Present tense

Usage

The present tense in Spanish is used in several contexts, similar to its use in English. Here are the primary situations when the present tense is applied, along with examples for each case:

  1. Actions Happening Now:
    The present tense is used to describe actions that are currently happening or general truths.

    Estudio español. (I am studying Spanish.)
    Cantas muy bien. (You sing very well)

  2. Habitual Actions:
    It's also used for actions that happen regularly or habits.

    Vamos al gimnasio todos los días. (We go to the gym every day)
    Ella siempre desayuna a las 7 de la mañana. (She always has breakfast at 7 in the morning.)

  3. General Truths or Facts:
    The present tense is used to state facts or general truths.

    El agua hierve a 100 grados Celsius. (Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.)
    La Tierra gira alrededor del Sol. (The Earth revolves around the Sun.)

  4. Future Plans or Events (Scheduled or Certain Future):
    Spanish sometimes uses the present tense to indicate future plans or events that are seen as certain.

    Salgo mañana para Paris. (I am leaving for Paris tomorrow.)
    El tren sale a las ocho. (The train leaves at eight.)

  5. Instructions or Directions:
    When giving instructions or directions, the present tense is commonly used.

    Tomas la primera calle a la derecha. (Take the first street on the right.)
    Añades sal al gusto. (Add salt to taste.)

Conjugation

Regular Verbs Conjugation Table

Regular verbs in Spanish are divided into three groups based on their infinitive endings: -ar, -er, and -ir. Below is a table outlining the conjugation patterns for each group.

TerminaciónConjugaciónEjemplo
-ar-o, -as, -a, -amos, -áis, -anHablar (to speak)
Yo hablo
hablas
Él habla
Nosotros hablamos
Vosotros habláis
Ellos hablan
-er-o, -es, -e, -emos, -éis, -enComer (to eat)
Yo como
comes
Él come
Nosotros comemos
Vosotros coméis
Ellos comen
-ir-o, -es, -e, -imos, -ís, -enVivir (to live)
Yo vivo
vives
Él vive
Nosotros vivimos
Vosotros vivís
Ellos viven

Irregular Verbs Conjugation Table

Some verbs in Spanish have irregular conjugations in the presente tense. Below is a table outlining the conjugation patterns for some common irregular verbs.

VerboConjugación
Ser/Ir (to be/to go)Yo soy
eres
Él/Ella/Usted es
Nosotros somos
Vosotros sois
Ellos/as/Ustedes son
Tener (to have)Yo tengo
tienes
Él/Ella/Usted tiene
Nosotros tenemos
Vosotros tenéis
Ellos/as/Ustedes tienen
Estar (to be)Yo estoy
estás
Él/Ella/Usted está
Nosotros estamos
Vosotros estáis
Ellos/as/Ustedes están
Hacer (to do/make)Yo hago
haces
Él/Ella/Usted hace
Nosotros hacemos
Vosotros hacéis
Ellos/as/Ustedes hacen
Decir (to say)Yo digo
dices
Él/Ella/Usted dice
Nosotros decimos
Vosotros decís
Ellos/as/Ustedes dicen

Common Time Expressions Used with Present Tense

The present tense often appears with these time expressions:

  • siempre (always)
  • nunca (never)
  • a veces (sometimes)
  • todos los días (every day)
  • ahora (now)
  • en este momento (at this moment)
  • normalmente (normally)
  • generalmente (generally)
  • cada día/semana/mes (each day/week/month)

Examples

Yo hablo inglés y español. (I speak English and Spanish.)
Tú comes en ese restaurante frecuentemente. (You eat in that restaurant frequently.)
Él corre en el parque cada mañana. (He runs in the park every morning.)
Nosotros vivimos en México. (We live in Mexico.)
Ellos estudian para ser médicos. (They are studying to be doctors.)

Exercises