top of page
Search

How to Use the Verb GUSTAR - Singular & Plural Nouns, Verbs and negative sentences

Me gustan los libros.
Me gustan los libros.

Now you’ve started learning the verb GUSTAR… but you still feel confused?!


If the verb GUSTAR is absolutely new to you, I advise you to check the previous blog where I guide you from the beginning.


Here you’ll learn exactly how to use GUSTAR correctly with:


  • Singular nouns - countable - (such as table, house, apple)

  • Singular nouns - uncountable - (such as water, wine, bread)

  • Plural nouns (such as apples, books)

  • Verbs (such as dancing, eating, learning!)

  • In negative sentences.


Let’s break it down step by step…


Firstly,  What does GUSTAR really mean?

The verb GUSTAR doesn't translate directly to "to like" : It's better understood as:

“to be pleasing to someone.”


Let's remember how to conjugate the verb GUSTAR in the Present Tense.

The verb GUSTAR is only conjugated to agree with the thing being liked, not the person who likes it.

Subject of the sentence

Use this form of GUSTAR 

Singular noun or verb

gusta

Plural noun or verb

gustan


Another important part of this verb is the pronoun that must go with the verb GUSTAR. We also revised this in the previous blog.

Pronoun

(Indirect Object Pronoun)

Meaning

me

to me

te

to you

le

to him/her/you (formal)

nos

to us

os

to you all (Spain)

les

to them/you all


1. Using GUSTAR with Singular Nouns

Use the third person singular form GUSTA when talking about a single countable noun you like.

  • Me gusta el libro. : I like the book.


Use the third person singular form GUSTA when talking about an uncountable noun you like.

  • ¿Te gusta la música clásica? : Do you like classical music? 

(‘musica’ is an uncountable noun)


Structure:     [Indirect Object Pronoun] + gusta + singular noun


Note: The noun (not the person) is the subject of the sentence.



2. Using GUSTAR with Plural Nouns

Use the third person plural form GUSTAN when talking about more than one thing you like.

  • Me gustan los libros. : I like the books.

  • ¿Te gustan las frutas? : Do you like fruits?


Structure:     [Indirect Object Pronoun] + gustan + singular noun

Note: The verb changes based on what is liked, not who likes it.


Now you understand how to use the verb GUSTAR with nouns… Let’s learn how to use it with actions (verbs)



3. Using Gustar with Verbs (Actions)

Here’s the fun part! When you like doing something, you use gusta (always singular) even if you mention more than one activity.

  • Me gusta bailar. : I like to dance.

  • Nos gusta leer y escribir. : We like reading and writing.


Structure: [Indirect Object Pronoun] + gusta + verb (infinitive)

Why singular? Because the verb or action (like dancing) is considered a single concept.



Becareful! Whilst in English you can say … I like running. … In Spanish you should NOT say Me gusta corriendo.

In English structure the word ‘running' acts as a noun. In Spanish structure 'running' is still a verb. When you have two verbs together in a sentence the second verb always remains infinitive. ‘Correr’ - “Me gusta correr.”

Do you want to make a negative sentence? With the verb GUSTAR always place “NO” in front of the pronoun, not in front of the verb.


Correct : 

No me gusta el café.

No nos gusta viajar.

Incorrect:

Me no gusta el café.

Nos no gusta viajar.


Practice Time!

Translate the following into Spanish:

  1. I like apples.

  2. We like to travel.

  3. She likes chocolate and coffee.


  1. You don’t like ice cream.


  1. I don’t like eating ice cream.

  2. They like running.



Answers:

  1. Me gustan las manzanas. 

  2. Nos gusta viajar.

  3. Le gustan el chocolate y el café.

  4. No te gusta el helado.

  5. No me gusta comer helado.

  6. Les gusta correr.

¿Te gusta aprender español?


With a little practice, GUSTAR will feel natural in no time.


 
 
 

Comments

bottom of page