cavar Present Conjugation
cavar — to dig
Use the present tense like 'cavo' (yo) and 'cavan' (ellos) for current actions, habits, or general truths about digging.
cavar Present Forms
When to Use the Present
This is your go-to tense for actions happening right now ('Estoy cavando un hoyo' - I am digging a hole), habitual actions ('Mi abuelo cava el jardín cada sábado' - My grandpa digs the garden every Saturday), or general truths ('La pala cava la tierra' - The shovel digs the earth).
Notes on cavar in the Present
Cavar is a regular -ar verb in the present indicative. All forms follow the standard conjugation pattern.
Example Sentences
Yo cavo un hoyo para la planta.
I dig a hole for the plant.
yo
¿Tú cavas a mano o usas una máquina?
Do you dig by hand or use a machine?
tú
Él cava muy rápido.
He digs very fast.
él/ella/usted
Nosotros cavamos para encontrar el tesoro.
We dig to find the treasure.
nosotros
Ellos cavan un túnel.
They dig a tunnel.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using 'estar cavando' for habitual actions.
Correct: Use the simple present 'cavo' for habits: 'Mi papá cava el jardín todos los días'.
Why: The present progressive ('estar + gerund') emphasizes an action in progress *right now*, not a routine.
Mistake: Confusing 'cava' (él/ella/usted) with 'cava' (imperative tú).
Correct: Context usually clarifies, but remember 'cava' (indicative) states a fact, while '¡Cava!' (imperative) is a command.
Why: The same form exists in two different moods, requiring attention to the sentence's intent.
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Related Tenses
Preterite
yo: cavé
Use preterite forms like 'cavé' (yo) and 'cavaron' (ellos) for completed digging actions in the past.
Imperfect
yo: cavaba
Use the imperfect like 'cavaba' (yo) and 'cavaban' (ellos) for ongoing or habitual past actions (used to dig, was digging).
Future
yo: cavaré
Future forms like 'cavaré' (yo) and 'cavarán' (ellos) indicate actions that will happen.
Conditional
yo: cavaría
Use conditional forms like 'cavaría' (yo) and 'cavarían' (ellos) for hypothetical ('would dig') or polite requests.
Present Subjunctive
yo: cave
Use present subjunctive forms like 'cave' (yo) and 'caven' (ellos) after expressions of doubt, desire, or emotion.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: cavara
Use the imperfect subjunctive like 'cavara' or 'cavase' for past hypotheticals, wishes, or polite requests.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: cava
Use imperative forms like 'cava' (tú) and 'caven' (ustedes) for direct commands related to digging.
Negative Imperative
yo: no caves
Use negative commands like 'no caves' (tú) and 'no caven' (ustedes) to tell someone not to dig.