Reflection on Spanish Verb Tenses

How does the usage of different Spanish verb tenses affect the meaning of a sentence?

Which of the following is the correct form of the verb in the given sentence?

Los chicos ___________________ todo lo que vieron.

a) han decido

b) han dicido

c) han dicho

d) han diciendo

Answer:

The correct answer is han dicho.

Explanation:

In this case we are faced with the verb tense pretérito perfecto.

We use it to express actions that occurred in the past and extend to the present, and actions that happened in the past and that have as a consequence a situation or result related to the present or the future.

To conjugate a verb in the past perfect, we use the auxiliary haber in the present and the participle of the main verb.

Yo he dicho

Tú has dicho

Él/Ella/Usted ha dicho

Nosotros/as hemos dicho

Vosotros/as habéis dicho

Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes han dicho