Declarative sentences in Spanish are statements that express facts, opinions, or information using a subject-verb-object structure and ending with a period.
This page explains how to form and use declarative sentences—the most common type of sentence in Spanish. Declarative sentences simply state information or facts and can be either affirmative or negative.
Declarative sentences are sentences that make a statement or express an idea. In Spanish, they follow a simple structure:
Subject + Verb + (Object/Complement) + .
- They end with a period.
- They can be affirmative (positive) or negative.
- They use the indicative mood for present, past, or future statements.
Examples:
- María estudia biología. – María studies biology.
- No tengo hambre. – I’m not hungry.
- Vamos al cine mañana. – We’re going to the movies tomorrow.
Which mood do declarative sentences in Spanish use for present, past, or future statements?
Indicative
Declarative sentences use the indicative mood to express statements of reality, whether in the present, past, or future.
Affirmative declarative sentences state something that is true or a fact. The basic word order is:
Subject + Verb + Object/Complement
- The subject can be a noun or pronoun.
- The verb is conjugated to match the subject.
- Objects and complements provide additional information.
Examples:
- Yo escribo una carta. – I write a letter.
- Ellos comen pizza. – They eat pizza.
- Tú vives en Madrid. – You live in Madrid.
Negative declarative sentences deny or contradict a statement. In Spanish, negation is formed by placing no before the verb. The structure is:
Subject + no + Verb + Object/Complement
- The word no is always before the verb.
- The rest of the sentence follows the usual order.
Examples:
- Yo no escribo una carta. – I do not write a letter.
- Ellos no comen pizza. – They do not eat pizza.
- Tú no vives en Madrid. – You do not live in Madrid.
Declarative sentences use verb tenses in the indicative mood to express statements about reality—whether in the present, past, or future. Here are the most common tenses:
| Tense | Purpose | Example (hablar) | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Presente | Current actions/reality | Yo hablo | I speak/I am speaking |
| Pretérito | Completed past actions | Hablé | I spoke |
| Imperfecto | Past habitual/descriptive | Hablaba | I used to speak/I was speaking |
| Futuro | Future actions | Hablaré | I will speak |
Example Sentences:
- Yo hablo español. (Presente)
- Ayer hablé con María. (Pretérito)
- Cuando era niño, hablaba mucho. (Imperfecto)
- Mañana hablaré contigo. (Futuro)
How do you form a declarative sentence about a future action in Spanish?
Use the futuro tense (verb ending in -é, -ás, -á, etc.)
Future actions are expressed using the futuro tense, which adds endings like -é, -ás, -á to the infinitive.
The default word order in Spanish declarative sentences is:
Subject + Verb + Object/Complement
However, Spanish word order is flexible, and other variations are possible for emphasis:
- Omission of Subject: If the subject is clear from the verb ending, it can be dropped.
- Object/Complement First: Sometimes objects or adverbs come before the verb for emphasis.
Examples:
- (Yo) como manzanas. → I eat apples. (Subject omitted)
- Manzanas como todos los días. → Apples I eat every day. (Object first for emphasis)
Declarative sentences in Spanish are straightforward statements of fact or opinion, following a simple subject-verb-object structure. Understanding how to form both affirmative and negative declarative sentences—and how to use the basic indicative tenses—is essential for expressing information clearly.
Last updated: Thu Jun 12, 2025
