This review covers all the key Spanish tenses, moods, infinitives, and reflexive verbs, following the order in which they were introduced in the course. For each tense or concept, you’ll find a brief explanation and two example sentences to reinforce your understanding.
1. Infinitives
How to Use:
Infinitives are the base forms of verbs, often equivalent to the English “to + verb.” They are used after modal verbs, as the subject of a sentence, or in various verb phrases.
Examples:
- Quiero aprender español. (I want to learn Spanish.)
- Es importante estudiar todos los días. (It’s important to study every day.)
2. Present Tense (Presente)
How to Use:
The present tense is used to describe actions happening now or habitual actions.
Examples:
- Yo hablo español. (I speak Spanish.)
- Ellos viven en Madrid. (They live in Madrid.)
3. Reflexive Verbs
How to Use:
Reflexive verbs are used when the subject performs an action on themselves. These verbs are always accompanied by reflexive pronouns (me, te, se, nos, os, se).
Examples:
- Yo me despierto a las seis de la mañana. (I wake up at six in the morning.)
- Ella se está cepillando el pelo. (She is brushing her hair.)
4. Present Progressive (Presente Progresivo)
How to Use:
The present progressive tense is used to describe actions that are happening right now.
Examples:
- Estoy estudiando para el examen. (I am studying for the exam right now.)
- Ella está comiendo en el restaurante. (She is eating at the restaurant right now.)
5. Present Perfect Tense (Pretérito Perfecto)
How to Use:
The present perfect tense is used to describe actions that have happened recently or actions that are still relevant to the present.
Examples:
- He terminado mi tarea. (I have finished my homework.)
- Ellos han vivido en varios países. (They have lived in several countries.)
6. Preterite Tense (Pretérito)
How to Use:
The preterite tense is used to describe actions that were completed in the past.
Examples:
- Ayer, visité a mis abuelos. (Yesterday, I visited my grandparents.)
- Ellos llegaron tarde a la fiesta. (They arrived late to the party.)
7. Imperfect Tense (Imperfecto)
How to Use:
The imperfect tense is used for habitual past actions, background information, or to set the scene in the past.
Examples:
- Cuando era niño, jugaba al fútbol todos los días. (When I was a child, I used to play soccer every day.)
- El sol brillaba y los pájaros cantaban. (The sun was shining and the birds were singing.)
8. Future Tense (Futuro)
How to Use:
The future tense describes actions that will happen in the future.
Examples:
- Mañana estudiaré para el examen. (Tomorrow I will study for the exam.)
- Ellos viajarán a París el próximo año. (They will travel to Paris next year.)
9. Conditional Tense (Condicional)
How to Use:
The conditional tense describes actions that would happen under certain conditions.
Examples:
- Yo viajaría más si tuviera dinero. (I would travel more if I had money.)
- Ellos comerían aquí si el restaurante estuviera abierto. (They would eat here if the restaurant were open.)
10. Present Subjunctive (Subjuntivo Presente)
How to Use:
The present subjunctive is used to express doubt, uncertainty, wishes, or hypothetical situations in the present or future.
Examples:
- Espero que él venga a la reunión. (I hope he comes to the meeting.)
- Es importante que tú estudies para el examen. (It’s important that you study for the exam.)
11. Imperative/Commands (Imperativo)
How to Use:
The imperative mood is used to give commands, make requests, or offer advice.
Examples:
- Habla más despacio, por favor. (Speak more slowly, please.)
- No comas en la sala. (Don’t eat in the living room.)
12. Past Subjunctive (Subjuntivo Imperfecto)
How to Use:
The past subjunctive is used to describe past actions in a subordinate clause when the main clause is in a past tense, often expressing doubt, wish, or hypothetical situations.
Examples:
- Si yo tuviera más tiempo, viajaría más. (If I had more time, I would travel more.)
- Dudaba que ellos llegaran a tiempo. (I doubted that they would arrive on time.)
13. Pluperfect Tense (Pluscuamperfecto)
How to Use:
The pluperfect tense is used to describe actions that had happened before another action in the past.
Examples:
- Yo había comido antes de salir. (I had eaten before leaving.)
- Ella ya había estudiado cuando llegó la noticia. (She had already studied when the news arrived.)
14. Future Perfect Tense (Futuro Perfecto)
How to Use:
The future perfect tense is used to describe actions that will have been completed by a certain point in the future.
Examples:
- Para mañana, habré terminado el proyecto. (By tomorrow, I will have finished the project.)
- Ellos habrán llegado antes del mediodía. (They will have arrived before noon.)
15. Conditional Perfect Tense (Condicional Perfecto)
How to Use:
The conditional perfect tense describes actions that would have happened if certain conditions had been met.
Examples:
- Habría ido a la fiesta si me hubieras invitado. (I would have gone to the party if you had invited me.)
- Ellos habrían comprado la casa si hubieran tenido suficiente dinero. (They would have bought the house if they had had enough money.)
16. Present Perfect Subjunctive (Subjuntivo Pretérito Perfecto)
How to Use:
The present perfect subjunctive is used to describe actions that are connected to the present or future and have already been completed, usually in a context of doubt or emotion.
Examples:
- Dudo que él haya terminado el trabajo. (I doubt that he has finished the work.)
- Me alegra que tú hayas venido a la fiesta. (I’m glad that you have come to the party.)
17. Pluperfect Subjunctive (Pluscuamperfecto de Subjuntivo)
How to Use:
The pluperfect subjunctive describes actions that had been completed before another action in the past, often in the context of doubt, regret, or hypothetical scenarios.
Examples:
- Si hubiera sabido, habría actuado de otra manera. (If I had known, I would have acted differently.)
- No creía que ellos hubieran llegado tan temprano. (I didn’t believe that they had arrived so early.)
18. Past Preterite Perfect (Pretérito Anterior)
How to Use:
The past preterite perfect tense is used to describe an action that had been completed immediately before another action in the past, often used in formal or literary contexts.
Examples:
- Cuando hube terminado de leer, apagué la luz. (When I had finished reading, I turned off the light.)
- Después de que ellos hubieron comido, salieron a caminar. (After they had eaten, they went for a walk.)
19. Past Progressive Tense (Pretérito Imperfecto Progresivo)
How to Use:
The past progressive tense describes actions that were ongoing at a specific moment in the past, often interrupted by another action.
Examples:
- Yo estaba leyendo cuando el teléfono sonó. (I was reading when the phone rang.)
- Ellos estaban hablando cuando entré en la habitación. (They were talking when I entered the room.)
Conclusion
This comprehensive review of all Spanish tenses, moods, infinitives, and reflexive verbs has provided a concise explanation and examples for each. By mastering these forms, you’ll enhance your ability to communicate effectively in Spanish. Keep practicing to solidify your understanding and fluency!