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Spanish I - Irregular Verbs in the Present Tense

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    Study Guide Spanish I – Irregular Verbs in the Present Tense 1. Quiz: Stem - Changing Verbs in the Present Tense 1. Question Ella closes la ventana. Answer Choices • cierra • niega • empieza Correct Answer cierra Why This Is Correct The verb cerrar means “to close.” In the present tense, ella cierra translates directly to “she closes.” • niega = denies • empieza = begins So, cierra is the correct choice because it matches the meaning of the sentence exactly. 2. Question ¿Qué piensa (Ud.) del presidente?

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    Study Guide Answer Choices • piensan • piensas • piensa Correct Answer piensa Why This Is Correct In Spanish, “Ud.” (usted) uses third - person singular verb forms , even though it means “you.” The verb pensar in the present tense, third - person singular, is piensa . • Ud. piensa = You (formal) think • Tú piensas = You (informal) think • Ellos piensan = They think So, the correct sentence is: ¿Qué piensa Ud. del presidente? 3. Question Nosotros understand el dilema. Answer Choices • entendemos • entienden • entiendo Correct Answer entendemos

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    Study Guide Why This Is Correct The subject “Nosotros” means “we.” In Spanish, the verb entender (to understand) is conjugated as entendemos for nosotros in the present tense. • entiendo = I understand (yo) • entienden = they understand (ellos/ellas/ustedes) • entendemos = we understand (nosotros) So, the correct sentence is: Nosotros entendemos el dilema. 4. Question Mi hijo no ___ nunca. Answer Choices • miente • mientas • mienten Correct Answer miente Why This Is Correct The subject “Mi hijo” is third person singular , so the correct present - tense conjugation of mentir is miente . • miente = he lies • mientas = tú form (or used in the subjunctive) • mienten = they lie Since the sentence is a simple present - tense statement , miente is the correct choice.

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    Study Guide 5. Question El no can hablar árabe. Answer Choices • prueba • puede • vuela Correct Answer puede Why This Is Correct The correct verb is puede , which is the third - person singular form of poder (to be able to / can). The sentence means: He cannot speak Arabic. • puede = can / is able to → correct • prueba = tries/tests → incorrect meaning • vuela = flies → incorrect meaning Correct sentence: Él no puede hablar árabe. 6. Question El bebé no sleep toda la noche. Answer Choices • juega • duerme • viene

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    Study Guide Correct Answer duerme Why This Is Correct The sentence needs the correct Spanish verb for “sleep.” The verb dormir (to sleep) conjugated for él/ella/usted is duerme . So the correct sentence is: El bebé no duerme toda la noche. (The baby does not sleep all night.) The other options do not fit the meaning: • juega = plays • viene = comes 7 . Question En la fiesta las chicas ___ mucho. Answer Choices • ríen • siguen • miden Correct Answer ríen Why This Is Correct The verb reír means to laugh . In this sentence, “las chicas” is third person plural, so the correct present - tense conjugation is ríen .

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    Study Guide • ríen = they laugh • siguen = they follow • miden = they measure So the complete and correct sentence is: En la fiesta las chicas ríen mucho. 2. Confusing Verbs: Determining Which Verb to Use 2.1 Ser vs. Estar — Both Mean “To Be,” But Not the Same In English, we use “to be” for many situations. In Spanish, there are two different verbs : • Ser • Estar Both mean “to be,” but they describe different types of situations . Ser: For More Permanent or Defining Traits Ser is used for things that are long - lasting, defining, or essential . To make this easier, we use an acronym: C - NOTE (Reasons for Using Ser)

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    Study Guide Use ser for: • C – Characteristics • Physical or personality traits • Ellos son altos y delgados. • (They are tall and thin.) • N – Nationality / Origin • Where someone is from • Lolita es Colombiana. • (Lolita is Colombian.) • O – Occupation • Jobs or professions • Su padre es abogado. • (His father is a lawyer.) • T – Time • Telling time or dates • Son las cinco y media. • (It’s five thirty.) • E – Event location • Where an event takes place • La fiesta es en mi casa. • (The party is at my house.) Important Note: The “E” stands for Event location , which is an exception to the location rule you’ll see with estar . 2.2 Estar: For Temporary Conditions and Situations Estar is usually used for temporary states , feelings, or locations.

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    Study Guide To remember this, use the acronym: TLF (Reasons for Using Estar) Use estar for: • T – Temporary conditions • States that can change • La comida está caliente. • (The food is hot.) • L – Location (not events) • Where something or someone is located • El parque está aquí. • (The park is here.) • F – Feelings, emotions, and health • How someone feels • Estoy nerviosa durante un examen. • (I am nervous during a test.) Reminder: Even though locations don’t always feel temporary, buildings and places still use estar . Only events use ser for location.

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    Study Guide 2.3 Conocer vs. Saber — Both Mean “To Know” In English, we use “to know” for many ideas. In Spanish, there are two different verbs , and each has a specific use. Conocer: To Be Acquainted With Use conocer when you mean: • Knowing a person • Being familiar with a place • Being acquainted with something When conocer is followed by a person, it uses the preposition a . Examples: • Yo conozco a Manuel. • I know (am acquainted with) Manuel. • Conoces bien la ciudad de Guatemala. • You are familiar with Guatemala City. Saber: To Know a Fact or How to Do Something Use saber when talking about: • Facts or information • Knowing how to do something Saber is often followed by an infinitive (verb ending in - ar, - er, or - ir). In Spanish, you do not say the word “how” — it is understood. In the preterite tense , saber means “found out.” Examples: • Sabes construir una casa muy bien. • You know how to build a house very well. • Yo sé la dirección. • I know the address.

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    Study Guide • No vamos a la piscina porque no sabemos nadar. • We don’t go to the pool because we don’t know how to swim. 2.4 Llevar, Tomar, and Sacar — Different Ways to Say “To Take” The English verb “to take” can mean many things. Spanish uses different verbs depending on what is being taken . Llevar: To Take or Carry From One Place to Another Use llevar when you mean transporting a person or an object . If a person is taken somewhere, llevar uses the preposition a . Examples: • Marla lleva a su sobrina a la playa. • Marla takes her niece to the beach. • Juan y Andrés llevan los refrescos a la fiesta. • Juan and Andrés take the drinks to the party. • Llevas a un amigo a la fiesta. • You are taking a friend to the party. Tomar: To Take Transportation or Consume Something Use tomar when you: • Take a means of transportation • Take something by mouth (food, drinks, medicine) Examples: • Él nunca toma un taxi. • He never takes a taxi. • Es importante tomar vitaminas. • It’s important to take vitamins. • Toman muchas bebidas frías durante el verano.

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