El tiempo presente
Modals
In English we use modals, or the use of verb phrases to communicate frequently. We use them to communicate about obligations we have, what we are going to do in the immediate future, what should be done, etc.
In English and Spanish, when we use two verbs to communicate an idea, the first verb is what conjugates and the second verb will stay in the infinitive form. Nothing will ever go between the two verbs. When you make the statement negative, the "no" goes before the first verb.
In English and Spanish, when we use two verbs to communicate an idea, the first verb is what conjugates and the second verb will stay in the infinitive form. Nothing will ever go between the two verbs. When you make the statement negative, the "no" goes before the first verb.
Here are some examples:
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Yo tengo que ver el maestro en la mañana.
I have to see the teacher in the morning. Nosotros no queremos comer en el nuevo restaurante. We don't want to eat at the new restaurant. Marcos necesita ir de compras antes de la cena esta noche. Marcos needs to go shopping before dinner tonight. Héctor prefiere navegar en bote con sus amigos este fin de semana. Hector prefers to go boating with his friends this weekend. |
In many cases, you have to be careful about wanting to translate word for word from one language to another. This will work some of the time, and will not in much of the time. For those cases it is important to understand that you will need to understand the meaning behind what is being communicated and translate the image or idea, and not so much the words.
With these two examples below, you can see that in Spanish they follow the two verb rule (first verb conjugates and the second one stays in the infinitive), but in English we don't see it represented the exactly the same way. This is where the grammar differs between the two languages.
With these two examples below, you can see that in Spanish they follow the two verb rule (first verb conjugates and the second one stays in the infinitive), but in English we don't see it represented the exactly the same way. This is where the grammar differs between the two languages.
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¡Él sabe tocar la guitarra muy bien!
He knows how to play the guitar well! Alex no puede venir a la fiesta este fine de semana. Alex can't come to the party this weekend. Mi hermana debe estudiar para el examen. My sister should study for the test. |
Ir a + infinitive = communicates events in the immediate future (according to the communicator)
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Mi familia y yo vamos a visitar el parque de diversiones este fin de semana.
My family and I are going to visit the amusement park this weekend. Mi hermano menor, Felix, no va a bajar el tobogán de agua porque tiene mucho miedo. My younger brother, Felix, is not going to go down the water slide because he is scared. |
Acabar de + infinitive = communicates events in the immediate past
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Mi papá y mi hermano mayor acaban de encender una fogata para cocinar.
My dad and my older brother just lit a fire for cooking. Javier, ¿no acabas de textear a tu novia hace un rato? Javier, didn't you just text your girlfriend a moment ago? |
Tener que + infinitive = communicates an obligation (to have to do something)
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Yo tengo que hacer mi tarea esta noche, entonces no puedo ir a la fiesta.
I have to do my homework tonight, so I won't be able to to go to the party. Nacho no tiene que pagar la cuenta por que yo tengo dinero. Nacho has to pay the bill because I don't have any money. |
