grabar Present Conjugation
grabar — record
The present tense of grabar (grabo, grabas, graba, etc.) describes actions happening now or habitual actions related to recording.
grabar Present Forms
When to Use the Present
Use the present tense for actions happening right now, like 'Estoy grabando una lección.' (I am recording a lesson), or for habits, such as 'Ella graba podcasts todos los días.' (She records podcasts every day).
Notes on grabar in the Present
Grabar is regular in the present indicative. The 'yo' form is 'grabo', and all other forms follow the standard -ar conjugation pattern.
Example Sentences
Yo grabo las clases para repasarlas.
I record the classes to review them.
yo
¿Tú grabas música en tu estudio?
Do you record music in your studio?
tú
El director graba la escena de nuevo.
The director records the scene again.
él/ella/usted
Nosotros grabamos la reunión para tener un registro.
We record the meeting to have a record.
nosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the present tense for actions in progress.
Correct: For actions happening right now, use the present progressive: 'Estoy grabando', not 'Grabo'.
Why: The present progressive (estar + gerund) specifically emphasizes an ongoing action, while the simple present can refer to habits or general truths.
Mistake: Incorrect nosotros form.
Correct: The nosotros form is 'grabamos', not 'grabemos'.
Why: 'Grabamos' is indicative, while 'grabemos' is subjunctive/imperative.
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Related Tenses
Preterite
yo: grabé
The preterite of grabar (grabé, grabaste, grabó, etc.) is used for completed actions of recording in the past.
Imperfect
yo: grababa
The imperfect tense of grabar (grababa, grababas, grababa, etc.) describes ongoing or habitual past actions related to recording.
Future
yo: grabaré
The future tense of grabar (grabaré, grabarás, grabará, etc.) indicates actions that will happen.
Conditional
yo: grabaría
The conditional tense of grabar (graría, grabarías, grabaría, etc.) is used for hypothetical situations, polite requests, or future-in-the-past.
Present Subjunctive
yo: grabe
The present subjunctive of grabar (grabe, grabes, grabemos, graben) is used after expressions of desire, doubt, emotion, or uncertainty.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: grabara
The imperfect subjunctive of grabar (grabara/grabarais/grabaran) is used for past hypotheticals, wishes, or polite requests.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: graba
Use the imperative of grabar for direct commands: graba (tú), grabe (usted), grabemos (nosotros), graben (ustedes), graba (vosotros).
Negative Imperative
yo: no grabes
Use 'no' + present subjunctive for negative commands: no grabes (tú), no grabe (usted), no grabemos (nosotros), no graben (ustedes), no grabéis (vosotros).