Lección 11

Paquita y Sara

Sequence of Tenses with the Subjunctive

Main ClausePresent

Future

Present Perfect

Future Perfect

Command

Preterite

Imperfect

Conditional

Pluperfect

Conditional Perfect

Dependent Clause

Present Subjunctive

or

Present Perfect Subjunctive

Imperfect Subjunctive

or

Pluperfect Subjunctive

Sequence of Tenses

The chart shows the uses of tenses in main and dependent clauses, however there are times when the main clause verb is in the present, the imperfect subjunctive may be used in the dependent clause to refer to an action that has already occurred (siento que no pudieras jugar al tenis = I’m sorry that you were not able to play tennis)

Uses of Definite Articles (el, la, los, las)

Before nouns or normalized adjectives used in a general sense, as well as with nouns dealing with concepts and abstractions (Los toreros tienen que ser valientes)

With days of the week (except after ser), seasons, meals, hours, and dates

With the names of languages (except after hablar and verbs of learning) or prepositions de or en

Uses of Definite Articles(el, la, los, las)

With titles (except when speaking directly to the person or before don, doña, fray, sor, san(to), santa)

Before certain geographical names (although often omitted in the press and in colloquial speech)

With clothing and body parts when ownership is established by the subject (Levanten la mano si saben la repuesta)

Uses of Indefinite Articles(un, una, unos, unas)

Before a noun that has not been identified previously (hubo un president que era aficionado a las canicas)

Before a noun that is modified (Los mayas tuvieronuna civilización impresionante)

Infinite Articles

The infinite article is omitted in the following situations: After the verb ser when referring to an

unmodified noun that indentifies professions, occupations, nationalities, ranks, and affiliations (Ella es profesora de italiano)

Before cien, ciento, mil, and cierto/a After medio/a, tal, and ¡qué…!

Uses of Gerund and the Infinitive

As a noun English: gerund

• Watching a soccer game can be exiting• No smoking

As an adjective English: gerund

• It was an entertaining contest• Bingo is a thrilling game of chance

As an adverb English: gerund

• We did the tour walking• She answered the question smiling

Spanish: infinitive• Mirar un partido de futból puede se emocionante• No fumar

Spanish: adjective• Fue in certamen entretenido• El bingo es un juego de azar emocionante

Spanish: gerund• Hicimos la gira caminando• Contestaba la pregunta sonriendo