Verb Tenses
We often think of the past, present and future as the three verb tenses, although in reality Spanish has other tenses as well. Here you can learn how to conjugate and use the various tenses of Spanish.
Imperfect Tense
Definition of the imperfect tense as it is used in Spanish.
Definition of the imperfect tense as it is used in Spanish.
Introduction to the Future Tense
Learn the usages and conjugation of the future tense in Spanish.
Learn the usages and conjugation of the future tense in Spanish.
Using the Preterite Tense for Repeated Events
It is almost a rule of thumb that the imperfect tense, rather than the preterite tense, is used to discuss repeated or habitual events in the past. However, there are exceptions.
It is almost a rule of thumb that the imperfect tense, rather than the preterite tense, is used to discuss repeated or habitual events in the past. However, there are exceptions.
Spanish Verb Tenses
In the basic sense, the verb tenses are past, present and future. But when learning a foreign language, including Spanish, it's seldom that simple.
In the basic sense, the verb tenses are past, present and future. But when learning a foreign language, including Spanish, it's seldom that simple.
'Haber' and the Perfect Tenses
Haber is a common auxiliary verb used to form the perfect tenses.
Haber is a common auxiliary verb used to form the perfect tenses.
Present Indicative Tense
The present indicative tense is the tense first learned by most Spanish students.
The present indicative tense is the tense first learned by most Spanish students.
The Preterite and the Imperfect: A Quiz
Do you know the difference between the imperative and preterite tenses? Find out with this self-scoring quiz.
Do you know the difference between the imperative and preterite tenses? Find out with this self-scoring quiz.
The Two Past Tenses of Spanish
Both the imperfect and preterite tenses are typically used to refer to actions that occurred in the past. Learn how to distinguish between them.
Both the imperfect and preterite tenses are typically used to refer to actions that occurred in the past. Learn how to distinguish between them.
Two Past Tenses
Spanish has two simple past tenses, known as the preterite and the imperfect indicative. Learn what the differences and similarities are.
Spanish has two simple past tenses, known as the preterite and the imperfect indicative. Learn what the differences and similarities are.
Forming the Future Tense
How to conjugate regular verbs, and some common irregular ones, for the indicative future tense.
How to conjugate regular verbs, and some common irregular ones, for the indicative future tense.
The Subjunctive Tenses
The subjunctive mood has four tenses: present subjunctive, present perfect subjunctive, imperfect subjunctive and past perfect (or pluperfect) subjunctive.
The subjunctive mood has four tenses: present subjunctive, present perfect subjunctive, imperfect subjunctive and past perfect (or pluperfect) subjunctive.
Progressive Verb Forms
The progressive tenses in Spanish are formed by using a conjugated form of estar, a verb usually translated as "to be," followed by a gerund, the form of the verb that ends in -ando or -iendo.
The progressive tenses in Spanish are formed by using a conjugated form of estar, a verb usually translated as "to be," followed by a gerund, the form of the verb that ends in -ando or -iendo.
Translating "Ago" in Spanish
In English, we talk about something happening a certain time ago. Learn how to express the same thought in Spanish.
In English, we talk about something happening a certain time ago. Learn how to express the same thought in Spanish.
Conditional Tense
Just as in English, the conditional tense of verbs in Spanish is difficult to classify. Unlike the past, future and present tenses, it doesn't always refer to a particular period of time. And while its name suggests that it is used when there's a condition involved, in Spanish it also has some close connections with the future tense.
Just as in English, the conditional tense of verbs in Spanish is difficult to classify. Unlike the past, future and present tenses, it doesn't always refer to a particular period of time. And while its name suggests that it is used when there's a condition involved, in Spanish it also has some close connections with the future tense.
Meanings Change from Preterite to Imperfect
Because Spanish has both a preterite tense and an imperfect tense, Spanish can use the verb tense to make distinctions about what happened in the past, distinctions that aren't always made in English verb forms. Sometimes the distinction between tenses in Spanish is made by using different verbs in English.
Because Spanish has both a preterite tense and an imperfect tense, Spanish can use the verb tense to make distinctions about what happened in the past, distinctions that aren't always made in English verb forms. Sometimes the distinction between tenses in Spanish is made by using different verbs in English.
Progressive Verbs
In Spanish the progressive verb forms typically are used in special circumstances or to provide a nuance of meaning that isn't necessarily present in English.
In Spanish the progressive verb forms typically are used in special circumstances or to provide a nuance of meaning that isn't necessarily present in English.
Definition of 'Pluperfect'
The pluperfect tense is sometimes known as the past perfect tense.
The pluperfect tense is sometimes known as the past perfect tense.
Discussing the Future
You don't need to know the future tense to talk about future events in Spanish (but you can if you wish).
You don't need to know the future tense to talk about future events in Spanish (but you can if you wish).
Future Perfect Tense
The future perfect tense is the equivalent of "will have" followed by the past participle. However, this tense has common uses in Spanish that it doesn't in English.
The future perfect tense is the equivalent of "will have" followed by the past participle. However, this tense has common uses in Spanish that it doesn't in English.
Future Tense
The future tense is used not only to talk about the future, but also to speculate and to give emphatic commands.
The future tense is used not only to talk about the future, but also to speculate and to give emphatic commands.
Uses of the Future Tense
If you think that the future tense in Spanish is used to talk about events that will happen in the future, you're only partially right. For the Spanish future tense also has two other uses, one of which corresponds to an English usage and one that does not.
If you think that the future tense in Spanish is used to talk about events that will happen in the future, you're only partially right. For the Spanish future tense also has two other uses, one of which corresponds to an English usage and one that does not.
Imperfect Tense
No, there's nothing flawed about imperfect tenses. But they do refer to action that is incomplete.
No, there's nothing flawed about imperfect tenses. But they do refer to action that is incomplete.
Progressive Verbs
As their name implies, progressive verbs are used to indicate that the verb's action is, was or will be in progress.
As their name implies, progressive verbs are used to indicate that the verb's action is, was or will be in progress.
Preterite Tense
The preterite tense is what is often referred to loosely as the past tense.
The preterite tense is what is often referred to loosely as the past tense.
The Future Subjunctive
Although it isn't mentioned in many textbooks, Spanish does have a future subjunctive verb form. But it isn't used very often.
Although it isn't mentioned in many textbooks, Spanish does have a future subjunctive verb form. But it isn't used very often.