Mi abuelo tiene un libro antiguo.

the book

Breakdown of Mi abuelo tiene un libro antiguo.

• mi: my
• tener: to have
• el abuelo: the grandfather
• un: a
• antiguo: old

Questions & Answers about Mi abuelo tiene un libro antiguo.

What does the verb tiene mean and why is it used here?

tiene is the third-person singular present indicative form of tener, which means to have. It is used in this sentence because the subject, mi abuelo (my grandfather), is singular. This form indicates that the grandfather currently possesses an old book.

Why do we use un before libro instead of el?

un is an indefinite article used to refer to a nonspecific or one instance of a noun—in this case, an old book. The sentence is stating that my grandfather has an old book without specifying which one. If the sentence used el, it would imply that a particular, previously mentioned or well-known book is being discussed.

Why is the adjective antiguo placed after the noun libro?

In Spanish, adjectives typically follow the noun they modify. So, libro antiguo follows the common adjective-noun order, which is natural in Spanish to express old book. Although some adjectives can come before the noun, this placement may alter the emphasis or nuance; here, placing antiguo after libro is the standard form to convey the intended meaning.

What's the difference between antiguo and another word like viejo when describing something as old?

While both antiguo and viejo translate to old in English, antiguo often implies that something has historical or antique value, suggesting it dates from a previous era. Viejo, on the other hand, can simply refer to something that is aged or not new. In this sentence, using antiguo emphasizes that the book is not just old in a general sense, but likely has a sense of history or nostalgia.

How can I tell that abuelo and libro are masculine in this sentence?

The gender of these nouns is indicated by the articles and adjectives used. Mi abuelo uses mi, which is neutral in gender but paired with abuelo (a masculine noun), while un libro antiguo employs the masculine indefinite article un and the masculine form of the adjective antiguo. Typically in Spanish, nouns ending in -o—like abuelo and libro—are masculine, though memorization and practice are key to recognizing gender for each noun.

What tense is this sentence in, and what does that tell me about the action?

The sentence is in the present tense. The verb tiene in its present indicative form indicates that the action is occurring now, meaning that my grandfather currently has an old book. This tense is used to express current states, habits, or facts.