Category: Grammar Videos

These are videos that I have created to provide grammar instruction to my students outside of class time. They are meant to teach the basics of grammar – not necessarily language. I still believe that language is best acquired in context, however there are some benefits to direct language instruction. If you are like me and want to spend class time acquiring language, yet still provide some direct grammar instruction, these videos are for you!

Los pasados: The past tense in Spanish

Speaking in the past can be tricky in Spanish, especially because there are two past tenses. The videos below will first help you to form the past tenses and begin using them in context. Then we will explore the differences between these two tenses and more specifics on when to use them.

If this is tricky for you, don’t worry! Differentiating between the past tenses takes a lot of time and exposure to the Spanish language before it comes easily. So just keep reading!

el imperfecto de verbos de AR

The above video will show you the past tense endings for AR verbs, as well as introduce the irregular verb “ir”. After watching, give formation a go with this practice, then check your work.

el imperfecto de verbos de ER/IR

Now that you have learned the -AR endings, discover the -ER/-IR endings with the above video. For some practice, check here, and then go over your answers.

el pretérito de verbos de -AR

The above video explains how to take a regular -AR verb and change it to the past (preterit) tense. See how much you learned with this practice and then check your work.

el pretérito de verbos de -ER/-IR

Now that you have seen how to conjugate -AR verbs, check out -ER and -IR verbs with the above video. Afterwards, practice and check your work.

el pretérito de verbos con cambios

The Spanish preterit tense can be very tricky. There are a lot of irregulares and verbs that just change one letter – but only for certain subjects. Learn about those verbs with spelling changes in this video. Check out this practice and answer key. But also realize that it takes a while to internalize these rules, so be patient with yourself!

irregulares del pretérito parte A

These irregulares follow their own rules. Continued reading and practice will help you master them. Here is a practice for you to try and then you can check the answers.

Irregulares del pretérito, parte B

Even more irregulares means even more practice! Check your answers afterwards.

Las diferencias de los dos pasados

This practice is designed to help you begin to differentiate between the tenses and recognize the basics of which tense to use. Check your work and see where you need to make improvements.

Las diferencias de los dos pasados, parte B

You can continue your practice of the two past tenses with this worksheet. It is designed to help you identify the differences. If you get stuck, please check out the answer sheet for explanations in addition to answers.

Los tiempos compuestos: The Formation of Past Participles and the Perfect Tenses in Spanish

There is a reason that the verb “haber” is the most used in the Spanish language: it is the first half of the perfect tense! Watch the videos below to learn about the formation of past participles and then learn how to combine them with “haber”.

Los participios pasados

After learning about past participles, practice what you have learned, the check your answers. If you are in my college course, don’t forget about the practice quiz on Canvas!

Spanish present perfect tense (El tiempo compuesto del presente)

Discover how to conjugate the verb “haber” in the present tense, add a past participle and create the present perfect tense in Spanish. After watching the instructional video, check out this practice worksheet followed by checking the answers.

El pluscuamperfecto (tiempo compuesto del pasado)

The difference between “have” and “had” is whether the narrator is speaking in the present or past tense. The video above will walk you through how to say someone “had” (past) done something. Afterwards, see what you are able to understand and produce in this practice (don’t forget to check your answers!)

The Future and Conditional Tenses

Did you know that there are some words that don’t exist in Spanish? We create some verb tenses in English by adding words (such as will and would) while in Spanish these are their own verb tenses. Check out the videos on the Future (will) and Conditional (would) tenses below!

Learn how to form the future tense (“will”)

The best way to learn grammar is by seeing it in context through reading. However, drill practice (like you did with math in elementary school) can also be beneficial in training your brain. Give the future tense a try with this practice, and then check your answers to see how you did!

Learn how to form the Conditional Tense (“would”)

The word “would” does not exist in Spanish. So, how would you say it? You would use the conditional tense, of course! Watch the video above to learn how to form the conditional tense and then practice. As always, check your answers!

Present Tense Verbs

Many students struggle with verb conjugations in Spanish and other languages. This page will present a series of videos about how to change verbs in the present tense.

The first video is just about what conjugation is. Check it out!

What is conjugating?

Learn how to change verbs for the regular present tense:

Regular present tense verbs

Practice conjugating regular verbs in the present tense with this practice sheet. Then you can check your answers.

Irregular “yo” verbs

Some verbs have irregular forms. These verbs are just irregular when the subject is “yo” (I). Watch the video above and then practice! Don’t forget to check your answers.

Verbs with stem-changes: o-ue

Some verbs have changes within the root of the verb. The video above will walk you through which subjects do and don’t have this small change. After watching the video see what you learned with this practice sheet. Then check your answers to discover what you still need to work on.

Verbs with stem-changes: e-ie

These verbs make an e-ie change. Practice and check your answers!

Verbs with stem-changes: e-i

There are only a few common verbs with the e-i stem change. Try this short practice then check your answers to see if you understand.

Differences between the two verbs that mean “to be”: ser and estar

Ser and Estar can be pretty tricky to get down, so don’t feel frustrated if you don’t understand it all at first. There are basic differences and more nuanced differences as well. Studies have shown that differentiating between “ser” and “estar” can take years to do without thinking about it. At any rate, practice doesn’t hurt, so see what you understand with this worksheet and then check your answers.

El verbo “IR”

The verb “IR” may be small, but it is mighty. Watch the video to learn more about how “IR” in the present tense can be used to talk about the future and more. Then practice and check your answers.

Basic Grammar Videos

I am not a huge fan of focusing a lot of my in class time and energy on Spanish grammar. However, I do have to cover a lot of the basics in my dual-enrollment Spanish 111-112 course. So, I will be uploading videos here for my students, but feel free to use them for yours as well!

La pronunciación

la pronunciación de las vocales en español
La pronunciación de consonantes especiales en español.

El género de palabras

Gender of nouns in Spanish – Which “the” should I use?

Try practicing which “the” to use with this worksheet: El género de palabras en español (You can check your answers here)

Los artículos indefinidos y los plurales

Indefinite Articles and Plurals

Try practicing which “a” and “some” to use with this link: los artículos indefinidos (You can check your answers here)

Practice making nouns plural with this practice sheet: Palabras plurales (You can check your answers here)

Los pronombres

Subject pronouns

You can practice which pronouns to use with this practice sheet: los pronombres (You can check your answers here)

La posesión

Showing Possession

The only way to become comfortable with expressing possession in Spanish is through practice. Here are some activities to get you started: La posesión (You can check your answers here)

Los gustos

Expressing likes and dislikes.

Practice expressing likes and dislikes with this free worksheet: Los gustos (You can check your answers here)

Los adverbios

error

Enjoy this blog? Please spread the word :)