spanish tenses

What is the Present tense (Presente) used for?

Actions happening now, habitual actions, general truths, and near future.

Example of Present tense

Yo hablo español. = I speak/am speaking Spanish.

What is the Preterite tense (Pretérito Indefinido) used for?

Completed actions in the past with a definite beginning or end.

Example of Preterite

Ayer comí pizza. = Yesterday I ate pizza.

What is the Imperfect tense (Pretérito Imperfecto) used for?

Habitual past actions, descriptions, age, time, weather, and ongoing background actions.

Example of Imperfect

Cuando era niño, jugaba al fútbol. = When I was a child, I used to play soccer.

Preterite vs. Imperfect

Preterite = completed event; Imperfect = ongoing, repeated, or descriptive past.

What is the Present Perfect (Pretérito Perfecto) used for?

Past actions connected to the present.

Example of Present Perfect

He terminado la tarea. = I have finished the homework.

Formula for Present Perfect

Haber (present) + past participle.

What is the Past Perfect (Pluscuamperfecto) used for?

An action completed before another past action.

Example of Past Perfect

Había salido antes de que llegaras. = I had left before you arrived.

Formula for Past Perfect

Haber (imperfect) + past participle.

What is the Future tense (Futuro Simple) used for?

Future actions, predictions, and probability.

Example of Future

Mañana estudiaré. = Tomorrow I will study.

Future tense endings

-é, -ás, -á, -emos, -éis, -án

What is the Conditional tense (Condicional Simple) used for?

Hypothetical situations, polite requests, and future from the past.

Example of Conditional

Me gustaría viajar. = I would like to travel.

Conditional endings

-ía, -ías, -ía, -íamos, -íais, -ían

What is the Present Progressive used for?

Actions happening right now.

Formula for Present Progressive

Estar + gerund (-ando / -iendo)

Example of Present Progressive

Estoy estudiando. = I am studying.

What is the Present Subjunctive used for?

Wishes, emotions, doubt, recommendations, necessity, and uncertainty.

Example of Present Subjunctive

Espero que tengas un buen día. = I hope you have a good day.

When is the Subjunctive commonly triggered?

After expressions of desire, emotion, doubt, impersonal expressions, or influence.

What is the Imperative (Commands) used for?

Giving commands, instructions, or advice.

Example of Imperative

Habla más despacio. = Speak more slowly.

Difference between Ser and Estar

Ser = permanent characteristics; Estar = temporary states and location.

Difference between Haber and Tener

Haber is an auxiliary verb for perfect tenses; Tener means "to have" (possession).

How do you form the regular past participle?

-ar → -ado, -er/-ir → -ido

How do you form the regular gerund?

-ar → -ando, -er/-ir → -iendo

What tense is used after "ayer"?

Usually the Preterite.

What tense is used for age in the past?

Imperfect.

What tense is used with "si" hypothetical clauses?

Conditional in the main clause (often with imperfect subjunctive in the if-clause).

Example of Conditional sentence

Si tuviera tiempo, viajaría. = If I had time, I would travel.