Spanish Grammar Explained

Both mean 'to be' — here's the rule that tells them apart forever.

Both translate as 'for' — but por looks back at causes and para looks forward to goals.

Both mean 'to know' — but saber is for facts and skills, conocer for people and places.

Preterite is for finished actions; imperfect is for ongoing, habitual or background past.

Add me, te, se or nos when the action comes back to you — and nothing for objects.

IOP first, DOP second — and le/les change to se before lo, la, los, or las.

Me, te, le, nos, les — the pronouns that show who receives the benefit of the action.

Lo, la, los, las — replace the noun that receives the action, matching its gender and number.

Gustar flips the sentence: what you like is the subject, and you are the indirect object.

Hay says something exists — está says where a specific thing is.