Tuve and he

Question

I am confused as to when to use tuve and when to use he.

eg. "I had to work" - He tenido trabajar. OR Tuve que trabajar.

Could someone please explain the difference in use.

Thanks so much!

Welcome to the forum, :) - 00494d19, Jan 4, 2012

Answer 1

"Tuve que trabajar" literally means I had to work, but "he tenido que trabajar" literally means I have had to work. Usually that's a pretty good way to decide which to use, but context always has to do with it.

Just remember, tuve and he tenido are both conjugations of the verb tener, you don't want to say "he tenido trabajar" without your que.

Thank you was now wondering which to use !!! - RiiRe, Oct 23, 2012

Answer 2

He tenido trabajar = I have to work. Compound verb Present Tense Tuve que trabajar = I had to work. Simple Past Tense verb with idiomatic usage of Tener que

He tenido trabajado en los EEUU. = I have worked in the US. Tuve que trabajar, por eso vine los EEUU. I had to work, for this I went to the US.

My two centavos.

Gringo, I thought "he tenido trabajar" was incorrect. - SonrisaDelSol, Jan 4, 2012

he tendio que trabajar, I have had/had to work - 00494d19, Jan 4, 2012

For minute Sonrisa I thought that you was being rude to the poster calling him/her gringo and then I noticed the name under the avatar, he he. - kenwilliams, Jan 4, 2012

L O L Ken! - SonrisaDelSol, Jan 4, 2012