Guide to Spanish Tenses From Present to Future with Examples
In this guide, we will explain six key tenses using simple example sentences, each one showing how the tense changes with the same sentence. This approach will make it easier to comprehend and remember how each tense is formed and used. By the end, you’ll have a clear overview of when to use each tense and how to practice them effectively.
When to use and form each tense
Present Tense / Tiempo Presente
Used to describe actions that happen regularly, are happening now, or general truths
To form: Conjugate the verb by removing the infinitive ending (-ar, -er, -ir) and adding the appropriate present tense endings
Learn more about the Present Tense rule
Preterite Tense / Tiempo Pretérito
Used for completed actions in the past
To form: Remove the infinitive ending and add the preterite endings specific to -ar, -er, and -ir verbs
Explore the Preterite Tense rule and practice with Preterite exercises
Imperfect Tense / Tiempo Imperfecto
Describes habitual or ongoing past actions
To form: Drop the infinitive ending and add imperfect endings for -ar, -er, and -ir verbs
Discover more about the Imperfect Tense rule
Present Subjunctive / Presente Subjuntivo
Expresses desires, doubts, uncertainty, or hypothetical situations
To form: Start with the present indicative "yo" form, drop the "o," and add the opposite vowel endings (-ar verbs take -e endings, -er/-ir take -a endings)
Learn more about the Present Subjunctive rule
Past Participle / Participio Pasado
Used in perfect tenses and as an adjective
To form: Remove the verb ending and add -ado for -ar verbs and -ido for -er/-ir verbs
Check out more about the Past Participle rule and practice with Past Participle exercises
Future Tense / Tiempo Futuro
Describes actions that will happen in the future
To form: Keep the entire infinitive and add future tense endings
Learn more about the Future Tense rule and practice with Future Tense exercises
Now that we've covered the basics of when to use each tense, let's look at how the same sentence changes across these six tenses. This will give you a clearer understanding of how Spanish verbs are conjugated and used in context. Below, each sentence is shown in all six tenses for easy comparison.
I eat an apple / Yo como una manzana
| Tense | English | Spanish |
|---|---|---|
| Present | I eat an apple | Yo como una manzana |
| Preterite | I ate an apple | Yo comí una manzana |
| Imperfect | I used to eat an apple | Yo comía una manzana |
| Present Subjunctive | I hope you eat an apple | Espero que comas una manzana |
| Past Participle | I have eaten an apple | Yo he comido una manzana |
| Future | I will eat an apple | Yo comeré una manzana |
You drive a car / Tú conduces un coche
| Tense | English | Spanish |
|---|---|---|
| Present | You drive a car | Tú conduces un coche |
| Preterite | You drove a car | Tú condujiste un coche |
| Imperfect | You used to drive a car | Tú conducías un coche |
| Present Subjunctive | I hope you drive a car | Espero que conduzcas un coche |
| Past Participle | You have driven a car | Tú has conducido un coche |
| Future | You will drive a car | Tú conducirás un coche |
He drinks coffee / Él bebe un café
| Tense | English | Spanish |
|---|---|---|
| Present | He drinks coffee | Él bebe un café |
| Preterite | He drank coffee | Él bebió un café |
| Imperfect | He used to drink coffee | Él bebía un café |
| Present Subjunctive | I doubt he drinks coffee | Dudo que beba un café |
| Past Participle | He has drunk coffee | Él ha bebido un café |
| Future | He will drink coffee | Él beberá un café |
We live in Spain / Nosotros vivimos en España
| Tense | English | Spanish |
|---|---|---|
| Present | We live in Spain | Nosotros vivimos en España |
| Preterite | We lived in Spain | Nosotros vivimos en España |
| Imperfect | We used to live in Spain | Nosotros vivíamos en España |
| Present Subjunctive | I hope we live in Spain | Espero que vivamos en España |
| Past Participle | We have lived in Spain | Nosotros hemos vivido en España |
| Future | We will live in Spain | Nosotros viviremos en España |
They run on the track / Ellos corren en la pista
| Tense | English | Spanish |
|---|---|---|
| Present | They run on the track | Ellos corren en la pista |
| Preterite | They ran on the track | Ellos corrieron en la pista |
| Imperfect | They used to run on the track | Ellos corrían en la pista |
| Present Subjunctive | I hope they run on the track | Espero que corran en la pista |
| Past Participle | They have run on the track | Ellos han corrido en la pista |
| Future | They will run on the track | Ellos correrán en la pista |
You (formal) buy groceries / Usted compra víveres
| Tense | English | Spanish |
|---|---|---|
| Present | You (formal) buy groceries | Usted compra víveres |
| Preterite | You (formal) bought groceries | Usted compró víveres |
| Imperfect | You (formal) used to buy groceries | Usted compraba víveres |
| Present Subjunctive | I recommend you buy groceries | Recomiendo que usted compre víveres |
| Past Participle | You (formal) have bought groceries | Usted ha comprado víveres |
| Future | You (formal) will buy groceries | Usted comprará víveres |
Conclusion
By understanding the different Spanish tenses and seeing how they affect the same sentence, you'll have a clearer grasp of how verb conjugations work. These six tenses are foundational to speaking Spanish fluently and confidently. Be sure to follow the links for in-depth explanations of each tense and practice exercises to solidify your learning!
