Question 1

What is the difference between 'ser' and 'estar' in Spanish?

Accepted Answer

'Ser' is used for permanent or inherent characteristics, such as identity, origin, profession, and physical traits. For example, 'Soy inglés' (I am English) or 'Es alto' (He is tall). 'Estar' is used for temporary states or conditions, such as location, mood, and health. For example, 'Estoy en casa' (I am at home) or 'Está cansado' (He is tired). A helpful mnemonic is DOCTOR for ser (Description, Occupation, Characteristic, Time, Origin, Relation) and PLACE for estar (Position, Location, Action, Condition, Emotion).

Question 2

How do I conjugate regular verbs in the present tense in Spanish?

Accepted Answer

To conjugate regular verbs, remove the infinitive ending (-ar, -er, -ir) and add the appropriate endings. For -ar verbs (e.g., hablar): yo hablo, tú hablas, él/ella habla, nosotros hablamos, vosotros habláis, ellos/ellas hablan. For -er verbs (e.g., comer): yo como, tú comes, él/ella come, nosotros comemos, vosotros coméis, ellos/ellas comen. For -ir verbs (e.g., vivir): yo vivo, tú vives, él/ella vive, nosotros vivimos, vosotros vivís, ellos/ellas viven. Practise with common verbs like 'estudiar', 'beber', and 'escribir'.

Question 3

What are stem-changing verbs and how do they work?

Accepted Answer

Stem-changing verbs are verbs where the vowel in the stem changes when conjugated, except in the nosotros and vosotros forms. There are three types: e->ie (e.g., querer: quiero, quieres, quiere, queremos, queréis, quieren), o->ue (e.g., poder: puedo, puedes, puede, podemos, podéis, pueden), and e->i (e.g., pedir: pido, pides, pide, pedimos, pedís, piden). These changes occur in all present tense forms except nosotros and vosotros. Common examples include 'jugar' (u->ue: juego, juegas, juega, jugamos, jugáis, juegan) and 'dormir' (o->ue: duermo, duermes, duerme, dormimos, dormís, duermen).

Question 4

How do I use the near future tense in Spanish?

Accepted Answer

The near future tense is formed with the present tense of 'ir' (to go) + 'a' + the infinitive of the main verb. For example, 'Voy a estudiar' (I am going to study), 'Vas a comer' (You are going to eat), 'Va a viajar' (He/She is going to travel). This tense is very common in spoken Spanish and is used to talk about plans or actions that will happen soon. It is easier than the future tense and is often tested in GCSE writing and speaking tasks. Remember to conjugate 'ir' correctly: voy, vas, va, vamos, vais, van.

Question 5

What are reflexive verbs and how do I use them?

Accepted Answer

Reflexive verbs indicate that the subject performs an action on themselves. They are formed with a reflexive pronoun (me, te, se, nos, os, se) before the verb. For example, 'levantarse' (to get up): me levanto, te levantas, se levanta, nos levantamos, os levantáis, se levantan. Common reflexive verbs include 'acostarse' (to go to bed), 'ducharse' (to shower), and 'vestirse' (to get dressed). In the infinitive, the 'se' is attached to the end, but when conjugated, the pronoun goes before the verb. For example, 'Quiero ducharme' (I want to shower) but 'Me ducho' (I shower).

Question 6

How do I use 'gustar' correctly in Spanish?

Accepted Answer

'Gustar' means 'to please', so the subject of the sentence is the thing that is liked, and the indirect object pronoun (me, te, le, nos, os, les) indicates who likes it. For example, 'Me gusta el libro' (The book pleases me = I like the book). If the thing liked is plural, use 'gustan': 'Me gustan los libros' (I like books). To emphasise or clarify who likes it, you can add 'a mí', 'a ti', etc.: 'A mí me gusta el chocolate' (I like chocolate). Common mistakes include using 'yo gusto' instead of 'me gusta'. Practise with activities: 'Me gusta nadar' (I like swimming), 'Te gusta correr' (You like running).

Vocabulary: Verbs

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Related Topics in EDEXCEL GCSE Spanish

Grammar: Adjectives and adjectival phrases

Grammar: Adverbs and adverbial phrases

Grammar: Derivational morphology

Grammar: Nouns, pronouns and determiners

How to Revise Vocabulary: Verbs — Edexcel GCSE Spanish

Examiner Tips for Vocabulary: Verbs

Common Mistakes in Vocabulary: Verbs

Key Marking Points