- What is Verb Conjugation?
- Four Advanced Verb Conjugation Concepts in Spanish
- How to Learn Spanish Verb Conjugation
Wouldn't it be great if you could master every Spanish verb conjugation rule in one go?
The thing is, articles that claim to cover everything likely only teach you the conjugation rules for verb tense. If you're an advanced Spanish student, you know those already!
What you need is all the advanced concepts in one place.
That's why we've created this Spanish verb conjugation guide for advanced learners. Read on to understand what verb conjugation is and four concepts advanced learners must know.
What is Verb Conjugation?
Verb conjugation is how we change a verb so it agrees with the subject of the sentence.
Beginners study this subject without even realising it! For example, the way we change a verb in the past, present, and future tense is an example of conjugation.
Once you understand the basic concepts of Spanish verbs, it's time to study the advanced concepts that'll get you speaking like a native.
Four Advanced Verb Conjugation Concepts in Spanish
The four advanced verb conjugation subjects you need to learn are:
- Tense
- Mood
- Voice
- Aspect
We're sure you know several of the tense rules already. But to make your speech come to life - and enable you to understand native speakers - you need to know all four.
Learn how each of them affects verb conjugation below.
1. Verb Tense
Once you move on from past, present, and future, you'll learn there are over a dozen verb tenses in Spanish! These verb tenses combine three factors:
- Temporality
- Mood
- Aspect
Temporality is the past, present, future factor you've likely learned already. We'll discuss mood and aspect separately below. But to get started on learning about each of the tenses and how they affect Spanish verb conjugation, try out our Spanish verb tense guide with exercises!
Get a quick preview with these fill-in-the-blanks exercises:
2. Verb Mood
When we first learn a language, we often speak in statements and the indicative mood is always used in these cases. With the indicative we "declare" things in a more objective way:
Los martes voy a la piscina.
On Tuesdays I go to the pool.
No me gustan las espinacas.
I do not like spinach.
Pedro se torció el tobillo ayer.
Pedro sprained his ankle yesterday.
You probably know verb conjugation rules for the indicative mood already. But there are two more verb moods to learn!
- Subjunctive mood – for hypotheticals
- Imperative mood – for commands, instructions, and giving permission
As you can see, these two additional moods let you add depth and flavour to your speech. Learn how to use them with our Spanish verb mood guide with exercises!
Test your knowledge with our exercises about verb moods:- Writing Challenges:
- A Christmas cocktail (imperative)
- Eating out (present subjunctive)
- Dictations:
- Chipirones en su tinta (imperative / present subjunctive)
- Perdida (imperative / present subjunctive)
- Fill-in-the-blanks:
- El tenista Carlos Alcaraz (imperfect / perfect subjunctive)
3. Verb Voice
Every time you conjugate a verb in a sentence, you're already using the concept of verb voice. Usually, and especially when we're starting to speak in a new language, we use the active voice, that is where a subject performs the action of the verb.
But to take your skills to the next level, you need to study the passive voice as well. The passive voice, in contrast, expresses that a subject undergoes a verb.
Learning verb conjugation rules for the passive voice will allow you to use it correctly and understand native speakers too! Get practising with our Spanish verb voice guide with exercises.
Here are some exercises to get you warmed up on the topic of verb voice:- Fill-in-the-blanks:
- Writing challenge:
- Bilingual Reader:
4. Verb Aspect
Verb aspect lets you express how a verb happens in relation to the passage of time. This detail includes not whether it's in the past, present, or future, but focuses on whether it's:
- Complete
- Incomplete
- Ongoing
- Habitual or regular
Knowing how to use aspect, lets you add far more detail to your speech. Learn the four aspects and how they influence verb conjugation with our Spanish verb aspect guide with exercises!
How to Learn Spanish Verb Conjugation
Now you understand the concepts, where should you start?
Rather than endlessly studying the rules, use our lessons and exercises to practise what you learn as you go. That's how you make the study stick!
Once you've got the hang of one of the Spanish verb conjugation concepts, tackle the next. And use your free kwizzes along the way so Kwizbot can track your progress and target your learning!
Would you like access to unlimited exercises and kwizzes designed just for you? Then sign up for a Kwiziq account today!
