2000+ Spanish Irregular Verbs - Hackvalue

4. Definitions of tenses
a. Present tense [presente]
Indicates an action that occurs at a present time;
I see a man Veo un hombre
Refer to regular activities or ongoing states;
I see a man every evening Veo un hombre todas las tardes.
In certain circumstances, to refer to the future or the past.
I see a man tomorrow. Mañana veo un hombre.
b. Present Continuous [presente continuo]
Indicates an action that is in the process of being performed.
I am (at this moment) working. Estoy trabajando
c. Imperfect [pretérito imperfecto]
The imperfect tense is used to refer to actions in the past that occurred repeatedly.
I used to walk every day. Caminaba cada día.
The imperfect tense is also used to refer to actions in the past that occurred over an extended period
of time.
I used to eat paella frequently Comía frecuentemente paella.
The imperfect tense is also used to "set the stage" for an event that occurred in the past.
We were coming home when we saw Juan .Veníamos para casa cuando vimos a Juan.
Actions which are not physical, that is feelings and mental actions, usually use the imperfect tense.
Juan was feeling sick. Juan estaba enfermo.
d. Present perfect [pretérito perfecto]
2000+ Spanish Irregular Verbs - 2nd Edition
The perfect tense is frequently used for past actions that continue into the present, or continue to
affect the present.
I have been in Madrid for two weeks. He estado dos semanas en Madrid.
Diego has been my friend for 20 years. Diego ha sido mi amigo por veinte años.
The perfect is formed by combining the auxiliary verb "has" or "have" with the past participle.
I have studied. He estudiado
He has written a letter to María. Ha escrito una carta a María.
We have been stranded for six days. Hemos sido desamparar durante seis días.
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