Spanish grammar

In this section we are going to learn the most important topics of Spanish grammar with the help of Don Quijote and Sancho Panza of a simple and very entertaining way. Next, you can practise what you have learned on the exercises pages.

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The Verbs - Part II

Time

The time of the verb expresses the moment in which the action is realized: in the past, in the present or in the future:

• Past: The action has been realized. Examples:
  Miguel de Cervantes was born in Alcala de Henares.
  It had approximately 55 years when he wrote The Quixotic.
• Present: The action is realized. Examples:
  Don Quijote of the Spot is the most important protagonist of the work.
  More than 30.000 tourists a year visit the native Cervantes house.
• Future: The action will be realized. Examples:
  The inn-keeper promises that it will find a place where don Quijote will be able to watch his weapon.

Simple times and Compound Times

The simple times are formed by only one verb. The compound times are formed by the verb to have and the participle of another verb.

Way	Simple times	Compound times
Indicative	Present	Past perfect
	Past imperfect	Past past perfect
	Past indefinite ¹	Past previous
	Future	Perfect future ²
	Conditional	Conditional compound
Subjunctive mood	Present	Past perfect
	Past imperfect	Past past perfect
	Future	Perfect future
Imperative	Present

1 - Past indefinite or Past perfect simple
2 - Compound perfect or Future future
3 - Very little secondhand times

Way

The verbal ways express the attitude of the speaker before the enunciated for the verb:

• Indicative way:
  The verbs in the indicative way express real facts. Ej:
  I am going to enter with them fierce and unequal battle.
  "The brave one of Brace" fights against a dog, as don Quijote will fight against sheep.
• Subjunctive way:
  The verbs in the subjunctive way express desire, doubt, probability and opinion. Ej:
  What good news …! I hope that it is true.
  What you do not achieve today, perhaps tomorrow you will achieve it.
• Imperative way:
  The verbs in the imperative way express orders, orders, instructions, recommendations. Ej:
  He is quiet, friendly Sancho.

Voice

A verb can appear in active voice or passive voice:

• Active voice:
  In the active voice the subject realizes the action. Ej:
  Salvador Dalí illustrated the most famous illustrated edition of the Quixotic.
• Passive voice:
  In the passive voice the subject does not realize the action, but it receives it. Ej:
  The most famous illustrated edition of the Quixotic was illustrated by Salvador Dalí.