Past Simple
Form
Verb + -ed / irregular verbs
Uses
- A completed action in the past
- They developed this device last year.
- I didn’t go online yesterday.
- Did she buy that tablet last week?
- Consecutive actions
- He turned on the computer and went online.
Time Expressions
Yesterday, last week / year, two days ago, in 2004, in the 15th century, when, then
Past Continuous
Form
Was / Were + verb + -ing
Uses
- An action in progress in the past
- At midnight, I was watching a video.
- An action in progress interrupted by another action
- She was working on her project when the computer crashed.
- Two actions in progress at the same time in the past
- While Pete was downloading the film, I was making popcorn.
- A description of a scene
- They were trying to solve the problem.
Time Expressions
Last night / week, at 3:00, when, while, as
Present Simple
Form
Base form / verb + -s
Uses
- An action that happens regularly
- She often posts updates on Facebook.
- A general truth
- This app doesn’t work well.
- A thought, feeling or expectation (a stative verb)
- Do you want to buy this gadget?
Adverbs of Frequency / Time Expressions
Always, usually, generally, regularly, often, frequently, sometimes, occasionally, rarely, seldom, never, every day / week, on Mondays, once a month, at 1:00, at night, in the morning, How often…?
Present Continuous
Form
Am / is / are + verb + -ing
Uses
- An action happening now
- I am uploading photos right now.
- A temporary action
- He isn’t studying robotics this year.
- A definite plan for the near future
- Are you starting your project tomorrow?
Time Expressions
Now, right now, at the moment, this year, at present, today, these days, this evening, tonight, tomorrow, next Sunday / week / year
Future Simple
Subject + will + main verb
Past Perfect
Subject + had + past participle
Past participle: verb + -ed
Modal Verbs
Can: This verb can have various translations, depending on its context, but the most common are puedes, pueden, puedo, sé, sabe, sabes. For example:
- Forgive me, can you tell me what time it is? Disculpa, ¿puedes decirme qué hora es?
- I can cook pizza. Yo sé cocinar pizza.
- He can’t speak of my nervousness. No puedo hablar de mi nerviosismo.
Could: This verb (past of “can”) can be translated as podía or podías. It also establishes possibility as podríamos. For example:
- We could meet up today. Podríamos encontrarnos hoy.
- Could you call your mom, please? ¿Podrías llamar a tu mamá, por favor?
May: Its translations are puede, puede que, puedes or puedo. It is used as follows:
- May I speak now? ¿Puedo hablar ahora?
- We may go to college tomorrow. Puede que vayamos mañana a la universidad.
Might: It is also a variation or synonym of the verb “may”, and its use will vary in context. Essentially, its translations are puede que, podría or podrías.
- He might come tonight. Puede que él venga esta noche.
- You might as well try to open and get in the car. Podrías intentar abrirlo y subir al coche.
Will: It is used to express something that we should do, expect, etc. in a future time. Its translation will depend a lot on the context and the verb. For example, it can be translated as:
- You will find it. Lo encontrarás.
Would: It is translated in multiple ways to arrange or comment on a recurring behavior in the past, and to ask someone to perform an action. It is used as follows:
- Would you please close our windows? ¿Podrías por favor cerrar nuestras ventanas?
- When I was in Spain, I would speak Spanish. Cuando estaba en España, hablaba español.
Must: Its literal translation would be necesito or tengo qué. However, it will depend a lot on the verb that accompanies it since it can imply assumptions, as you can see here:
- You must be joking. Debes estar bromeando.
- Maybe, she must have done something. Quizás, ella debió hacer algo.
Shall: It is not a very common modal verb due to its formalism. Its translation is identical to that of the verb will. Let’s see how it is applied:
- We shall dance together soon, my lady. Pronto bailaremos juntos, señorita.
Should: The most common translation for this modal verb is debería or deberías. Some examples of how it is used:
- You should listen to me. Deberías escucharme.
- Should she doesn’t back? ¿Ella no debería volver?
Ought to: This is a synonym of the modal verb should, and its translation is the same. Here is an example:
- I ought to practice more piano. Debería practicar más el piano.
“Get used to” / “Be used to” + -ing or noun
Conditionals
Zero Conditional
It is formed with two verbs in the present tense, one in the main clause and the other in the subordinate clause (if clause).
If + present simple, … present simple.
This conditional is used for universal truths.
- If you eat too much, you get fat. Si comes mucho, engordas.
- If you scare a snake, it bites you. Si asustas a una serpiente, te muerde.
First Conditional
It is formed with a verb in the future in the main clause and with another in the present in the subordinate clause.
If + present simple, … will + infinitive.
This type is used to talk about real or possible situations.
- If you park here, you will get a fine. Si aparcas aquí, te van a multar.
Second Conditional
This conditional is formed with would followed by the infinitive in the main clause and another in the past in the subordinate clause.
If + past simple, … would + infinitive.
This structure has two uses. The first is to talk about situations in the future that are not likely to occur, for example:
- If I won the lottery, I would spend my life traveling. Si ganara la lotería, me pasaría la vida viajando.
In this sense, conditionals are used to talk about our dreams, our wishes, etc.
The second use is to talk about situations in the present that cannot occur, because they are impossible. It will be better seen with an example:
- If I were younger, I would travel more. Si fuera más joven, viajaría más.
Third Conditional
This conditional is formed with a verb in the past participle and preceded by would + have in the main clause and another in the past perfect in the subordinate clause.
If + past perfect, … would + have + past participle.
It is used to talk about the past, describing a situation that did not happen and its possible consequences. For example:
- If I had woken up earlier, I would have arrived on time. Si me hubiera levantado antes, habría llegado a tiempo.
These are hypothetical situations that can no longer be changed. They are often used to talk about our regrets, but not only that! Also about situations in which the result was positive.
- If I had stayed in my hometown, I would have never found my job. Si me hubiese quedado en mi ciudad, jamás habría encontrado mi trabajo.