Unit 2.2
Irregularities of the Present of the Indicative: Saber and Dar
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Introduction
The present indicative [presente de indicativo] is a verb tense that expresses actions that occur at the moment of speaking, general things, habitual actions, and future actions.
Saber and dar are irregular verbs with a change in the root or the ending/ending of the verb, or both changes simultaneously.
Form
Saber and dar are irregular verbs. In the present indicative, they are conjugated like this:
| Personas | Saber | Dar |
|---|---|---|
| Yo | sé | doy |
| Tú | sabes | das |
| Él/Ella/Usted | sabe | da |
| Nosotros/-as | sabemos | damos |
| Vosotros/-as | sabéis | dais |
| Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes | saben | dan |
Example
- Ya sé las buenas noticias sobre la fábrica de chocolate;
- ¿Sabes cómo montar un negocio?
- Él sabe cómo funciona una panadería;
- Nosotros sabemos tratar bien a los clientes;
- ¿Sabéis lo último sobre publicidad intrusiva?
- Ellos saben preparar una factura.
Dar:
- Le doy las buenas noticias sobre la fábrica de chocolate;
- ¿Das clases para aprender a montar un negocio?
- Él da información sobre cómo funciona una panadería;
- Nosotros damos a los clientes un buen trato;
- ¿Vosotros dais conferencias sobre publicidad intrusiva?
- Ellos dan instrucciones para preparar una factura.
Use
The present indicative of the verb saber is used to:
- express news or knowledge;
- talk about skills and abilities;
- to be instructed in something.
The present indicative of the verb dar is used to:
- denote the act of giving;
- to give;
- to confer.
Summary
The present indicative is used to talk about present, habitual and general actions. In Spanish, apart from the regular forms, there are many irregularities, and the verbs saber and dar are two particular cases, which have the 1st person singular irregular.
For example:
— «¿Sabes lo que ha dicho? Sí, lo sé.» (=verb saber);
— «Te damos las gracias en nombre de la empresa y te doy las gracias personalmente.» (=verb dar).
Check the contents of the {Form} section. Then move on to the {Example} section, which shows you the usage in context.
Related
The present indiative tense is a verb tense that expresses actions that occur at the moment of speaking, general things, habitual actions, and future actions. The verbs saber and dar are irregular verbs that have a change in the verb stem or the verb ending or both changes simultaneously.
- At the A1 level, you can find basic information about the present indicative.
- In level B1, there is more information about the Irregularities of the present indicative.
Exercises
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