |
acento |
… |
puntos suspensivos |
- |
guión |
ü |
diéresis |
¡ ! |
signos de exclamación |
¿ ? |
signos de interrogación |
" " |
comillas |
() |
paréntesis |
/ |
barra |
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For instance: My email address is: office @ (arroba) GranCanariaSchool. (punto) com |
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- The interrogation and exclamation marks are situated before (with an upper dot) and after (with a lower) the word or sentence.
- In the syllables "gue" and "gui" the "U" is pronounced if the sign (¨) (diéresis) is placed above it.
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text.
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
This Spanish grammar explained in English is brought to you by
Gran Canaria School of Languages.
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RULES OF PRONUNCIATION |
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The 5 Spanish vowels have always the same clear sound and if there are two together, each of them keeps its own. |
(with the 5 vowels)
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A |
E |
I |
O |
U |
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K: |
CA |
QUE |
QUI |
CO |
CU |
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Z: |
ZA |
CE |
CI |
ZO |
ZU |
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G: |
GA |
GUE |
GUI |
GO |
GU |
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J: |
JA |
JE, GE |
JI, GI |
JO |
JU |
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- In the syllables "gue" and "gui" the "u" will be pronounced only if it has a ¨ (diéresis) on it.
- Q is only used to form the sounds "que" and "qui" (ke, ki)
- K has the same sound as Q but it is only use for words with a foreign origin:
- Z never comes before "e" or "i".
- H is never pronounced
But the H after C produce a special sound such as: Che Guevara or cha-cha-cha
- V has a similar pronunciation as B. Vivo en Barcelona. I live in Barcelona
- R at the beginning of a word or after "n" or "l" has an strong sound, the same as RR in the middle of a word. Otherwise a lone "r" has a light sound such as pero (but).
- LL has a similar pronunciation as "Y" before a vowel.
- There are never two same consonants together such as "pp", "ss", or "tt" with the exception of "cc" if its sound is "kc"
or "nn" if the prefix "in" precedes another "n".
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Las Palmas: more than 500 years of history.
A jewel in the Atlantic
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria: the Las Canteras beach
This Spanish grammar explained in English is brought to you by
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WORDS ORDER IN THE SENTENCE |
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When in a sentence, the action expressed by the verb is done by the subject, we call it an active sentence. But if the same subject receives the action expressed by the verb, then we call it a passive sentence. |
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A. ACTIVE SENTENCE: |
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With nouns: |
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Subject |
Verb |
Direct object |
Indirect object |
Complement of place |
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El profesor |
da |
el libro |
al alumno |
en la clase. |
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The teacher |
gives |
the book |
to the student |
in the classroom. |
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With the direct pronoun: |
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Subject |
Direct object |
Verb |
Indirect object |
Complement of place |
El profesor |
lo |
da |
al alumno |
en la clase. |
it |
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With the indirect pronoun: |
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Subject |
Indirect object |
Verb |
Direct object |
Complement of place |
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El profesor |
le |
da |
el libro |
en la clase. |
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him |
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With the direct and indirect pronoun. Him = le becomes se |
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Subject |
Indirect object |
Direct object |
Verb |
Complement of place |
El profesor |
se |
lo |
da |
en la clase. |
him |
it |
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The teacher gives it to him in the classroom |
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- In a negative sentence, the adverb NO comes always after the subject:
If the sentence has two verbs (Indicative plus Infinitive or Gerund), the pronoun object follows the infinitive or gerund, forming a unique word. Or: the pronouns precede the Indicative and then are all separated. In any case the indirect object precedes the direct object.
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B. ACTIVE AND PASSIVE SENTENCES: |
Active: |
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Subject |
Verb |
Direct object |
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El profesor The teacher |
escribe writes |
el libro. the book. |
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Passive |
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Subject |
Verb |
Preposition POR |
object |
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El libro The book |
es escrito is written |
por by |
el profesor. the teacher. |
come and learn Spanish with us and enjoy our beaches and weather.
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria: the Las Canteras beach.
This Spanish grammar explained in English is brought to you by
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THE ACCENT |
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The accent will be placed on one of the vowels of a syllable:
1. On the last syllable if it sounds accentuated, and the word finishes with:
2. On the last but one syllable if it sounds accentuated and the word finishes with a consonant not "N" or "S".
3. On any other syllable preceding the last but one, if it sounds accentuated.
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Special Rules |
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Some words, with only one or two syllables, have an accent to be distinguished from another of same spelling but with a different meaning. |
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Dé Él Más Tú Mí Sé Té Sí Aún |
from verb "dar" personal pronoun comparative personal pronoun pron. after preposition from "saber" and "ser" Tea (drink) affirmative and pronoun adverb |
give it he more you (for) me I know Tea yes /himself still |
De El Mas Tu Mi Se Te Si Aun |
preposition article "Pero" possessive possessive pronoun pronoun conjunction "even" |
of the but your my him/her you if even |
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+ all interrogative pronouns have an accent: ¿Qué? what?, ¿Dónde? where?, ¿Quién? who?...etc. |
- If a strong vowel (a, e, o) forms a diphthong with a weak one (i, u), the
accent will be placed on the strong vowel.
- If a weak vowel (i, u) does not forms a diphthong with a strong one (a, e, o), the accent will be placed on the weak vowel.
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Las Palmas de Gran Canaria: Sunset at the Las Canteras beach.
This Spanish grammar explained in English is brought to you by
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GENDER OF NOUNS |
a) Masculine |
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1. If they finish with an O:
Exceptions: la mano (the hand) and the words finishing with "A" but which have been shortened from a longer one finishing with an "A":
2. In general all nouns ending with: E, I, U, J, L, N, R, S, T.
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b) Feminine |
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1. If they finish with an "A".
Exceptions: el día, el mapa,.. etc. See list below:
2. In general, all nouns ending with:
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c) The same word for both genders (only the article changes): |
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1. Words ending in ista:
2. Words as:
+ nouns relating to persons, ending in ante or ente.
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d) Some nouns change their meaning when changing the article: |
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e) Feminine nouns starting with a stressed A take the masculine article in singular: |
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f) Some nouns become feminine with the following suffixes: |
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g) Some nouns have a different root in masculine and feminine: |
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FORMATION OF THE PLURAL |
The rule for forming the plural of nouns is the same as for adjectives.
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1. Nouns add S when the word ends in an unaccented vowel.
2. Nouns add ES when the word ends in a consonant or accented I or U.
3. Nouns ending in Z change it to C in the plural.
4. Nouns ending in S have the same form in singular and plural.
Exception: gas es. Gas.
5. Some nouns change the place of the accent in the plural.
6. The plural-masculine form sometimes includes both genders.
7. Some nouns are only plural.
8. Some are double in number.
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Gran Canaria School of Languages.
PERSONAL PRONOUNS |
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1 subject |
2 indirect object |
3 direct object |
4 reflexive |
5 with preposition |
6 Possessive pronouns |
7 Possessive adjectives |
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Yo Tú
Él Ella Vd.
Nosotros/as Vosotros/as
Ellos Ellas Vds. |
Me Te
} Le (se)
Nos Os
} Les (se) |
Me Te
Lo La Lo/La
Nos Os
Los Las Los/Las |
Me Te
} Se
Nos Os
} Se |
Mí Ti
Él (ello) Ella Vd.
Nosotros/as Vosotros/as
Ellos Ellas Vds. |
Mío/a/s Tuyo/a/s
} Suyo/a/s
Nuestro/a/s Vuestro-a/s
} Suyo/a/s |
Mi-s Tu-s
} Su-s
Nuestro-a/s Vuestro-a/s
} Su-s |
1. The subject personal pronoun: yo, tú, él, ella, nosotros/as, vosotros/as (courtesy form usted/ustedes = Vd. Vds.), ellos, ellas. - tú and él have an accent in order to be distinguished from tu (your, poss. adjective) and el (definite article).
- In general the subject personal pronoun is not much used, because the endings in the verbs show who is the subject, (except with él or ella and their plural).
- Nevertheless, it will be used if we want to stress who is the subject of a sentence.
2. Indirect pronouns: to me, to you, to him / her, to us, to you, to them. -LE and LES change to SE before the direct pronouns LO, LA, LOS, LAS.
3. Direct pronouns: me, you, him, her, it, us, you, them.
4. Reflexive pronouns: myself, yourself, himself, herself, oneself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves
The infinitive of reflexive verbs are followed by the third person pronoun SE and forming a unique word.
5. Personal pronouns with preposition: for me, for you, ...etc. - ÉL, ELLA, UD. and their plural changes to "SÍ", if the subject is the same as the complement.
- "Sí" has an accent in order to be distinguished from the conditional conjunction "si" . - The preposition CON before MÍ, TI and SÍ changes to: conmigo, contigo, consigo. - ELLO means some indefinite thing. (it)
6. Possesive pronouns: they can be preceeded by an article: el mío, la mía, los míos, las mías. - It replaces a noun or it comes directly after it.
7. Possessive adjective: my, your, his, her, our, your, their. - They are placed before the nouns.
- MI, TU, SU are the same for both genders.
Note: A personal direct or indirect pronoun preceded by an n A, can accompany another personal pronoun of same person. With this repetition the power of the sentence will be reinforced.
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Position of direct and indirect pronouns: |
a) After the verb and forming a unique word if the pronouns accompany a:
b) Before the verb and separated if it goes with an indicative or subjunctive:
c) In case of two personal complement pronouns, first comes the indirect and then the direct.
d) If a sentence has a verb in infinitive (or gerund) and another in indicative, the placement will be as follows:
- After the infinitive (or gerund) and in a unique word:
- Or before the indicative (or subjunctive) and separated from it.
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Las Palmas de Gran Canaria: the Cathedral in the old quarter of the city.
This Spanish grammar explained in English is brought to you by
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DEMONSTRATIVE ADJECTIVES AND PRONOUNS |
near from the speaker | near from the hearer |
far away from both |
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Masculine |
ESTE / OS this / these |
ESE / OS that / those |
AQUEL / LOS that / those |
Feminine |
ESTA / S this |
ESA / S that / those |
AQUELLA / S that / those |
Neuter |
ESTO the thing here |
ESO the thing there |
AQUELLO the thing there |
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- It is a pronoun if it replaces a noun.
- It is an adjective if it comes before a noun.
- They correspond to the the adverbs of place: aquí, ahí, allí.
- The neuters (only as pronouns) refers to some not defined thing, (plural or singular).
- The personal pronoun "ello" is like a neuter demonstrative, similar to "esto".
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text.
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria: Casa de Colón in Vegueta, the old quarter of the city.
This Spanish grammar explained in English is brought to you by
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INTERROGATIVE PRONOUNS |
They always have an accent. |
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¿QUIÉN / ES? |
who? |
Only for persons
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¿QUÉ? |
what? |
It comes before a verb.
As an invariable adjective comes before a noun.
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¿CUÁL / ES? |
which? |
It comes before a verb, never before a noun.
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¿CÓMO? |
how? |
Asks for the state, form, colour...
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¿DÓNDE? = en dónde |
where? |
Situation without movement.
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¿ADÓNDE? |
where to? |
With verbs of movement to a destination.
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¿DE DÓNDE? |
where from? |
With verbs of movement coming from another place.
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¿POR QUÉ? |
why? |
Asks for the reason.
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¿PARA QUÉ? |
what for? |
Asks for the purpose or finality.
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¿CUÁNTO-A/S? |
how much? how many? |
Asks for the quantity. It has singular or plural, masculine or feminine.
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| ¿CUÁNDO? | when? |
Asks for the moment or time.
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Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
This Spanish grammar explained in English is brought to you by
Gran Canaria School of Languages.
RELATIVE PRONOUNS |
QUE |
who which that |
- It can relate to the subject or to the object case and can also be preceded by a preposition or a definite article (él, la, los, las).
- It is invariable and serves for both genders and numbers, for persons, things or animals.
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El CUAL / LA CUAL LOS CUALES / LAS CUALES |
which |
- It is always accompanied by the definite article and can be preceded by a preposition. - It is used for persons or things - After a noun can be used QUE as well as CUAL.
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QUIEN/ES |
who whom |
- Only for persons. - Can be preceded by a preposition. - I can be replaced by QUE or CUAL if it is accompanied by a pronoun and a definite article.
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CUYO-A / S |
whose |
- It relates to the possession case - It has the same meaning (in the masculine and singular) as DE QUE, DEL CUAL, DE QUIEN. - Is used for persons or things. - The gender and number depends of the possessed thing and not of the possessor.
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CUANTO |
all as much |
- It relates to the quantity. "Todo lo que" or "tanto como" (as much as) have the same meaning as "cuanto".
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DONDE |
where |
- It relates to a certain place. - It has the same meaning as "el lugar en que" (the place where)
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LO QUE |
what |
- It is used as a neuter form = "la cosa que" (the thing that)
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text.
Gran Canaria. Beach in the South.
This Spanish grammar explained in English is brought to you by
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INDEFINITE PRONOUNS AND ADJECTIVES |
ALGO |
something |
- For things in the affirmative or interrogative form.
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NADA |
nothing |
- For things in the negative form. - If it precedes a verb this will be accompanied by the negative adverb "NO".
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ALGUIEN |
anybody somebody |
-For persons in the affirmative or interrogative form.
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NADIE |
no one |
- For persons in the negative form. - If it precedes a verb this will be accompanied by the negative adverb "NO".
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ALGUNO-A/S |
some (any) |
- For certain persons and things in the affirmative or interrogative form.
- The plural algunos / as can be substituted by unos / as. |
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NINGUNO-A |
nobody |
- For certain persons and things in the negative form. - If it follows a verb this one will be accompanied by the negative adverb "NO".
- Alguno and ninguno, as masculine adjectives, preceding a noun, loose the ending "O".
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CADA |
each |
- The gender is invariable. But as a pronoun it can be "cada uno" or "cada una", (both genders). - It comes always before a noun.
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SE |
people (they) |
- Invariable.
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CUALQUIERA |
anybody |
- Invariable. Preceding a noun (as an adjective) it looses the ending "A".
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VARIOS-AS |
several |
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TAL-TALES |
such |
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MUCHO-A/S |
many |
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POCO-A/S |
litle few |
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BASTANTE-S |
enough |
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OTROS-A/S |
other |
- It can be accompanied by a definite article but never by a indefinite one.
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MISMO-A/S |
same |
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CIERTO-A/S |
certain |
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TODO-A/S |
all |
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This Spanish grammar explained in English is brought to you by
Gran Canaria School of Languages.
|
PLACEMENT, NUMBER AND GENDER OF ADJECTIVES |
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a) Placement |
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- The adjectives follow the nouns with same gender and number.
But they can also precede the nouns in order to reinforce the effect of the adjective. In that case "bueno" (good) and "malo" (bad) loose the "-o" and "grande" looses the ending "-de".
- MUCHO (much), POCO (little) and OTRO (other) always precede the noun.
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b) The number (Follows same rules as for the nouns). |
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- To form the plural, the adjective takes an S if it finishes on a non-stressed vowel.
- The adjective takes "ES" if it ends with a consonant or a stressed "í"
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c) The gender |
- Adjectives ending with an "O" changes it on "A" to make the feminine.
- Other adjectives never change:
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text.
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
This Spanish grammar explained in English is brought to you by
Gran Canaria School of Languages.
THE NUMBERS |
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1 uno, un, una 2 dos 3 tres 4 cuatro 5 cinco 6 seis 7 siete 8 ocho 9 nueve 10 diez |
11 once 12 doce 13 trece 14 catorce 15 quince 16 dieciséis 17 diecisiete 18 dieciocho 19 diecinueve 20 veinte |
21 veintiuno 22 veintidós 23 veintitrés 24 veinticuatro 25 veinticinco 26 veintiséis 27 veintisiete 28 veintiocho 29 veintinuevo 30 treinta |
40 cuarenta 50 cincuenta 60 sesenta 70 setenta 80 ochenta 90 noventa 100 cien o ciento... 200 doscientos/as 300 trescientos/as 400 cuatrocientos/as |
500 quinientos/as 600 seiscientos/as 700 setecientos/as 900 novecientos/as 1.000 mil 10.000 diez mil 100.000 cien mil 1.000.000 un millón |
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- From 20 to 30 takes an "i" and forms one single word.
- After 30 the progression to next numbers take a "y" separating both.
- CIENTO before a noun or before the number MIL (thousand) changes to CIEN.
- CIENTO adds an "S" in in the masculine (CIENTOS) and "AS" (CIENTAS) in the feminine.
- MIL after another number doesn’t change.
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ADJECTIVE ORDINAL NUMBERS |
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1º, 1ª primero / a 2º, 2ª segundo /a 3º... tercero /... 4º cuarto 5º quinto 6º sexto 7º séptimo 8º octavo 9º noveno 10º décimo |
11º decimoprimero 12º décimo segundo 13º decimotercero 14º decimocuarto 15º decimoquinto 16º decimosexto 17º decimoséptimo 18º decimoctavo 19º decimonoveno 20º vigésimo |
21º vigésimo primero 22º vigésimo segundo 23º vigésimo tercero 30º trigésimo 40º cuadragésimo 50º quincuagésimo 60º sexagésimo 70º septuagésimo 80º octogésimo 90º nonagésimo |
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The ordinal numbers can have a masculine or a feminine ending, as well as singular or plural: changing º by ª changes the gender.
In the practice the ordinals are only used from the first to the tenth. After and until the thirtieth, numerals are also used as ordinals.
After the thirtieth it is very rare to hear the ordinals and more common to use the cardinals as ordinals.
With the names of kings, popes…etc. the ordinals are used until the tenth. From then on only numerals will be used:
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text.
Gran Canaria.
This Spanish grammar explained in English is brought to you by
Gran Canaria School of Languages.
COMPARATIVE ADJECTIVES |
MÁS... QUE |
"Más" can be placed before an adjective or a noun.
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MENOS...QUE |
"Menos" can be placed before an adjective or a noun.
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TAN... COMO |
"Tan" can only be placed before an adjective.
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TANTO-A/S... COMO |
"Tanto-a/s" can only be placed before a noun.
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Irregular forms: |
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Más bueno Más malo Más grande Más pequeño Mas alto Mas bajo |
mejor peor mayor menor superior inferior |
better worse biger (or older) smaller (or younger) higher (or of more quality) lower (or of less quality) |
- The comparative form will be used to express an admiration, although it has nothing to compare to.
- If "MÁS" or "MENOS" are followed by a numeral, but without a comparation, the form "de" will be used instead of "que".
- A verb in the negative form together with the comparative "más que" means the same as "sólo" (only) in the affirmative form.
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text.
Gran Canaria School of Languages. The school.
This Spanish grammar explained in English is brought to you by
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SUPERLATIVE ADJECTIVES |
Relative: |
- If a noun is used, it will be placed after the article.
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Absolute: |
Muy + Adjective
or
Adjective + ÍSIMO / A / S
- The adverb "MUY" can be replaced by another such as: super or immensly
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This Spanish grammar explained in English is brought to you by
Gran Canaria School of Languages.
CONJUNCTIONS (The most important) |
Y,E |
and |
- "Y" changes to "E" if the following word starts with "i".
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O, U |
or |
- "O" changes to "U" if the following word starts by a stressed "o".
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NI ….Ni |
neither... nor |
- If "NI" is preceded by a verb this must be in the negative form.
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|
PERO |
but |
- MAS, (with no accent), has a similar meaning as "pero".
- Other similar conjunctions are: "sin embargo", "no obstante" |
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|
SINO |
but |
- It is only used in negative sentences.
"SINO QUE" has similar meaning but it precedes a verb. |
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|
PORQUE |
because |
- Other similar conjunctions are: "puesto que", "ya que" and "pues".
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PUES |
thus/so |
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DE MODO QUE |
so that |
- Other similar conjunctions are: "de forma que", "de manera que".
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QUE |
that |
- Preceded by verbs expressing feeling, wishes, fears, doubts or possibilities, the conjunction "QUE" is followed by a verb in the subjunctive form.
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|
SI |
if whether |
- Indicates a doubt:
- Or a condition:
|
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** PARA QUE |
in order to |
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* CUANDO |
as soon as |
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** ANTES DE QUE |
before |
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** DESPUÉS DE QUE |
after |
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* MIENTRAS |
while |
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* AUNQUE |
even |
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|
** SIN QUE |
without |
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** SIEMPRE QUE |
as long as |
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- The conjunctions marked with one * can never be followed by a future but will be substituted by a subjunctive. (They admit the present o the past time).
- The marked with two ** are always followed by a subjunctive.
|
||||||
text.
Gran Canaria School of Languages. Our students.
This Spanish grammar explained in English is brought to you by
Gran Canaria School of Languages.
|
PREPOSITIONS |
A |
to
at |
- Direction with movement to an certain place:
- Situation in relation to another object:
- Some expressions:
- Before a direct object of persons:
- After certain verbs:
- With the time of the day:
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|
EN |
in at of on into by |
- Situation:
- Movement to the inside:
- Way of transportation:
Exception:
- Some expressions:
- After certain verbs:
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|
DE |
of about from |
- Property:
- Material:
- Topics:
- A part:
- Origin:
- Some expressions:
- Time:
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PARA |
to in order to |
- Reason:
- Destination:
- Indication of a future time:
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POR |
instead of because of by through for during |
- Reason:
- Substitution:
- Pasive sentences:
- Way through:
- Means:
- Some expressions:
- Time:
- Price:
- Measure:
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CON |
with |
- Instrument:
- Some expressions:
- Accompaniment:
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CONTRA |
against |
- Opposition:
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ANTE |
before in front of |
(DELANTE DE):
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BAJO |
under |
(DEBAJO DE):
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DESDE |
from |
- Origin from time or place:
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SEGÚN |
according to |
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ENTRE |
between among |
- Between time or places:
- Collaboration:
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HACIA |
towards about |
- Direction:
- Aproximate time:
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SIN |
without |
- Lack of:
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|
SOBRE |
above about around |
(ENCIMA DE):
- Approximation:
- Topics:
|
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|
TRAS |
behind after |
(DETRÁS DE): Place
(DESPUÉS DE): Time
|
text.
Gran Canaria.
This Spanish grammar explained in English is brought to you by
Gran Canaria School of Languages.
ADVERBS |
Of time |
AYER |
yesterday |
Ayer fue lunes. |
Yesterday was Monday. |
ANOCHE |
last night |
Anoche fui a bailar. |
Last night I went to dance. |
ANTEAYER |
before yesterday |
Anteayer fue domingo. |
Before yesterday was Sunday. |
HOY |
today |
Hoy es martes. |
Today is Tusday. |
MAÑANA |
tomorrow |
Mañana será miércoles. |
Tomorrow will be Wednesday. |
PASADO MAÑANA |
after tomorrow |
Pasado mañana será jueves. |
After tomorrow will be Thursday. |
ANTES |
earlier |
Antes todo era más barato. |
Earlier everything was cheaper. |
AHORA |
now |
Ahora soy feliz. |
Now I am happy. |
LUEGO |
afterwards |
Te veo luego. |
I’ll see you later. |
DESPUÉS |
later |
Ven a verme después. |
Come to see me afterwards. |
TARDE |
late |
Ella siempre llega tarde. |
She is always late. |
TEMPRANO |
early |
El se levanta temprano. |
He gets up early. |
SIEMPRE |
always |
El sol es siempre bienvenido. |
The sun is always welcome. |
NUNCA |
never |
Nunca fumo. |
I never smoke. |
JAMÁS |
never |
Jamás bebo. |
I never drink. |
TODAVÍA/AÚN |
still |
Todavía estoy cansado. Aún estoy en la cama. |
I am still tired. I am still in bed. |
YA |
already |
Ya es de día. |
It is already daylight. |
MIENTRAS |
while |
Comí mientras él hablaba. |
I ate while he was speaking . |
PRONTO |
soon |
Pronto será de noche. |
It will be night soon . |
PRIMERO |
fisrt of all |
Primero telefoneó… |
First of all he phoned…. |
ENTONCES |
then/at that time |
Entonces había alli muchos leones. |
At that time there were many lions in that place. |
DE DÍA |
during the day |
Trabajamos por el día. |
During the day we work. |
DE NOCHE |
during the night |
De noche dormimos. |
During the night we sleep. |
Of mode |
BIEN |
well |
Escribo bien. |
I write well . |
MAL |
bad |
Él habla mal. |
He speaks bad. |
ASÍ |
like this |
Somos así. |
We are like this. |
DE PRISA |
fast |
Andamos deprisa. |
We walk fast. |
DESPACIO |
slow |
Leemos despacio. |
We read slow. |
+ the majority of adjectives (in their feminine) with the suffix "MENTE". |
Clara |
CLARAMENTE |
Clearly |
Segura |
SEGURAMENTE |
Surely |
Terrible |
TERRIBLEMENTE |
Terribly |
Tranquila |
TRANQUILAMENTE |
Quietly |
Rica |
RICAMENTE |
Richly |
Limpia |
LIMPIAMENTE |
Cleanly |
|
Of place |
AQUÍ (ACÁ) |
here |
Vivimos aquí. |
We live here . |
AHÍ |
there |
El coche está ahí. |
The car is there. |
ALLÍ (ALLÁ) |
there |
Alli están los Alpes. |
The Alps are there. |
ARRIBA |
up there |
Ellos están arriba. |
They are up there . |
ABAJO |
down there |
Ellos están abajo. |
They are down there. |
ENCIMA |
on top |
Ponlo encima. |
Put it on the top. |
DEBAJO |
down there |
Ponlo debajo. |
Put it down there. |
DENTRO |
inside |
Llévalo dentro. |
Bring it inside. |
FUERA |
outside |
Llévalo fuera. |
Take it outside. |
CERCA |
near |
Esta casa está cerca. |
This house is near |
LEJOS |
far |
Aquella montaña está lejos. |
That mountain is far. |
DELANTE |
to the front |
Delante se ecuentra la biblioteca. |
The library is situated to the front. |
DETRÁS |
behind |
Allí detrás está mi casa. |
Behind there is my house. |
JUNTO |
beside |
La bici está junto al árbol. |
The bicycle is beside the tree. |
ENFRENTE |
in front |
La farmacia está justo enfrente. |
The pharmacy is just in front. |
Of quantity |
MUCHO |
much |
Trabajamos mucho. |
We work much |
POCO |
little |
El pájaro come poco. |
The bird eats little. |
MUY |
very |
Ella es muy inteligente |
She is very intelligent. |
BASTANTE |
enough |
El caballo bebió sufuciente agua. |
The horse drank enough water. |
MENOS |
less |
Tienes que trabajar menos. |
You should work less |
DEMASIADO |
too much |
Fumas demasiado. |
You smoke too much. |
ALGO |
something |
Tiene algo en la mano. |
Here is something. |
NADA |
nothing |
Aquí no hay nada. |
There is nothing. |
SOLO |
only |
Trabaja solo por las mañanas. |
He only works in the morning. |
AL MENOS |
at least |
Podías, al menos, haberme llamado. |
You should at least have called me. |
CASI |
almost |
Casi se muere. |
He almost dies. |
TANTO |
so much |
Tanto trabajo y para nada. |
So much work and for nothing. |
Of affirmation |
SÍ |
yes |
Sí, lo quiero hacer. |
Yes, I want to do it. |
CLARO |
of course |
Claro, nos vamos. |
Of course we sall leave. |
CIERTO |
sure |
Cierto, tú tienes razón. |
You are sure right. |
DE SEGURO |
really |
Seguro, el trabajo se hará. |
They work really well. |
REALMENTE |
actually |
Ellos trabajan realmente bien. |
It is actually very well done. |
SIN DUDA |
doubtless |
Sin duda, ocurrió. |
Doubtless it happened. |
DESDE LUEGO |
naturally |
Desde luego,viajaremos allí. |
Naturally we shall travel there. |
TAMBIÉN |
also |
El trabaja también el sábado. |
He also works on Saturday. |
Of negation |
NO |
no/not |
No, yo no bebo. |
No, I do not drink. |
AL CONTRARIO |
on the contrary |
Al contrario, le gustaba mucho nadar. |
On the contrary he enjoys very much swimming. |
NI SIQUIERA |
not even |
Ni siquiera me visitó. |
He didn't even visited me. |
TAMPOCO |
neither |
Ella no tiene dinero, él tampoco. |
She has no money and neither he has. |
Of doubt |
QUIZÁ (S) TAL VEZ |
perhaps |
Quizás pueda ir de viaje mañana. |
Perhaps he can start the trip tomorrow |
ACASO |
by chance |
¿Acaso eres el Rey? |
Are you by chance the king? |
A LO MEJOR |
In best case |
A lo mejor se hace. |
In best case it will be done. |
SEGURAMENTE |
probably |
Seguramente iremos a bailar. |
Probably we’ll go to dance. |
text.
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. The beach of Las Canteras.
This Spanish grammar explained in English is brought to you by
Gran Canaria School of Languages.
PREFIXES |
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There are elements, situated before a noun and forming a single word in order to indicate or to change the meaning of some words. |
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Negation |
Repetition |
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Anormal Inmoral Imposible Deformar Desaparecer |
abnormal unmoral impossible to deform to disappear |
Repasar |
to review |
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Quantity |
Place |
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Semicírculo Monosílabo Bisabuelo Triángulo |
semicircle monosyllable great-grandfather triangle |
Extraterrestre Prever Posguerra Submarino Transalpino Ultramar |
out of earth to foresee after the war submarine behind the Alps beyond the sea |
text.
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
This Spanish grammar explained in English is brought to you by
Gran Canaria School of Languages.
SUFFIXES |
|
They have the same effect as the prefixes, but they are placed after the words.
Diminutives:
If the noun finishes with "E" or a consonant, CILLO or CITO will be added:
Augmentatives:
Despisering:
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This Spanish grammar explained in English is brought to you by
Gran Canaria School of Languages.
|
THE VERBS |
|
AUXILIARY VERB "HABER" (TO HAVE) |
TIEMPOS SIMPLES SIMPLE TENSES |
TIEMPOS COMPUESTOS COMPOUND TENSES |
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Infinitivo Infinitive |
Gerundio Gerund |
Participio Participle |
Infinitivo Infinitive |
Gerundio Gerund |
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Haber |
Habiendo |
Habido |
Haber habido |
Habiendo habido |
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INDICATIVO - INDICATIVE |
TIEMPOS SIMPLES |
TIEMPOS COMPUESTOS |
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Presente - Present |
Pretérito perfecto - Present perfect |
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Pret. indefinido - past tense |
Pretérito anterior |
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The Pretérito anterior has lost its use in the practice and we only find it in literature. |
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Imperfecto |
Pluscuamperfecto |
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Futuro |
Futuro compuesto |
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Condicional |
Condicional compuesto |
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SUBJUNTIVO - SUBJUNCTIVE |
TIEMPOS SIMPLES |
TIEMPOS COMPUESTOS |
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Presente |
Pretérito perfecto |
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Imperfecto |
Pluscuamperfecto |
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Impersonal forms of HABER: |
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Hay Había/Hubo Haya |
there is / are there was / were that there will be |
Habrá Habría Hubiera / Hubiese |
there will be there would be that there would be |
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y en sus tiempos compuestos excepto con hay o hubo: había habido, habrá habido... |
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text.
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria: Vegueta, the old quarter of the city.
This Spanish grammar explained in English is brought to you by
Gran Canaria School of Languages.
|
ENDINGS OF REGULAR VERBS |
SIMPLE MOODS |
COMPOUND MOODS |
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Infinitive |
Gerund |
Participle |
Infinitive |
Gerund |
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INDICATIVO - INDICATIVE |
SIMPLE TENSES |
COMPOUND TENSES |
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Presente - present |
Pretérito perfecto - present perfect |
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Pretérito indefinido - past tense |
Pretérito anterior |
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The Pretérito anterior has lost its use in the practice and we only find it in literature. |
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Pretérito imperfecto |
Pluscuamperfecto |
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Futuro |
Futuro compuesto |
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Condicional |
Condicional compuesto |
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SUBJUNTIVO |
TIEMPOS SIMPLES |
TIEMPOS COMPUESTOS |
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Presente |
Pretérito perfecto - present perfect |
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Imperfecto |
Pluscuamperfecto |
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IMPERATIVO - IMPERATIVE |
Affirmative |
Negative |
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text.
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria: Vegueta, die Altstadt.
This Spanish grammar explained in English is brought to you by
Gran Canaria School of Languages.
ENDINGS OF REGULAR VERBS |
Infinitive: |
tomAR |
comER |
partIR |
|
Participles Irregulars: |
tom ADO escrito hecho dicho abierto |
com IDO puesto visto vuelto cubierto |
part IDO impreso resuelto muerto roto |
|
Gerund
Irregulars: |
tom ANDO pudiendo diciendo |
com IENDO durmiendo midiendo |
part IENDO muriendo pidiendo |
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INDICATIVO |
|
PRESENTE |
|
-AR: |
-ER: |
-IR: |
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Yo Tú Él / ella / Vd. Nosotros / as Vosotros / as Ellos / as / Vds. |
-o -as -a -amos -áis -an |
-o -es -e -emos -éis -en |
-o -es -e -imos -ís -en |
|
Irregulars: They change: |
Here some verbs as example: |
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From E to IE |
Querer - Yo quiero I want
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From E to I |
Pedir - Yo pido I ask for
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From O to UE |
Poder - Yo puedo I can
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From UI to UY |
Huir - Yo huyo I flee
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From C toZC (First person singular) |
Conocer - Yo conozco, and all verbs ending by: ecer, ocer, ucir. I know
|
Note: - The first and second person of the plural are always regular:
- Others only change the first person in singular:
- Other verbs have a different irregularity:
|
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PRETÉRITO INDEFINIDO |
The regular verbs have an accent on the last syllable in the first and third person of singular.
|
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Special irregularities |
The following past tenses carry no accents because they are not accentuated on the last syllable:
Ser (to be) and ir (to go) have the same form. Thus "fui" has two meanings: I went and I was.
Producir, conducir and traducir (to produce, to drive, to translate) take a "J" in all persons:
- Other irregular verbs ending with IR and which change "E" to "i" in the present, (pedir = pido), also take the "i" in the third person, singular and plural of the past tense: pidió, pidieron. The same with: vestir, seguir, medir, elegir.
DORMIR and MORIR (to sleep and to die) change "O" to "U" in the third person (singular and plural):
|
PRETÉRITO IMPERFECTO |
|
Regular forms: Infinitive (amar, temer, partir)
Irregulars:
|
FUTURO AND CONDICIONAL |
|
Regular forms: Infinitive (amar, temer, partir) +
Irregulars:
|
SUBJUNTIVO |
PRESENT |
|
Regular forms: Infinitive (amar, temer, partir)
- They have the same irregularity as the first person of indicative present: (haga, tenga, ponga, quepa, venga, diga, salga…etc) Exceptions:
- They have the same form as the third person (usted) of imperative:
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IMPERFECTO |
|
Regular forms: Infinitive (amar, temer, partir)
|
IMPERATIVO |
|
Regular forms: Infinitive (amar, temer, partir)
Irregulars: 2nd. person "Tú" (you):
The negative and the affirmative person for Usted / Ustedes (form of courtesy) and nosotros (we), is the same as the subjunctive present:
|
text.
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria: Vegueta, the old quarter.
This Spanish grammar explained in English is brought to you by
Gran Canaria School of Languages.
THE MAIN IRREGUALAR VERBS |
|
Group I
E changes to IE:
These changes take place in the present of indicative and subjunctive as well as in the imperative (except in the fist and second person plural):
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Group II
O (or U)changes to UE:
The changes take place in the same tenses, moods and persons as in group I:
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Group III
E changes to I:
The changes take place in the same tenses, moods and persons as in group I and II as well as in the third person of the past tense and the imperfect of subjunctive and in the gerund.
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Group IV
E changes to IE:
The changes take place in the same tenses, moods and persons as in group I and also the "E" changes to "i" in the third person of the past tense, in the imperfect of subjunctive and in the gerund.
|
text.
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
This Spanish grammar explained in English is brought to you by
Gran Canaria School of Languages.
|
CHARACTERISTICS OF SOME VERBS |
|
HABER |
(to have). - It is an auxiliary verb for the active sentences. For the passive ones the verb "SER" will be used. - Together with the participle it serves to form the compound tenses: present perfect, pluscuamperfecto, …
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HABER DE + Inf. or
TENER QUE + Inf. |
(to have to). - It has a similar meaning as "HABER DE" or "DEBER" but with a stronger meaning.
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SER |
(to be) - Indicates a permanent condition or state.
- It acts as auxiliary verb for the passive sentences.
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ESTAR |
(to be) a) Indicates a non permanent condition or state. b) or indicates a place:
c) Precedes a participle which acts as an adjective:
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SOLER |
(to use to) It always comes before another verb in infinitive. It is never used in the future or conditional.
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LLOVER
TRONAR
NEVAR |
They are only used in the third person.
Other impersonal verbs are:
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ACABAR DE + Inf. |
(to have just) The action has occured a short time ago/has just been completed:
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IR A + Inf. |
(going to…) The action is going to take place soon. It has a similar meaning as a future.
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VOLVER A + Inf. |
(to happen again.) The action is repeated. = future + "otra vez".
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ECHAR/SE A + Inf. (Ponerse a) |
(to start doing...) The action will start without delay.
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DEJAR DE + Inf. |
(To stop ...)
The action stops.
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DEBER DE + Inf. |
(It seams as ...). (Probability). The action is not sure.
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IR + Ger. |
The action is taking place.
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ESTAR + Ger. |
The action has started and continues.
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SEGUIR + Ger. |
Similar meaning as the previous one.
|
text.
Gran Canaria.
This Spanish grammar explained in English is brought to you by
Gran Canaria School of Languages.
|
VERBS INDICATING A CHANGE Different translation of the verb become: |
|
VOLVERSE / QUEDARSE |
It shows a rapid and permanent change to a physical condition.
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PONERSE |
It shows a rapid change to a not permanent physical condition
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HACERSE |
It shows a slow and permanent change to a new condition or profession.
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LLEGAR A SER |
Similar meaning as the previous.
|
text.
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
This Spanish grammar explained in English is brought to you by
Gran Canaria School of Languages.
|
VERBS NEEDING A CERTAIN PREPOSITION |
|
DEDICARSE |
A |
Se dedica a la pintura. He devotes himself to painting. |
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EMPEZAR |
Empezamos a trabajar a las 9. We start working at 9 o’clock . |
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APRENDER |
Aprendió a leer en la escuela. He learned to read at school. |
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ENSEÑAR |
Le enseñan a conducir un coche. They teach him to drive a car. |
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DECIDIRSE |
Se decidió a dejar su trabajo. He decided to leave his job. |
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OBLIGAR |
No me obligues a marcharme. Don’t force me to leave. |
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COMPROMETERSE |
No debes comprometerte a hacer eso. You shouldn't commit yourself to do this. |
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DEJAR |
DE |
Dejó de verla. He stopped to see her. |
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ACABAR |
Acabó de leer el libro. He has just finished to read the book. |
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OLVIDARSE |
No te olvides de escribirme. Don’t forget to write to me. |
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ALEGRARSE |
Me alegro de verte. I am glad to see you. |
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LAMENTARSE |
Se lamenta de su suerte. He deplored his bad luck. |
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TENER GANAS |
Tenemos ganas de beber un café. We are longing for drinking a coffee. |
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COMPONERSE |
Un año se compone de 12 meses. A year is composed by 12 months. |
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TARDAR |
EN |
Tardo 10 minutos en vestirme. I need 10 minutes to dress myself. |
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CONSISTIR |
Todo consiste en vivir y dejar vivir. All consists on live and to let live. |
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ENTRETENERSE |
Nos entretenemos en escuchar música. We keep occupied listening to music. |
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CREER |
Creo en lo que dices. I believe what you say . |
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SOÑAR |
CON |
Cada noche sueño contigo Every night I dream of you. |
text.
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria: Vegueta, the old quarter.
This Spanish grammar explained in English is brought to you by
Gran Canaria School of Languages.
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REFLEXIVE VERBS |
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There are many verbs which are reflexive in Spanish but not in English:
The reflexive pronouns are: me, te, se, nos, os, se.
Infinitives:
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Gran Canaria School of Languages. Students in class.
This Spanish grammar explained in English is brought to you by
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THE VERBS |
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GENERALITIES: USE OF MOODS AND TENSES |
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A verb is composed of two parts: a) The root (the invariable part):
and b) the ending (the variable part):
Regular verbs are those keeping their root invariable and adding the regular endings of the corresponding tenses:
Irregular verbs are those changing their roots or their endings in some of the tenses:
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INFINITIVE |
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- The infinitive has 3 possible endings: AR, ER, IR - The majority of verbs have the ending with "AR". - The group finishing with "IR" are the minority. - The reflexive verbs have the third person of the reflexive pronoun "SE" (oneself) at the end and together:
- If an infinitive is preceded by the contraction "AL" (a + el) means the same as cuando" (when) + an indicativ:
- An infinitive can also serve as a noun.
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PARTICIPLE |
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To form the participles the verbs ending with -AR take -ADO after the root.
The verbs ending with -ER or -IR take-IDO after the root.
Irregular participles:
As well as the derived verbs with the same endings:
- The participle of "estar" (to be), can also acts as an adjective and varies accordingly its gender and number.
- With the verb "ser" (to be) the participle serves to form the passive voice and varies accordingly its gender and number.
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GERUND |
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Irregular gerunds are:
1.
2. If before the ending -IENDO there is a vowel, the "i" of -IENDO changes to "Y" and forms -YENDO. Thus the Gerund of IR is YENDO.
3. The verbs having an "e" in their root which changes it in "i", in the present and in the 3rd. person of the past tense, (group II) also take the "i" in the gerund.
- A gerund preceding the verb "estar" (to be) forms the continuous form
- The gerund in a continuous form can be substituted by "cuando" (when) or "mientras" (while) in a sentence with present or past.
- The gerund can be substituted by "si" (if) in a sentence with present or imperfect of subjunctive.
- Indicates the manner:
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INDICATIVE |
PRESENT |
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- Indicates an action happening in that moment and not completely finished.
- It can substitute a future if the action is sure and will take place soon.
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Irregulars: |
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a) Some verbs change a vowel in their roots:
b) Some verbs change only the first person:
c) The infinitives ending in: OCER, ECER, UCIRtake the ending ZCO in the first person:
d) Others are irregular in their first, second and third person, and also change a vowel or a consonant:
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From the first person of present indicative are formed:
- The present of subjunctive. - The imperative of "Usted / es" and "nosotros" as well as the complete negative imperative.
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PRETÉRITO INDEFINIDO - PAST TENSE |
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The pretérito indefinido as well as imperfecto correspond to the English past tense. The first one expresses an action in the past which has been already completed and finished or which happened in a closed period of time.
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Irregulars: |
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a) Some of them have a total irregularity:
- They have the following endings:(Without accent on the first and third person so as the regulars do)
b) If the pret. indefinido has a "J", the "i" on the 3rd. person plural disappears. From that 3rd. person the imperfect of subjunctive is formed. Thus the imperfect subj. is: dijera, trajera, tradujera…etc
c) The verbs SER and IR are totally irregular and they have the same form for both of them:
d) DAR has the following pret. indefinido:
e) The verbs that in present change the "E" to an "I" or to "ei" change here the "E" to an "i" in the 3rd. person (Singular and Plural).
E into I: hoy yo elijo, ayer él elijió. Yo sigo, ayer él siguió (seguir)
E into IE: Present: miento, siento, divierto, arrepiento. Pretérito: mintió, sintieron, divirtió, arrepitieron
f) MORIR and DORMIR (to die and to sleep) change the "O" into "U" in in the 3rd person (Singular and plural):
With the 3rd. person plural of Pretérito Indefinido will be formed the imperfect of subjunctive:
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PRETÉRITO PERFECTO – PRESENT PERFECT |
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- It expresses an action within a period of time which is not yet finished or if already finished it continues up to the present.
- It is formed with the present of "haber" (to have): he, has, ha, hemos, habeis, han and the participle of the verb that we want to express.
- The participles finish with -ADO or -IDO and it is invariable in all persons (See the irregular participles). |
IMPERFECTO |
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- Expresses an action in the passed which happened simultaneously with another action or during a not limited period of time or which was happening often.
- It is the tense of narration.
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Irregulars: |
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(only 3): IBA (I went); ERA (I was); VEÍA (I saw) - It is also used with indirect sentences in the past:
- If by describing a long time in the past we introduced a happening with a shorter action, the longer action needs an imperfecto while the unique or short needs a pretérito indefinido.
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PLUSCUAMPERFECTO |
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- Expresses an already happened and completed action preceding another also finished action.
- It is formed with the imperfecto of "haber" (to have): |
FUTURO |
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- The regular futures are formed with the infinitive of a verb adding to it the following endings: é, ás, á, emos, éis, án
- It expresses an action which will take place in a future time and without indicating its ending:
- It also expresses a possibility:
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Irregulars: |
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a) Some verbs loose the "e" from the root:
b) Some others change the "e" or "i" into "d":
c) Two verbs loose 2 letters of the root: decir and hacer.
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FUTURO COMPUESTO |
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- It expresses a future action which will occur previous to another future action:
- It is formed with the future of "haber" (to have): habré, habrás, habrá, habremos, habréis, habrán and the participle of the verb that we want to express. (See the irregular participles). |
CONDICIONAL SIMPLE |
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- Expresses a possibility in the present or the future.
- It is used to form the courtesy sentences:
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Irregulars: |
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The same as the irregular futures. |
CONDICIONAL COMPUESTO |
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- It expresses a possibility in the past which can not be achieved anymore.
- It is formed with the conditional of "haber" (to have): habría, habrías, habría, habríamos, habríais, habrían and the participle of the verb that we want to express. (See the irregular participles). |
SUBJUNCTIVE |
PRESENT OF SUBJUNCTIVE |
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The present has a meaning of future, according to the sentences, and it will be used in:
1. Sentences with verbs expressing: willingness, believe, doubt, hope, fear, liking, disliking, possibility, or necessity.
As we see, the subjunctive mood is used whenever two sentences, separated by the conjunction QUE, appear. The first sentence expressing hope, willingness, etc, the second one must be a subjunctive with an own subject.
2. Some conjunctions can never precede a future, this will be instead substituted by a present or past of subjunctive. Not Vengo cuando puedo but: vendré cuando pueda. I come (I will come) whenever I can.
3. Other conjunctions can only be followed by a subjunctive (present or past):
All persons of the present subjunctive are formed with the same irregularity as the first person of the present of indicative:
Except:
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PERFECT OF SUBJUNCTIVE |
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- Expresses an action finished in the past in a sentence with a verb or conjunction needing a subjunctive (see such verbs and conjunction with the present).
- The present perfect can also express an action in the future after another future action is finished.
- It is formed with the present in the subjunctive of "haber" (to have):
and the participle of the verb that we want to express. |
IMPERFECTO OF SUBJUNCTIVE |
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1. The imperfect expresses a future action finished in the past ,as far as this past uses a verb or conjunction needing a subjunctive.
2. After the said conjunctions (see 2nd. And 3rd. cases in the present of conjunctive) if they express a possibility in the present or the future.
3. After the conditional conjunction "SI (if) and in connection with the conditional tense
The imperfect has two possible different endings:
Both can be used indistinctively:
All persons of the present of subjunctive are formed with the same irregularity as the third person of the Pretérito indefinido.
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PLUSCUAMPERFECTO DE SUBJUNTIVO |
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It expresses an action already finished in the past preceding another also in the past. The verbs or conjunctions in these sentences have to be the ones which needs a subjunctive. (See the cases 1st., 2nd. And 3rd. in the present of subjunctive.)
- It is formed with the imperfecto of subjunctive of "haber" (to have):
and the participle of the verb that we want to express. |
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Example of the 4 tenses of subjunctive:
Example of the 3 cases with the conjunction "SI":
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IMPERATIVE |
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It expresses an order to command or to forbid a certain action.
- It has the same form as the present of subjunctive, except the 2nd person "tú" and "vosotros" (you) in the affirmative form:
- It precedes the indirect and the direct pronoun (in this order) forming a unique word in the affirmative form:
- In the negative or forbid form the order is as follows:
- The reflexive verbs, in the first person plural (we), loose the last "s" before the reflexive pronoun "nos" (us):
as well as the 2nd person plural (you) looses the last "d" before the reflexive pronoun "os" (you).
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Gran Canaria School of Languages. Our students.
This Spanish grammar explained in English is brought to you by
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ACTIVE AND PASSIVE VOICES |
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If the action expressed in a sentence is performed by the subject himself then we have an active sentence.
If in that sentence, the subject is the one receiving the action of the verb then we have a passive one.
- It always uses the preposition "POR" and the verb "SER".
- The verb "SER" will take the same tense, used in the active sentence and precedes the participle of that verb.
- The participle takes number and gender of the subject.
- A passive sentence can also be formed with the pronoun "SE" (people, we, one) followed by the verb in the active form.
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text.
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
This Spanish grammar explained in English is brought to you by
Gran Canaria School of Languages.
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DERIVATIONS OF TENSES |
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-From the 1st. person singular present of indicative we make all persons of present of subjunctive:
- From the 3rd. person plural pretérito indefinido (past tense) we make the imperfecto of subjunctive:
- From the future we make the conditional: Tomaré: Tomaría, tomarías…
- From the infinitive we make the: Tomar: imperfecto indicative. Tomaba, tomabas… the gerund
Tomando the
participle Tomado Except the irregulars of each tense. |
text.
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
This Spanish grammar explained in English is brought to you by
Gran Canaria School of Languages.
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VERBS WITH SPECIAL IRREGULARITIES |
Infinitive |
Gerund |
Participle |
Present |
Pret. indef.(past tense) |
Imperfecto subjunctive |
Imperfecto indicative |
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Indicative |
Conjunctive |
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Ver |
visto |
veo |
vea |
veía |
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Ser |
soy |
sea |
fui |
fuera |
era |
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Ir |
yendo |
voy |
vaya |
fui |
fuera |
iba |
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Salir |
salgo |
salga |
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Hacer |
hecho |
hago |
haga |
hice |
hiciera |
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Valer |
valgo |
valga |
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Poner |
puesto |
pongo |
ponga |
puse |
pusiera |
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Traer |
trayendo |
traigo |
traiga |
traje |
trajera |
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Decir |
diciendo |
dicho |
digo |
diga |
dije |
dijera |
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Venir |
viniendo |
vengo |
venga |
vine |
viniera |
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Tener |
tengo |
tenga |
tuve |
tuviera |
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Estar |
estoy |
esté |
estuve |
estuviera |
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Infinitive |
Gerund |
Participle |
Present |
Pret. indef.(past tense) |
Imperfecto subjunctive |
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Indicative |
Conjunctive |
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Poder |
pudiendo |
puedo |
pueda |
pude |
pudiera |
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Dormir |
durmiendo |
duermo |
duerma |
durmió (3.Pers.) |
durmiera |
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Morir |
muriendo |
muerto |
muero |
muera |
murió " |
muriera |
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Dar |
doy |
dé |
di |
diera |
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Querer |
quiero |
quiera |
quise |
quisiera |
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Saber |
sé |
sepa |
supe |
supiera |
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Caber |
quepo |
quepa |
cupe |
cupiera |
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Haber |
he |
haya |
hube |
hubiera |
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Conocer |
conozco |
conozca |
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Traducir |
traduzco |
traduzca |
traduje |
tradujera |
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Conducir |
conduzco |
conduzca |
conduje |
condujera |
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Producir |
produzco |
produzca |
produje |
produjera |
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Escribir |
scrito |
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Abrir |
abierto |
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Volver |
vuelto |
vuelvo |
vuelva |
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Cubrir |
cubierto |
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Imprimir |
impreso |
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Romper |
roto |
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Satisfacer |
satisfecho |
satisfago |
satisfaga |
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Resolver |
resuelto |
resuelvo |
resuelva |
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Imperative = Present Conjunctive |
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Infinitive |
Gerund |
Participle |
Present Indicative - Conjunctive 1st. person |
Pret. indef.(past tense) (3rd. pers.) |
Imperfecto subjunctive |
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Pedir |
pidiendo |
pido |
pida |
pidió |
pidiera |
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Freír |
friendo |
frito |
frío |
fría |
frió |
friera |
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Reír |
riendo |
río |
ría |
rió |
riera |
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Seguir |
siguiendo |
sigo |
siga |
siguió |
siguiera |
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Servir |
sirviendo |
sirvo |
sirva |
sirvió |
sirviera |
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Vestir |
vistiendo |
visto |
vista |
vistió |
vistiera |
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Repetir |
repitiendo |
repito |
repita |
repitió |
repitiera | |
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Medir |
midiendo |
mido |
mida |
midió |
midiera |
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Elegir |
eligiendo |
elijo |
elija |
eligió |
eligiera |
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Mentir |
mintiendo |
miento |
mienta |
mintió |
mintiera |
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Sentir |
sintiendo |
siento |
sienta |
sintió |
sintiera |
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Divertir |
divirtiendo |
divierto |
divierta |
divirtió |
divirtiera |
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Advertir |
advirtiendo |
advierto |
advierta |
advirtió |
advirtiera |
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Arrepentir |
arrepintiendo |
arrepiento |
arrepienta |
arrepintió |
arrepintiera |
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text.
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. The beach of Las Canteras.
This Spanish grammar explained in English is brought to you by
Gran Canaria School of Languages.
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IRREGULAR FUTURES AND CONDITIONALS |
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Infinitive |
Future |
Conditional |
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Salir |
saldré |
saldría |
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Hacer |
haré |
haría |
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Valer |
valdré |
valdría |
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Poner |
pondré |
pondría |
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Decir |
diré |
diría |
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Valer |
vendré |
vendría |
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Tener |
tendré |
tendría |
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Poner |
podré |
podría |
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Querer |
querré |
querría |
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Saber |
sabré |
sabría |
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Caber |
cabré |
cabría |
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Haber |
habré |
habría |