Verb Types

Question 1

What are the characteristics of the “Preterite”?

Answer 1

The Preterite is the main tense used to express actions that began and ended in the past. Like “I spoke with Martin”.

Question 2

What are the characteristics of the “Imperfect tense”?

Answer 2

The imperfect tense is used for actions that weren’t completed in the past, especially interrupted actions.

Question 3

What are the characteristics of the Present Tense?

Answer 3

The present tense is used to express conditions, present actions, habitual actions, possession, and relationships. Ex.: Yo hablo español. (I speak Spanish.)

Question 4

What are the characteristics of the Present Perfect tense?

Answer 4

The present perfect is the preferred form in Spain to describe past events; in Latin American Spanish, it connotes a sense of completion. Ex.: “Yo he hablado con la profesora” (I spoke with the professor) or (I have spoken with the professor)

Question 5

What are the characteristics of the Pluperfect?

Answer 5

The pluperfect is used in the context of a past narrative to indicate that an event (or condition) has occurred still earlier than other events in the more recent past. Ex.: “Mi madre me ofreció un sándwich, pero yo ya había comido” (My mother offered me a sandwich, but I had already eaten)

Question 6

What are the characteristics of the Future Tense?

Answer 6

The future tense is used to describe actions that will definitely happen at some later point in time. Ex.: “Mañana, yo hablaré con Miguel” (Tomorrow, I will speak with Miguel)

Question 7

What are the characteristics of the Conditional Tense?

Answer 7

The conditional mood is used to talk about possible and hypothetical situations that may or may not happen. It is often used in conjunction with the imperfect subjunctive. Ex.: “Si yo estudiara más, ya hablaría español mejor” (If I studied harder, I would speak Spanish better)

Question 8

What are the characteristics of the Conditional Mood?

Answer 8

The conditional mood is used to talk about possible and hypothetical situations that may or may not happen. It is often used in conjunction with the imperfect subjunctive. Ex.: “Si yo estudiara más, ya hablaría español mejor” (If I studied harder, I would speak Spanish better)

Question 9

What are the characteristics of the Imperfect Subjunctive?

Answer 9

The imperfect subjunctive is usually used in “if…then” constructions to denote a hypothetical situation. Ex.: “Si fuera possible, yo iría” (If it were possible, I would go)