Compound Tenses
Okay, I know this question is probably a bit too nit-picky, but it's how my brain works. Thank you for bearing with me! :)
My workbook has a chapter on "The Progressive Tenses". The next chapter is called "Compound Tenses: The Present Perfect and the Past Perfect". In the introduction to the chapter on the "Compound Tenses", it explains that these formas compuestas "consist of more than one verb element ... These tenses are conjugated with a basic form of a verb called a past participle..." But wait! Aren't the progressive tenses formed with "more than one verb element"? Shouldn't the progressive tenses be included under the sub-heading of "compound tenses"/"formas compuestas"? Thanks! |
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Perhaps there is a subtle linguistic distinction after all, but it does sound to me like a quibble over taxonomy. :) |
Okay - that's what I was hoping. Just semantics. But one would think that grammar categories ought to be treated in a very objective manner with a mathematical-like approach......
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I get confused with the order of my textbook too. It needs to be written better.
Me confundo con el orden de mi libro de texto también. Lo necesita escrito mejor. |
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But for you, it shouldn't be that simple. :whistling: |
One thing I noted here, and thought I would bring to your attention, is that the book said the compound tenses are formed with the (past) participle. This can't be said for the (progressive), which uses a (present participle).
The compound tenses use a conjugated form of haber, while the (progressive) uses a conjugated form of estar. In the paragraph above, I deliberately placed certain terms in parentheses. This is because a native speaker of Spanish isn't taught these terms. These are English terms that we try to fit on Spanish parts of speech. The Spanish equivalents for these terms are participio and gerundio, respectively. The "compound" tenses are formed using haber + participio (Spanish terms used the formula). The 'progressive' isn't ever listed in a conjugation chart. This is because it is neither a "simple" nor a "compound" tense. It is simply known as the gerundio. The gerundio has nothing to do with the English gerund. (Don't get me started.) You'll find all kinds of sites (and books) teaching these things wrong. |
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It's interesting to me that the progressive isn't considered a "conjugation". It seems to me to be quite parallel to the perfect tenses: estar/haber conjugated in present or past or future tense + gerundio/participle Hmmmm..... Well, I definitely won't get you started on the gerundio vs. gerund. I DO understand that they're different ... and am starting to get a feel for when to use the gerundio vs. when to use the infinitive. Thanks, Rusty!! |
Yes, I see. I want to use/enjoy this site and my Spanish books.
Si, veo. Quiero usar/disfrutar esto sito y mi libros de Español. Quote:
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