If you have been learning Spanish for a while, I’m sure that you have heard many times that it is important to memorize Spanish verb conjugations.
If you don’t know what the word conjugations refers to, click here to learn about it.
If you took the advice and learned a good number of conjugation sets for different verbs and tenses, then you know that it helped you speak more fluently and correctly, and it also made it easier for you to understand native speakers when they’re talking fast.
However, if you are still wondering why you should take the time—and it does take some time—to learn so many different forms, many of which follow irregular patterns, then you absolutely need to continue reading.
Speak Spanish more correctly and efficiently
The most obvious reason why it is important to memorize Spanish verb conjugations is that you first need to know the correct form of a verb if you want to use it.
First, if you aren’t even aware of its existence, you are going to use a different form that you shouldn’t be using in that situation.
And, second, if you are aware of its existence, but can’t remember it right, you may end up saying a word that doesn’t even exist.
As always, that you use an incorrect word isn’t the end of the world, and you shouldn’t be afraid to speak just because you are making mistakes. But if your goal is to improve your Spanish speaking skills, you should aim to speak as correctly as possible.
And the real problem is that, when we are continuously unsure about what we should be saying in Spanish to communicate our message effectively, the feeling of uncertainty ends up undermining our confidence and our fluency.
Knowing the conjugation of verbs really well will help you speak more fluently and effectively.
Verbs are the most worthwhile words to learn
You may say that what I explained above is also true for other kinds of words: You must also be aware of the existence of the different forms of an adjective, for example, in order to use each of them correctly.
However, there are some differences.
First, verbs will appear in 99% of the sentences you will ever say in Spanish.
Verbs are the main characters in sentences. They are what bring sentences alive and give them a logical structure. So we need to use at least a verb in almost every sentence we build. But we can’t say the same about adjectives, pronouns or even nouns.
This makes practicing verbs a worthwhile use of your time, since you are more likely to need a verb than any other kind of word.
Second, verbs are far more variable than any other kind of word.
A noun has often two forms, one for the singular, and a second one for the plural: casa / casas. Some of them may have four, if they have they have different forms for masculine and feminine: niño, niña, niños, niñas.
And the same happens with adjectives.
However, a single verb has normally over 40 different forms. And they have so many forms for the same reason: verbs are the cornerstones of sentences, and are able to express different kinds of information and nuances in just one word.
This means also, that using an incorrect verb form can lead to much more confusion than getting an adjective wrong.
So, again, verbs are worth your time and attention.
It is easier to understand what you can say yourself
You may have heard me say this somewhere else but, when listening to someone speaking Spanish, it is going to be easier for you to understand what they say, if you know the vocabulary and the structures they are using.
If you hear a sentence that you could have effortlessly said yourself, you’re going to understand it more easily than a sentence with a structure you are not familiar with. This is true for the patterns and grammar rules that the sentence follows, as well as for the verb forms it contains.
This means that, if you hear a verb form that you are able to say yourself, you are going to understand it right away. While, if it is a form you haven’t memorised yet, it’s going to take more mental effort and time for you to understand it. And that mental effort and speed difference is what may result in you understanding or not understanding the whole sentence.
Recognizing tenses helps you learn how to use them
An other important reason to memorize the different verb conjugations, is that it allow you to learn how to use the different tenses.
Who hasn’t sometimes problems to choose the right Spanish tense, especially when speaking about the past?
It’s obvious that one has to study the patterns that the use of the different verb tenses follow. However, once you have started to understand them, any exposure to Spanish can become a lesson about tense use. I’ll explain this:
When you know a verb, even if you haven’t mastered all its forms, you will many times understand whether the speaker refers to a current, past or future event.
Let’s say that someone uses the word vivían [they lived] in a sentence that refers to the past. You may be able to understand that it means they lived. However, if you don’t know the different forms that each tense has, you won’t realize that it is a form of the imperfect tense. If you knew that the imperfect tense is being used in this specific context, apart from the meaning, you would be getting information about when to use the imperfect tense.
If, when you hear a verb, you are also aware of the tense that is being used, you will learn faster when to use each tense yourself.
The second best time to start practicing verb conjugation is now
You probably know the Chines proverb that says:
“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.”
You may have neglected verb conjugation practice for a long time. Maybe, nobody told you it was something you should practice. Or they did, but you skipped the practice because it was hard and you didn’t see immediate results. But don’t worry, it is never too late to start, and if you stick to it until you have learned a couple dozens of sets (I mean really learned them), you will realize that you get better at it, and the next sets of conjugations come easier and easier.
Now you know why it is important to memorize Spanish verb conjugations. It is never too late to start and it is always worth it.
Here you have some verb conjugation charts that you can use to start.
And as always, if you need help, reach out.
