Gustar and verbs that work backwards
Gustar is not irregular; it is simply built differently from English. Once you see the structure, a whole family of verbs opens up.
Part of your national curriculum
- Grammar and vocabulary: Use and manipulate a variety of key grammatical structures and patterns, including voices and moods as appropriate
Lesson overview
What you'll learn in this lesson
Use and manipulate a variety of key grammatical structures and patterns, including voices and moods as appropriate
Key learning points
- • The structure
- • The pronouns
- • The same family
This lesson at a glance
- 22 minutes
- 19 parts to scroll through
- 4 quick checks
- Marked quiz at the end
- Gentle pace: short sittings with pauses
Words to know
Scroll down — the lesson carries on below
Watch & discover
Part 1 of 19
Visual introductionPicture this
Gustar and verbs that work backwards
Gustar is not irregular; it is simply built differently from English. Once you see the structure, a whole family of verbs opens up.
In a nutshell
Use and manipulate a variety of key grammatical structures and patterns, including voices and moods as appropriate
Learning cycle
Part 2 of 19
Learning cycle 1 of 2
Part 1 · The structure
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
Explore the idea
Part 3 of 19
Learn
The structure
Me gusta el chocolate literally means 'chocolate pleases me'. The thing liked is the subject, so the verb agrees with it: me gusta el chocolate, me gustan las naranjas. Only two verb forms are needed in most sentences.
Reset break
Part 4 of 19
Pause
That's sitting 1 of 5 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Explore the idea
Part 5 of 19
Learn
The pronouns
me, te, le, nos, os, les. Te gustan las tapas — you like tapas. Les gusta el pescado — they like fish. To add emphasis or clarity: a mí me gusta, a mi hermano le gusta.
Quick check
Part 6 of 19
Quick check
Part 7 of 19
Reset break
Part 8 of 19
Pause
That's sitting 2 of 5 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Learning cycle
Part 9 of 19
Learning cycle 2 of 2
Part 2 · The same family
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
Explore the idea
Part 10 of 19
Learn
The same family
encantar (to love), interesar, molestar (to bother), doler (to hurt), faltar (to be lacking) all behave identically. Me duelen las piernas — my legs hurt. Me encanta cocinar — with an infinitive, always singular.
Quick check
Part 11 of 19
Reset break
Part 12 of 19
Pause
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Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Quick check
Part 13 of 19
Explore the idea
Part 14 of 19
Worked example
Worked example: building four sentences
'I love vegetables' → Me encantan las verduras (plural noun, plural verb). 'My head hurts' → Me duele la cabeza (singular). 'We are interested in cooking' → Nos interesa cocinar (infinitive, so singular). 'They do not like fish' → No les gusta el pescado. The only decision each time is singular or plural.
Challenge round
Part 15 of 19
Game · Sort it
Which of these are true?
Drag each card into the right column. Tap a card first if dragging is fiddly.
True
Not true
Reset break
Part 16 of 19
Pause
That's sitting 4 of 5 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Challenge round
Part 17 of 19
Game · Recall cards
Complete: 'Il n'y a pas ___ piscine.'
Card 1 of 4
Mastery quiz
Part 18 of 19
Marked quiz
End of lesson quiz: Gustar and verbs that work backwards
4 questions, marked with the reasoning shown. No timer.
1. Complete: 'Il n'y a pas ___ piscine.'
2. 'La souris est mangée par le chat' is an example of the...
3. Which mood follows 'il faut que'?
4. 'Je voudrais' is an example of the...
Lesson round-up
Part 19 of 19
Lesson round-up
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Ask LunaPart 1 of 19 · Watch & discover
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Use and manipulate a variety of key grammatical structures and patterns, including voices and moods as appropriate