In this article we will cover the 4 primary functions of the Past Participle in the Spanish language.
By understanding the 4 main uses, you should be able to improve your ability to write and speak in Spanish.
First of all, the past participle is frequently utilized in compound tenses while using auxiliary verb "haber" (to have).
As a student of Spanish, you have probably observed its use in the present perfect tense.
In that tense, we add it to a verb is after conjugating the verb "haber" in the present tense.
This tense is used to describe a previous or past action or event that is still taking place.
- Let's quickly examine how it is used: - Jose no ha hablado con la maestra.
- Jose has not spoken with the teacher.
- Hemos querido visitar Nueva York.
- We have wanted to visit New York.
- Ella no ha vuelto a Colombia.
- She has not returned to Colombia.
Secondly, the past participle may be used following the verbs "ser" or "estar" (to be) to indicate a condition.
You should also be aware that in this case, it is imperative that the past participle agrees with the subject's gender and number.
Take a look at these phrases: - La novia de Hector está herida.
- Hector´s girlfriend is injured/hurt.
- Su suegra está aburrida.
- Your mother-in-law is bored.
Thirdly, sometimes you will come across the verbs "tener" and/or "llevar" when they are used in place of the verb "haber" in compound tenses such as the present perfect tense.
In this instance, the past participle must agree with the characteristic's gender and number.
Let´s take a look at a couple of examples: Observe the following: - Llevo tres páginas leídas.
- I have three pages read.
- Tengo el libro entero leído.
- I have the whole book read.
And last of all, another use for it that you may hear among Spanish speakers is to use it as an adjective.
This is similar to how the past participle is often used in the English language.
When using it in this manner, the past participle serves as an adjective and must agree in gender and number with the noun that it modifies.
For example: - Una niña mimada - (A spoiled girl) - Una ventana abierta - An open window - Un plato cubierto - A covered plate - Una silla rota - A broken chair - Una carta escrita - A written letter
By understanding the 4 main uses, you should be able to improve your ability to write and speak in Spanish.
First of all, the past participle is frequently utilized in compound tenses while using auxiliary verb "haber" (to have).
As a student of Spanish, you have probably observed its use in the present perfect tense.
In that tense, we add it to a verb is after conjugating the verb "haber" in the present tense.
This tense is used to describe a previous or past action or event that is still taking place.
- Let's quickly examine how it is used: - Jose no ha hablado con la maestra.
- Jose has not spoken with the teacher.
- Hemos querido visitar Nueva York.
- We have wanted to visit New York.
- Ella no ha vuelto a Colombia.
- She has not returned to Colombia.
Secondly, the past participle may be used following the verbs "ser" or "estar" (to be) to indicate a condition.
You should also be aware that in this case, it is imperative that the past participle agrees with the subject's gender and number.
Take a look at these phrases: - La novia de Hector está herida.
- Hector´s girlfriend is injured/hurt.
- Su suegra está aburrida.
- Your mother-in-law is bored.
Thirdly, sometimes you will come across the verbs "tener" and/or "llevar" when they are used in place of the verb "haber" in compound tenses such as the present perfect tense.
In this instance, the past participle must agree with the characteristic's gender and number.
Let´s take a look at a couple of examples: Observe the following: - Llevo tres páginas leídas.
- I have three pages read.
- Tengo el libro entero leído.
- I have the whole book read.
And last of all, another use for it that you may hear among Spanish speakers is to use it as an adjective.
This is similar to how the past participle is often used in the English language.
When using it in this manner, the past participle serves as an adjective and must agree in gender and number with the noun that it modifies.
For example: - Una niña mimada - (A spoiled girl) - Una ventana abierta - An open window - Un plato cubierto - A covered plate - Una silla rota - A broken chair - Una carta escrita - A written letter
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