Alternar Conjugation in Spanish
The Spanish verb alternar means to alternate, and it is a verb you will use again and again once you know it. Alternar means to alternate, and it is used for taking turns and for switching between two things: you alternate work and rest, day and night alternate, two presenters alternate on a programme. It also means to go out socially in the sense of alternar con gente, to mix with people. Like every Spanish verb, alternar changes its ending for each person and tense, and this page gives you the complete picture: every tense, every person, the gerund and the past participle, all from the verified conjugation tables. For example, in the present tense you say alterno el trabajo y el descanso, and in the preterite you say alterné dos presentadores en el programa. Work through the tables below, read the notes for each tense, and then test yourself with the examples, the common mistakes and the quiz at the end of the page.
Quick facts
- Infinitive: alternar
- English: to alternate
- Verb type: regular -ar verb
- Ending: -ar
- Gerund: alternando
- Past participle: alternado
- Auxiliary verb: haber (all perfect tenses are formed with haber + alternado)
Pronunciation is not listed on this page: the verified tables do not include IPA for alternar, so no pronunciation is given rather than an invented one. Alternar is fully regular: alterné, alternaba, alternaré. Its reflexive partner alternarse means to take turns with each other.
Full conjugation tables
Every form below comes from the verified conjugation tables for alternar. The imperfect subjunctive is shown in its -ra forms; the -se forms use the same stem. For reflexive verbs, the pronoun column shows the reflexive pronoun that goes before each form.
Present indicative
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | alterno |
| tú | alternas |
| él/ella/Ud. | alterna |
| nosotros/as | alternamos |
| vosotros/as | alternáis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | alternan |
Preterite
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | alterné |
| tú | alternaste |
| él/ella/Ud. | alternó |
| nosotros/as | alternamos |
| vosotros/as | alternasteis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | alternaron |
Imperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | alternaba |
| tú | alternabas |
| él/ella/Ud. | alternaba |
| nosotros/as | alternábamos |
| vosotros/as | alternabais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | alternaban |
Future
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | alternaré |
| tú | alternarás |
| él/ella/Ud. | alternará |
| nosotros/as | alternaremos |
| vosotros/as | alternaréis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | alternarán |
Conditional
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | alternaría |
| tú | alternarías |
| él/ella/Ud. | alternaría |
| nosotros/as | alternaríamos |
| vosotros/as | alternaríais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | alternarían |
Present perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | he alternado |
| tú | has alternado |
| él/ella/Ud. | ha alternado |
| nosotros/as | hemos alternado |
| vosotros/as | habéis alternado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | han alternado |
Pluperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | había alternado |
| tú | habías alternado |
| él/ella/Ud. | había alternado |
| nosotros/as | habíamos alternado |
| vosotros/as | habíais alternado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habían alternado |
Future perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habré alternado |
| tú | habrás alternado |
| él/ella/Ud. | habrá alternado |
| nosotros/as | habremos alternado |
| vosotros/as | habréis alternado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrán alternado |
Conditional perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habría alternado |
| tú | habrías alternado |
| él/ella/Ud. | habría alternado |
| nosotros/as | habríamos alternado |
| vosotros/as | habríais alternado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrían alternado |
Present subjunctive
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | alterne |
| tú | alternes |
| él/ella/Ud. | alterne |
| nosotros/as | alternemos |
| vosotros/as | alternéis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | alternen |
Imperfect subjunctive (-ra)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | alternara |
| tú | alternaras |
| él/ella/Ud. | alternara |
| nosotros/as | alternáramos |
| vosotros/as | alternarais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | alternaran |
Imperative (affirmative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | alterna |
| él/ella/Ud. | alterne |
| nosotros/as | alternemos |
| vosotros/as | alternad |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | alternen |
Imperative (negative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | alternes |
| él/ella/Ud. | alterne |
| nosotros/as | alternemos |
| vosotros/as | alternéis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | alternen |
Gerund and past participle
| Form | Spanish | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Gerund | alternando | with estar for the progressive: estoy alternando |
| Past participle | alternado | with haber for the perfect tenses: he alternado |
How to use each tense
Present indicative
Use the present for routines, general facts and what is happening right now. For this verb the tense is regular, so the forms follow the standard endings for its verb class. For alternar, the present looks like this in a real sentence: Alterno el trabajo y el descanso. Learn the present forms in the table above alongside this example, and notice how the ending, not the stem, usually carries the meaning of the tense.
Preterite
Use the preterite for finished actions with a clear end, often with ayer, el año pasado or anoche. For this verb the tense is regular, so the forms follow the standard endings for its verb class. For alternar, the preterite looks like this in a real sentence: Ayer, alterné el día y la noche. Learn the preterite forms in the table above alongside this example, and notice how the ending, not the stem, usually carries the meaning of the tense.
Imperfect
Use the imperfect for background, habits and actions in progress in the past, often with de niño, antes or mientras. For this verb the tense is regular, so the forms follow the standard endings for its verb class. For alternar, the imperfect looks like this in a real sentence: De niño, alternaba dos presentadores en el programa. Learn the imperfect forms in the table above alongside this example, and notice how the ending, not the stem, usually carries the meaning of the tense.
Future
Use the future for plans, predictions and promises, often with mañana, el año que viene or pronto. For this verb the tense is regular, so the forms follow the standard endings for its verb class. For alternar, the future looks like this in a real sentence: Mañana, alternaré el estudio con el deporte. Learn the future forms in the table above alongside this example, and notice how the ending, not the stem, usually carries the meaning of the tense.
Conditional
Use the conditional for polite requests, hypotheticals and what would happen, often with si clauses. For this verb the tense is regular, so the forms follow the standard endings for its verb class. For alternar, the conditional looks like this in a real sentence: Alternaría el trabajo y el descanso si pudiera. Learn the conditional forms in the table above alongside this example, and notice how the ending, not the stem, usually carries the meaning of the tense.
Present perfect
Use the present perfect for recent actions and experiences, often with hoy, esta semana or ya. For this verb the tense is regular, so the forms follow the standard endings for its verb class. For alternar, the present perfect looks like this in a real sentence: Hoy, he alternado el día y la noche. Learn the present perfect forms in the table above alongside this example, and notice how the ending, not the stem, usually carries the meaning of the tense.
Pluperfect
Use the pluperfect when one past action happened before another past action. For this verb the tense is regular, so the forms follow the standard endings for its verb class. For alternar, the pluperfect looks like this in a real sentence: Había alternado dos presentadores en el programa antes de salir. Learn the pluperfect forms in the table above alongside this example, and notice how the ending, not the stem, usually carries the meaning of the tense.
Future perfect
Use the future perfect for something that will already be finished by a future time. For this verb the tense is regular, so the forms follow the standard endings for its verb class. For alternar, the future perfect looks like this in a real sentence: Para mañana, habré alternado el estudio con el deporte. Learn the future perfect forms in the table above alongside this example, and notice how the ending, not the stem, usually carries the meaning of the tense.
Conditional perfect
Use the conditional perfect for what would have happened under different conditions. For this verb the tense is regular, so the forms follow the standard endings for its verb class. For alternar, the conditional perfect looks like this in a real sentence: Habría alternado el trabajo y el descanso con más tiempo. Learn the conditional perfect forms in the table above alongside this example, and notice how the ending, not the stem, usually carries the meaning of the tense.
Present subjunctive
Use the present subjunctive after expressions of wish, doubt, emotion and hope, such as espero que or quiero que. For this verb the tense is regular, so the forms follow the standard endings for its verb class. For alternar, the present subjunctive looks like this in a real sentence: Espero que él alterne el día y la noche. Learn the present subjunctive forms in the table above alongside this example, and notice how the ending, not the stem, usually carries the meaning of the tense.
Imperfect subjunctive (-ra)
Use the imperfect subjunctive after past wishes and in si clauses about the past, and note the -ra forms shown here; the -se forms use the same stem. For this verb the tense is regular, so the forms follow the standard endings for its verb class. For alternar, the imperfect subjunctive looks like this in a real sentence: Si él alternara dos presentadores en el programa, todo cambiaría. Learn the imperfect subjunctive forms in the table above alongside this example, and notice how the ending, not the stem, usually carries the meaning of the tense.
Imperative (affirmative)
Use the affirmative imperative for direct commands, instructions and invitations. For this verb the tense is regular, so the forms follow the standard endings for its verb class. For alternar, the affirmative imperative looks like this in a real sentence: ¡alterna el estudio con el deporte! Learn the affirmative imperative forms in the table above alongside this example, and notice how the ending, not the stem, usually carries the meaning of the tense.
Imperative (negative)
Use the negative imperative, always with no, to tell someone not to do something. For this verb the tense is regular, so the forms follow the standard endings for its verb class. For alternar, the negative imperative looks like this in a real sentence: No alternes el trabajo y el descanso. Learn the negative imperative forms in the table above alongside this example, and notice how the ending, not the stem, usually carries the meaning of the tense.
Example sentences
Ten natural sentences with alternar, covering different tenses and persons. Each one uses a form from the tables above.
- Alterno el trabajo y el descanso. — I alternate work and rest.
- Alterna el día y la noche. — He/she alternates day and night.
- Ayer, alterné dos presentadores en el programa. — Yesterday, I alternated two presenters on the programme.
- Antes, nosotros alternábamos el estudio con el deporte. — Before, we used to alternate study with sport.
- Mañana, tú alternarás el trabajo y el descanso. — Tomorrow, you will alternate work and rest.
- Yo alternaría el día y la noche si tuviera más tiempo. — I would alternate day and night if I had more time.
- Él ha alternado dos presentadores en el programa. — He has alternated two presenters on the programme.
- Espero que él alterne el estudio con el deporte. — I hope he alternates study with sport.
- Yo ya había alternado el trabajo y el descanso antes de salir. — I had already alternated work and rest before leaving.
- Ellos alternaban el día y la noche cuando eran jóvenes. — They used to alternate day and night when they were young.
Common mistakes
- Wrong: Yo alterna el trabajo y el descanso. — Right: Yo alterno el trabajo y el descanso. — The person matters: alterna is the él/ella/Ud. form, while the yo form is alterno. Using the third-person form with yo is one of the most common beginner errors.
- Wrong: Treating alternar and turnarse as identical in every context. — Right: Alternar means to alternate, while turnarse means to take turns with someone. — They overlap, but each has uses the other does not: alternar fits sentences such as Alterno el trabajo y el descanso, while turnarse belongs in a different sentence. Check the meaning you want before choosing.
- Wrong: Yo soy alternado el día y la noche. — Right: Yo he alternado el día y la noche. — Spanish perfect tenses use haber, not ser: he alternado, has alternado, ha alternado. Ser plus the participle makes a passive, not a perfect tense.
- Wrong: De niño, yo alterné dos presentadores en el programa todos los días. — Right: De niño, yo alternaba dos presentadores en el programa todos los días. — For a repeated habit in the past, use the imperfect (alternaba), not the preterite. The preterite (alterné) is for one finished action.
Quiz: test yourself
Ten questions on alternar. Choose the right form, then check the answer key below.
Complete the sentence: Yo ___ el trabajo y el descanso. (present tense) A. alterno B. alternas C. alterna D. alternamos
Complete the sentence: Ayer, él ___ el día y la noche. (preterite) A. alterné B. alternaste C. alternaron D. alternó
Complete the sentence: Antes, nosotros ___ dos presentadores en el programa. (imperfect) A. alternabas B. alternaban C. alternábamos D. alternaba
Complete the sentence: Mañana, tú ___ el estudio con el deporte. (future) A. alternaremos B. alternarás C. alternaré D. alternará
Complete the sentence: Yo ___ el trabajo y el descanso si pudiera. (conditional) A. alternaría B. alternarías C. alternarían D. alterno
Complete the sentence: Espero que él ___ el día y la noche. (present subjunctive) A. alternes B. alternemos C. alterno D. alterne
Complete the sentence: Si yo ___ dos presentadores en el programa, todo cambiaría. (imperfect subjunctive, -ra form) A. alternáramos B. alterno C. alternara D. alternaras
Complete the sentence: Nosotros ___ el estudio con el deporte. (present perfect) A. han alternado B. hemos alternado C. he alternado D. has alternado
Complete the command: ¡___ el trabajo y el descanso! (affirmative imperative, tú) A. alterna B. alterne C. alternemos D. alternad
Which is the gerund of alternar, used with estar for the progressive? A. alternado B. alterno C. alterné D. alternando
Answer key
- alterno — The first-person present of alternar is alterno. The other options are the tú, él/ella and nosotros forms.
- alternó — The third-person preterite of alternar is alternó, the form for a single finished action in the past.
- alternábamos — The nosotros imperfect of alternar is alternábamos, used here for a repeated past habit.
- alternarás — The second-person future of alternar is alternarás.
- alternaría — The first-person conditional of alternar is alternaría, the form for what would happen.
- alterne — After espero que, the subjunctive is required: the third-person present subjunctive of alternar is alterne.
- alternara — The first-person imperfect subjunctive (-ra) of alternar is alternara.
- hemos alternado — The nosotros present perfect of alternar is hemos alternado: hemos + alternado.
- alterna — The affirmative tú imperative of alternar is alterna.
- alternando — The gerund of alternar is alternando: estoy alternando. The participle alternado is used with haber instead.
Frequently asked questions
What does alternar mean in English?
Alternar means to alternate. It is used in everyday situations such as Alterno el trabajo y el descanso. The exact English wording depends on the context, but the core meaning stays the same across the tenses.
Is alternar regular or irregular?
Alternar is a fully regular -ar verb, so every tense follows the standard endings for its class. Once you know the regular pattern, you can produce every form on this page, including alterno in the present and alterné in the preterite.
What is the difference between alternar and turnarse?
Alternar means to alternate, while turnarse means to take turns with someone. They are easy to confuse because they appear in similar situations, but they are not interchangeable: use alternar when you mean to alternate, as in Alterno el trabajo y el descanso, and use turnarse for to take turns with someone. When in doubt, check the object of the sentence — it usually shows which verb fits.
How do I say “I alternate” in the past?
It depends on the kind of past. For one finished action, use the preterite: yo alterné el día y la noche. For a repeated habit or background in the past, use the imperfect: yo alternaba dos presentadores en el programa. For something that has just happened, use the present perfect: yo he alternado el día y la noche.
How do I practise alternar?
Start with the present tense table, then drill the preterite and the imperfect, since those two past tenses cause the most mistakes. Try the alternar examples and quiz page for more sentences, and use the Spanish Verb Quiz to test the forms under pressure.
Related links
- Alternar in the present tense — the full present-tense table for alternar.
- Alternar examples and quiz — more example sentences and practice for alternar.
- Spanish verbs — the Spanish hub, with every verb and tense guide.
- Alquilar conjugation — another -ar verb to compare with alternar.
- Almacenar conjugation — another -ar verb to compare with alternar.
- Anotar conjugation — another -ar verb to compare with alternar.
- Spanish Verb Conjugator — conjugate any Spanish verb in every tense.
- Spanish Verb Quiz — test yourself on real conjugated forms.