This lesson is part of the Intermediate Spanish Course (143 lessons)
Expand and master your Spanish skills with this in-depth view of more advanced grammar topics, vocabulary and expressions that have been condensed and simplified so that you can understand and remember them in no time at all. This course is jam-packed with easy-to-follow information that will enable you to not just understand and be understood, but really show off!
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In this free Spanish video lesson we will see common Spanish phrases and structures used to hypothesise about things in the past such as A lo mejor (Maybe), Puede que (It could be that), and Seguramente (Possibly). We will analyse which of these phrases are used with the Indicative, which are used with the Subjunctive and which are used with both. It is vital that you have a wide selection of Spanish phrases that people really use in modern everyday Spanish conversation and the type of phrases contained in this Spanish lesson are great fun to practice using. It may take you some time, however, to know exactly when to use each phrase and the best way to achive this is to listen to native Spanish speakers as much as you can. Listen out and notice when exactly they are used and the tone with which the speakers says them. It can be great fun to try to immitate how we use these Spanish phrases and it is the best way to remember each phrase. Probably the best place to catch lots of everyday Spanish phrases like these is on Spanish television. At this stage it is a really good idea to get into the habit of watching a little Spanish television every day. It is never easy to understand and enjoy television in another language, but it is one of the best forms of practice. The key is to watch things you genuinely are interested in and with time and patience you will find yourself learning Spanish without even knowing it. I watch a lot of English television and it is one of my favourite study methods. For recommendations of good Spanish television programmes and links to watch the programmes free online click here.
Lesson notes:
Indicativo:
A lo mejor + indicativo: Maybe
A lo mejor llegó anoche: Maybe he arrived last night
Igual + indicativo: Maybe
Igual llegó anoche: Maybe he arrived last night
Lo mismo + indicativo: Maybe
Lo mismo llegó anoche: Maybe he arrived last night
Subjuntivo:
Puede que + subjuntivo: It could be that
Puede que llegara/llegase anoche: It could be that he arrived last night
Puede ser que + subjuntivo: It could be that
Puede ser que llegara/llegase anoche: It could be that he arrived last night
Indicativo/Subjuntivo:
Tal vez + indicativo o subjuntivo: Maybe
Tal vez llegó anoche: Maybe he arrived last night
Tal vez llegara/llegase anoche: Maybe he arrived last night
Quizás + indicativo o subjuntivo: Maybe
Quizás llegó anoche: Maybe he arrived last night
Quizás llegara/llegase anoche: Maybe he arrived last night
Seguramente + indicativo o subjuntivo: Possibly
Seguramente llegó anoche: Possibly he arrived last night
Seguramente llegara/llegase anoche: Possibly he arrived last night
Activity:
Translate the following…
Maybe he was in the pub
Possibly they had dinner in a restaurant
It could be that she had many problems
Here are the answers to the last activity:
¿Bromeas?
¡Ya será menos!
Por mí..,
¡Alla tú!
