1 Spanish Verb Forms
Understanding the basic function of different verb forms in Spanish will ultimately help you differentiate between the indicative and subjunctive.
Indicative
We use the indicative to assert, suppose, or predict an idea.
| assert: | Eli anda en bici ahora. | Eli’s riding his bike now. |
| supposing: | Eli andará en bici ahora. | I bet Eli is riding his bike now. |
| — | Me imagino que Eli anda en bici ahora. | I imagine Eli is riding his bike now. |
| predicting: | Eli va a andar en bici mañana. | Eli’s going to ride his bike tomorrow. |
Infinitive
We use the infinitive to simply mention an idea.
| Flor quiere tomar mate. | Flor wants to drink mate. |
| We don’t assert anything with the verb tomar, we only mention the activity. We do assert Flor’s intention with “quiere“. | |
| Está prohibido fumar acá. | Smoking isn’t permitted here. |
| We don’t assert anything with the verb fumar, we only mention this activity. We do assert that the activity is prohibited, but we make that assertion with “está“. |
Subjunctive
We use the subjunctive to make a comment about an idea from a virtual perspective.
| Quiero que me ayudes a entender el subjuntivo. | I want you to help me understand the subjunctive. |
| We only comment the idea “ayudes” (you/help) from a virtual perspective. We don’t assert the action. The only assertion we make is “quiero“. | |
| Busco ropa que sea cómoda. | I’m looking for clothes that are comfortable. |
| We only mention “ropa que sea cómoda” (clothing that is comfortable) from a virtual perspective because we haven’t identified the actual clothing, only the idea of it. | |
| Andá a comprar antes de que llueva, por favor. |
Go to the store before it rains, please. |
| We only mention the idea “llueva” (raining) from a virtual perspective in relation to the time of the action “andá a comprar”. |
Imperative
We use the imperative to express an idea as a request or suggestion.
| Vení a tomar un matecito conmigo. | Come drink a mate with me. |
| ¡Dejen de hacer tanto ruido! | Stop making so much noise! |
EJERCICIO 1.1