Exercises – Grammar

Some verbs change final stem vowel to “y” in the third person singular and plural.
Examples of these verbs are: caer (to fall), leer (to read), roer (to nibble), oír (to hear), influir (to influence), and concluir (to conclude). Notice that if the final vowel of the stem is silent this rule doesn’t apply, e.g., seguir, perseguir, conseguir.

Regular verbs in the preterite are conjugated by adding the appropriate suffix to the stem.
The stem of the verb "vivir" is "viv-", formed by removing the final "ir".

The verbs “decir” and “traer” are irregular and use the stems “dij-” and “traj-” in the preterite, respectively. In addition, the third person plural of “decir” and “traer” ends in “-eron” instead of “-ieron”.

Some verbs change “e” to “i” in the third person singular and plural.

Examples of these verbs are: pedir, mentir, sentir, seguir, servir, hervir, preferir, convertir, despedir, impedir, divertirse, sugerir, vestirse, repetir, reír, and sonreír.
Notice that these verbs are all “-ir” verbs.

Some verbs change “o” to “u” in the third person singular and plural.

Examples of these verbs are: “dormir” and “morir” which are both “-ir” verbs.

Some verbs change “e” to “i” in the third person singular and plural.

Examples of these verbs are: pedir, mentir, sentir, seguir, servir, hervir, preferir, convertir, despedir, impedir, divertirse, sugerir, vestirse, repetir, reír, and sonreír.
Notice that these verbs are all “-ir” verbs.

Some verbs change final stem vowel to “y” in the third person singular and plural.
Examples of these verbs are: caer (to fall), leer (to read), roer (to nibble), oír (to hear), influir (to influence), and concluir (to conclude). Notice that if the final vowel of the stem is silent this rule doesn’t apply, e.g., seguir, perseguir, conseguir.

To describe habits in the past (indicated by "used to"), we use the imperfect.

Some verbs change final stem vowel to “y” in the third person singular and plural.
Examples of these verbs are: caer (to fall), leer (to read), roer (to nibble), oír (to hear), influir (to influence), and concluir (to conclude). Notice that if the final vowel of the stem is silent this rule doesn’t apply, e.g., seguir, perseguir, conseguir.

Verbs ending in “-ducir” replace the “c” with “j” in their stem to form the preterite stem ending in “duj-”.

Some verbs change meaning when they are used in reflexive form.

Some verbs are used only in reflexive form, such as "suicidarse" (to commit suicide).

Some verbs are used only in reflexive form, such as "quejarse" (to complain).

Remember that the word "gente" (people) in Spanish is singular.

In English, we use the verb “to be” to describe age, as in “how old are you?” and “I am 30 years old”.

In Spanish, the verb “tener” is used instead; that is, we literally say, “I have 30 years old” rather than, “I am 30 years old”.

Some expressions describe a feeling or desire using the verb “to have,” while their equivalents in English use the verb “to be.”

For example, in the expression “Tengo miedo” in Spanish, meaning “I am afraid,” the word “miedo” means “fear.” Thus, we literally say, “I have fear.”

In addition, there are many expressions that use the verb “hacer” (to do or to make) in Spanish, when similar expressions in English would not.

In English, we use the verb “to be” to describe age, as in “how old are you?” and “I am 30 years old”.

In Spanish, the verb “tener” is used instead; that is, we literally say, “I have 30 years old” rather than, “I am 30 years old”.

If the main clause expresses an opinion in the negative, the subordinate clause is in the subjunctive mood.
If the main clause is in the affirmative, the subordinate clause must be in the indicative, not in the subjunctive mood.

We begin from the first-person singular in the present, i.e. “yo conozco”, and we extract the stem “conozc-”.
Then, the appropritae suffix is added for verbs with an "-er" ending.

It is important that you remember to use the stem from the first-person singular in the present, not the stem from the infinitive. This is especially important with verbs irregular in the first person present. In this example, use the stem from “yo conozco”, that is "conozc-".

Most expressions that express the possibility of something being one way or the other can use indicative or subjunctive mood without any preference.

However, a notable exception that only uses the indicative is “a lo mejor” (maybe).

Some verbs are irregular in the present subjunctive such as "ir", "ser", "estar", "saber", "dar", and "haber".
The verb "ser" uses the stem "se-" to form the present subjunctive.
Then, the appropritae suffix is added for verbs with an "-er" ending.

Some verbs are irregular in the present subjunctive such as "ir", "ser", "estar", "saber", "dar", and "haber".
The verb "estar" uses the stem "est-" to form the present subjunctive.
Then, the appropritae suffix is added for verbs with an "-ar" ending.
Notice that "é" is used with an accent with some subject pronouns.

Some verbs are irregular in the present subjunctive such as "ir", "ser", "estar", "saber", "dar", and "haber".
The verb "saber" uses the stem "sep-" to form the present subjunctive.
Then, the appropritae suffix is added for verbs with an "-er" ending.

We begin from the first-person singular in the present, i.e. “yo tengo”, and we extract the stem “teng-”.
Then, the appropritae suffix is added for verbs with an "-er" ending.

It is important that you remember to use the stem from the first-person singular in the present, not the stem from the infinitive. This is especially important with verbs irregular in the first person present.

We begin from the first-person singular in the present, i.e. “yo juego”, and we extract the stem “jueg-” and add “u” is added to maintain proper pronunciation.
Then, the appropritae suffix is added for verbs with an "-ar" ending.

It is important that you remember to use the stem from the first-person singular in the present, not the stem from the infinitive. This is especially important with verbs irregular in the first person present. In this example, use the stem from “yo juego” that is "juegu-", where the "u" is added to maintain proper pronunciation.

Notice that “jugar” changes the conjugation stem in the “nosotros/-as” and “vosotros/-as” forms.
Because we start the conjugation from the stem of the “yo” form of the present indicative, the present subjunctive carries over the same stem change: “u” to “ue”. To form the present subjunctive, the “nosotros/-as” and “vosotros/-as” forms use the stem after removing these changes.

Most expressions that express the possibility of something being one way or the other can use indicative or subjunctive mood without any preference. Both are correct.

In general, desires, wishes, feelings, and requests are expressed in the subjunctive mood.

In verbs ending in “-er” or “-ir”, if the stem ends in a vowel, “-iendo” becomes “-yendo.”

In verbs ending in “-er” or “-ir”, if the stem ends in a vowel, “-iendo” becomes “-yendo.”

In the verbs ending in “-er” or “-ir”, if the stem ends in “-ll” or “-ñ”, “-iendo” becomes “-endo”. There are few verbs in this group, most of which are not very common, e.g. “bullir” (to boil) becomes “bullendo”, “mullir” (to fluff) becomes “mullendo”, and “teñir” (to dye) becomes “tiñendo”, where the latter changes the first “e” to “i” as an exception to the rule.

Many verbs ending in “-ir” that change stem in third person present tense conjugation from “e” to “i” or from “o” to “u” maintain the same stem change in the gerund form, e.g. “decir” (to say) becomes “diciendo”, “pedir” (to ask for) becomes “pidiendo”, “dormir” becomes “durmiendo”, and “morir” (to die) become “muriendo”.

The gerund of the verb “ir” (to go), which is a very common verb in Spanish, is “yendo,” e.g., “Yo estoy yendo al aeropuerto” (I am going to the airport). To say “I’m coming” in Spanish, you could use “Estoy yendo” or “Ya voy” because in Spanish we use the verb “ir” based on the point of reference of the speaker rather than that of the destination.

The present progressive tense, similar to its use in English, describes an event that continues to take place in the present, e.g., “Yo estoy hablando” (I am speaking).

It is formed by adding the simple present tense form of the auxiliary verb “estar” to the gerund.

The gerund is formed by attaching “-ando” to the stem of “-ar” ending verbs, and “-iendo” to the stem of “-er” and “-ir” ending verbs.

The present progressive tense is formed as follows:

In the verbs ending in “-er” or “-ir”, if the stem ends in “-ll” or “-ñ”, “-iendo” becomes “-endo”. There are few verbs in this group, most of which are not very common, e.g. “bullir” (to boil) becomes “bullendo”, “mullir” (to fluff) becomes “mullendo”, and “teñir” (to dye) becomes “tiñendo”, where the latter changes the first “e” to “i” as an exception to the rule.

The present progressive tense, similar to its use in English, describes an event that continues to take place in the present, e.g., “Yo estoy hablando” (I am speaking).

It is formed by adding the simple present tense form of the auxiliary verb “estar” to the gerund.

The gerund is formed by attaching “-ando” to the stem of “-ar” ending verbs, and “-iendo” to the stem of “-er” and “-ir” ending verbs.

The present progressive tense is formed as follows:

Many verbs ending in “-ir” that change stem in third person present tense conjugation from “e” to “i” or from “o” to “u” maintain the same stem change in the gerund form, e.g. “decir” (to say) becomes “diciendo”, “pedir” (to ask for) becomes “pidiendo”, “dormir” becomes “durmiendo”, and “morir” (to die) become “muriendo”.

Many verbs ending in “-ir” that change stem in third person present tense conjugation from “e” to “i” or from “o” to “u” maintain the same stem change in the gerund form, e.g. “decir” (to say) becomes “diciendo”, “pedir” (to ask for) becomes “pidiendo”, “dormir” becomes “durmiendo”, and “morir” (to die) become “muriendo”.

The future perfect tense in Spanish, similar to English, is used to describe events that will happen and be completed in the future by a certain time, or happen after another event is completed in the future.
It uses the auxiliary verb “haber” in the future tense followed by a past participle.

The future perfect tense in Spanish, similar to English, is used to describe events that will happen and be completed in the future by a certain time, or happen after another event is completed in the future.
It uses the auxiliary verb “haber” in the future tense followed by a past participle.

The future perfect tense in Spanish, similar to English, is used to describe events that will happen and be completed in the future by a certain time, or happen after another event is completed in the future.
It uses the auxiliary verb “haber” in the future tense followed by a past participle.

The future perfect tense in Spanish, similar to English, is used to describe events that will happen and be completed in the future by a certain time, or happen after another event is completed in the future.
It uses the auxiliary verb “haber” in the future tense followed by a past participle.

The future perfect tense in Spanish, similar to English, is used to describe events that will happen and be completed in the future by a certain time, or happen after another event is completed in the future.
It uses the auxiliary verb “haber” in the future tense followed by a past participle.

The future perfect tense in Spanish, similar to English, is used to describe events that will happen and be completed in the future by a certain time, or happen after another event is completed in the future.
It uses the auxiliary verb “haber” in the future tense followed by a past participle.

We use personal "a" when the direct object is a defined person or a group of defined persons.

Generally, pets are treated as a person in Spanish. The personal “a” is used when referring to a pet but not ordinary animals.

The “rabbit” in the above sentence is an ordinary animal that does not require the use of the personal “a”.

We use personal "a" when the direct object is a defined person or a group of defined persons.

However, if we refer generally and not specifically to a person, we do not use the personal “a”.

We use personal "a" when the direct object is a defined person or a group of defined persons.

However, if we refer generally and not specifically to a person, we do not use the personal “a”.

We use personal "a" when the direct object is a defined person or a group of defined persons.

Pronouns referring to person or persons are also treated in the same way as specific person(s) and the personal “a” is used.

When used as direct object referring to people the following pronouns require the use of personal “a”: “alguien” (somebody), “nadie” (nobody), “quien” (whom), “alguno” (some) and “ninguno” (none).

We use personal "a" when the direct object is a defined person or a group of defined persons.

We use personal "a" when the direct object is a defined person or a group of defined persons.

Pronouns referring to person or persons are also treated in the same way as specific person(s) and the personal “a” is used.

When used as direct object referring to people the following pronouns require the use of personal “a”: “alguien” (somebody), “nadie” (nobody), “quien” (whom), “alguno” (some) and “ninguno” (none).

We use personal "a" when the direct object is a defined person or a group of defined persons.

If a direct object is personified to express emotion or attachment, the personal “a” can be used to imply such emotion.

We use personal "a" when the direct object is a defined person or a group of defined persons.

Generally, pets are treated as a person in Spanish. The personal “a” is used when referring to a pet but not ordinary animals.

We use personal "a" when the direct object is a defined person or a group of defined persons.

We use personal "a" when the direct object is a defined person or a group of defined persons.