AP Spanish : Spanish Verbs

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Spanish

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Spanish Verbs

Which verb form is correct in context? 

Si te he ofendido, sinceramente ______ perdón.

Possible Answers:

pido

pida

piden

pediste

Correct answer:

pido

Explanation:

The sentence utilizes a "si+indicative" construction, so the verb that goes in the blank must be in the indicative mood. In the context of the statement, the indicative first person present form, "pido" (I ask formakes the most sense.

English translation: "If I have offended you, I sincerely ask for your pardon."

Example Question #1 : Subjunctive / Subjuntivo

Fill in the blank with the correct answer.

No vengo a menos que __________ ellos. 

Possible Answers:

vengan

vienen

venir

vendrían

vinieron 

Correct answer:

vengan

Explanation:

"a menos que" is an adverbial subjunctive clause that takes the subjunctive and not the indicative. Knowing this we may identify the correct form of the verb as "vengan," the 3rd person plural present sunjunctive. 

Example Question #1 : Spanish Verbs

Is there a grammatical error in this sentence?

Es increíble que hace algo tan malo.

Possible Answers:

The sentence is correct.

Hace should be in its subjunctive form, haga.

Es should be in its subjunctive form, sea.

The adjective malo is in the wrong gender.

Correct answer:

Hace should be in its subjunctive form, haga.

Explanation:

This is a classic impersonal statement expressing doubt or opinion, meaning that the verb following the impersonal statement, hace, should be in its subjunctive form, haga.

Example Question #2 : Spanish Verbs

Which verb best completes the sentence?

Puedes descansarte cuando __________ al hotel, pero ahora tenemos que andar.

Possible Answers:

llegar

lleguemos

llegabamos

llegando

Correct answer:

lleguemos

Explanation:

The present subjunctive form is necessary here, as we have not yet arrived; thus there is still doubt over when, or if, we will. 

Example Question #34 : Ap Spanish Language

What kind of grammatical error appears in this sentence?

Es mejor que completas la tarea ahora.

Possible Answers:

The first verb is in the wrong person.

The second verb is in the wrong tense.

The second verb is in the wrong mood.

Nothing is wrong with the sentence.

Correct answer:

The second verb is in the wrong mood.

Explanation:

Impersonal statements require verbs to be in the subjunctive mood. The sentence's second verb "completas" (from completar) is in the indicative mood, making it incorrect. To correct the sentence, one would need to replace "completas" with "completes," the second-person present subjunctive form of the verb completar.

English translation: "It would be better if you were to complete your homework now."

Example Question #35 : Ap Spanish Language

Which verb form is grammatically correct?

Es increíble que una persona tan perezosa __________ tener tanto éxito.

Possible Answers:

None of the other answers are correct.

puedo

pueda

podía

Correct answer:

pueda

Explanation:

An impersonal statement, such as this one, may be completed by the subjunctive mood. All other options are incorrect either in mood, tense, or number.

English translation: "It is incredible that such a lazy person could be so successful."

Example Question #2 : Subjunctive / Subjuntivo

What is grammatically incorrect in the following sentence?

Es importante que todos los estudiantes estudian este fin de semana.

Possible Answers:

All of the above are incorrect.

The mood used in the subordinate clause

The agreement of the possessive adjective with the noun

The agreement between the subject and verb

Correct answer:

The mood used in the subordinate clause

Explanation:

The conjugation of “estudiar” in the subordinate clause is incorrect because the main clause triggers the use of the present subjunctive mood; therefore, the correct form should be "estudien."

Example Question #5 : Spanish Verbs

Fill in the blank with the correct answer. 

Antes de __________, hago mi tarea. 

Possible Answers:

salir

saldría

he salido 

salgo

salí

Correct answer:

salir

Explanation:

The correct answer is salir. Because of the "de" the following word must be in the infinitive form. 

Example Question #6 : Spanish Verbs

Which verb form is grammatically correct?

Para mi, es mejor __________ libre que tener riqueza.

Possible Answers:

tener

soy

haber

ser

Correct answer:

ser

Explanation:

Ser is the only correct answer as it is both the only verb that agrees grammatically with the adjective libre. Further, the infintive structure is neccesary as the verb's indicative form, soy, would be incorrect in an impersonal statement.

Example Question #7 : Spanish Verbs

Which verb form best completes this sentence?

El perro huele mal, pues hay que __________ lo.

Possible Answers:

bañaba

voltar

bañar

baña

Correct answer:

bañar

Explanation:

The only verb that fits the impersonal necessity haber construction of this sentence is the infinitve bañar. Bañaba and baña are in the wrong tenses, and voltar, while in the right tense, makes no sense in context.

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