The -ing form
When one verb follows another, the first verb decides the form of the second. Start with the verbs that take -ing.
Fixed -ing expressions
Some expressions are always followed by the -ing form. Learn them as whole chunks.
Who gets what: direct and indirect objects
Several of the next patterns put a person or thing between the two verbs: advise him to confess, saw them running. That person or thing is an object.
The to form
Other verbs take to + verb. Some of them need a person first.
Feelings + to
Adjectives that describe feelings or attitudes are also followed by to + verb.
-ing or to?
Now that you know both forms: some verbs take either one. With most of them the meaning stays the same, but with a few it changes.
Verbs of the senses
Verbs like see, watch and hear have their own pattern, and they are easy to mix up with each other.
See or watch? Hear or listen?
The same verbs, compared: which one means you did it on purpose?
Sound-alike words
Homophones: same sound, different word
Tap a card to see the meanings.
Talking about leisure: music, books and films
Verb drill
Learn which pattern each verb takes. Verbs you miss come back after a few cards, and a verb counts as learned once you get it right 3 times in a row.
Practice
A longer round with questions from every topic. Answers from the quick checks count too, and your progress is saved in this browser.
Speak-up prep
In the Speak-up session you use all of this in a real conversation. Here's the whole episode on one page, the mistakes to listen for, and everyday conversations to copy.
Fast review
The six patterns with the verbs you'll use most.
Takeaways
Mistakes to catch in yourself
These are very common when you think in Spanish first. If you hear one come out, fix it and keep going.
Real conversations
Everyday situations where the grammar comes up on its own. Listen, read them aloud, then try the "Your turn" task with your teacher.
Your turn: answer out loud
Questions like the ones in a Speak-up session. Answer out loud first, then compare with the sample answer.
Tips for the session
Am I ready?
Tick what you can already do. It's saved in this browser.