Spanish verb tenses operate in a manner that in many ways is similar to English, but with important differences as well.

Below is a thumbnail presentation of the tenses (present, past, etc.), moods (indicative, subjunctive, imperative) and participles that make up the Spanish verb system. The English verb talk is used to render the (sometimes approximate) English equivalent of each. For more on the forms and uses of each, click on the links.

The Compound (Two-Word) Tenses