Spanish grammar
Hoy he... / ayer + preterite
Contrast today (perfect) with yesterday (preterite).
From the scene Hoy ha sido un día largo (Today has been a long day)
In short
In Spain, use the perfect for time not yet over (hoy, esta semana) and the preterite for finished time (ayer).
- today has been hoy ha sido
- this week I have slept esta semana he dormido
- yesterday I studied ayer estudié
- what did you do yesterday? ¿qué hiciste ayer?
Your turn
Which one goes with this week I have slept?
Options: hoy ha sido · ayer estudié · esta semana he dormido
Show answer
this week I have slept → esta semana he dormido
How it works
In Spain, use the perfect for time that is not over yet: hoy, esta mañana, esta semana (hoy ha sido, esta semana he dormido).
Good to know
For finished time (ayer, anoche, el lunes) use the preterite, the simple past you already know: ayer estudié, anoche escuché.
today has been hoy ha sido
Nuria
Doña Elena, hoy ha sido un día muy largo.
Doña Elena, today has been a very long day.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Doña Elena, (blank) un día muy largo.
Options: ayer estudié · hoy ha sido · esta semana he dormido
Show answer
Nuria
Doña Elena, hoy ha sido un día muy largo.
Doña Elena, today has been a very long day.
this week I have slept esta semana he dormido
Nuria
No. Esta semana he dormido muy poco.
No. This week I have slept very little.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
No. (blank) muy poco.
Options: Esta semana he dormido · Hoy ha sido · Ayer estudié
Show answer
Nuria
No. Esta semana he dormido muy poco.
No. This week I have slept very little.
yesterday I studied ayer estudié
Nuria
Ayer estudié toda la tarde. Fue horrible.
Yesterday I studied all afternoon. It was horrible.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank) toda la tarde. Fue horrible.
Options: Esta semana he dormido · Ayer estudié · Hoy ha sido
Show answer
Nuria
Ayer estudié toda la tarde. Fue horrible.
Yesterday I studied all afternoon. It was horrible.
what did you do yesterday? ¿qué hiciste ayer?
Elena
¿Y ayer? ¿Qué hiciste ayer?
And yesterday? What did you do yesterday?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
¿Y ayer? ¿(blank)?
Options: Hoy ha sido · Esta semana he dormido · Qué hiciste ayer
Show answer
Elena
¿Y ayer? ¿Qué hiciste ayer?
And yesterday? What did you do yesterday?
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| today has been | hoy ha sido |
|---|---|
| this week I have slept | esta semana he dormido |
| yesterday I studied | ayer estudié |
| what did you do yesterday? | ¿qué hiciste ayer? |
More lines from the story
- NuriaEsta mañana he practicado con Javi.This morning I have practised with Javi.
- ElenaYa lo sé. Anoche escuché tu voz hasta las dos.I know. Last night I heard your voice until two.