Spelling the Past Tense

When 'c' is followed by 'e' in Spanish, it sounds like an 's' or 'th'. To keep the hard 'k' sound in the past tense (Preterite) 'I' form, we change 'c' to 'qu': 'califiqué' instead of 'calificé'.

The 'C' to 'QU' Swap

Use 'con' (with) to specify the grade: 'Me calificó con un 10' (He gave me a 10).

Numbers and Grades

Extremely common in educational and formal settings.

Omission of the Preposition

When you want to say you describe something AS something, you can use 'de' or 'como'. For example: 'Lo calificó de injusto' or 'Lo calificó como injusto' (He described it as unfair).

Using 'de' and 'como'

This use of the word almost always follows the structure: Person/Thing + calificar + Object + de/como + Adjective.

Adjective required

Commonly used to express opinions or descriptions of people and actions.

Calificar vs Clasificar

When you qualify FOR something, always use the word 'para'. 'Califico PARA el trabajo'.

The preposition 'para'

Use this word when talking about meeting certain rules or criteria, like for a loan or a government program.

Eligibility

Very common in sports, job applications, and formal competitions.

Learn the meanings of 'calificar': to grade, to describe, and to qualify. Includes full conjugation tables, examples, and common mistakes.

Calificar Meaning & Conjugation | Spanish-English Dictionary

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The conditional of calificar is regular: calificaría, calificarías, calificaría, calificaríamos, calificaríais, calificarían.

The future tense of calificar is regular: calificaré, calificarás, calificará, calificaremos, calificaréis, calificarán.

The affirmative imperative uses califica (tú) and califique (usted), maintaining the 'qu' spelling change for formal commands.

The imperfect of calificar is regular: calificaba, calificabas, calificaba, calificábamos, calificabais, calificaban.

The imperfect subjunctive of calificar is formed from the third-person plural preterite: calificara, calificaras, calificara, calificáramos, calificarais, calificaran.

The negative imperative always uses the 'qu' spelling change: no califiques, no califique, no califiquemos, no califiquéis, no califiquen.

The present tense of calificar is completely regular: califico, calificas, califica, calificamos, calificáis, califican.

The present subjunctive of calificar requires a spelling change from 'c' to 'qu' in all forms: califique, califiques, califique, califiquemos, califiquéis, califiquen.

The preterite of calificar is regular except for the 'yo' form, which changes to 'califiqué' to maintain the hard 'k' sound.

calificar

Complete Conjugation Tables

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

present

imperative

negative

affirmative

indicative

conditional

preterite

imperfect

present

future

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