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Deber Present Practice

Deber (must, should, to owe) in the present: 14 free exercises with an explanation after every answer, plus the full conjugation table.

•14 exercises•Regular -er•A1 – A2 level
IWhat to watch for

Deber is a regular -er verb, conjugated exactly like comer: debo, debes, debe, debemos, debéis, deben. It is almost always followed by an infinitive with no preposition: debes descansar, you must rest.

Three meanings to keep apart: obligation or advice (debes estudiar más), a guess with de (debe de estar en casa, he must be at home) and owing (te debo diez euros). Tener que is the everyday alternative for obligation; deber sounds more like a moral or formal duty.

IIConjugation
deberPresent
yo
debo
tú
debes
él / ella / usted
debe
nosotros
debemos
vosotros
debéis
ellos / ustedes
deben
Fully regular in every tense, conjugated like comer; as a modal verb it has no everyday commands, so that tense is left out.

Download the deber conjugation worksheet (PDF) — free, with answer key

42 exercises on deber across 7 tenses on one printable worksheet: each tense opens with its conjugation table, and the answer key with short explanations is at the end. Fits A4 and US Letter. Free for classroom use — no sign-up.

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IIIPractice exercises

Practice.

Answer first, then read the explanation. Don't skip it — that's the whole point.

Exercise 01 of 14Tag: Obligation
Fill in the blank

Hoy yo _____ terminar el informe antes de las cinco. (deber)

Today I must finish the report before five.

Exercise 02 of 14Tag: Advice
Fill in the blank

Si te duele tanto, _____ ir al médico. (deber)

If it hurts that much, you should go to the doctor.

Exercise 03 of 14Tag: Conjecture
Fill in the blank

No contesta al teléfono; _____ de estar en el metro. (deber)

He isn't answering the phone; he must be on the metro.

Exercise 04 of 14Tag: Nosotros form
Fill in the blank

Nosotros _____ respetar las normas del edificio como todos. (deber)

We must follow the building rules like everyone else.

Exercise 05 of 14Tag: Obligation
Fill in the blank

Los pasajeros _____ presentarse en la puerta de embarque media hora antes. (deber)

Passengers must be at the boarding gate half an hour before departure.

Exercise 06 of 14Tag: Yo form
Fill in the blank

Te _____ una disculpa por lo de ayer; me porté fatal. (deber)

I owe you an apology for yesterday; I behaved terribly.

Exercise 07 of 14Tag: Tú form
Fill in the blank

¿Cuánto le _____ tú todavía al banco por el coche? (deber)

How much do you still owe the bank for the car?

Exercise 08 of 14Tag: Obligation
Fill in the blank

Todo conductor _____ llevar el cinturón puesto. (deber)

Every driver must wear a seat belt.

Exercise 09 of 14Tag: Nosotros form
Fill in the blank

Mi hermano y yo _____ visitar más a la abuela; está muy sola. (deber)

My brother and I should visit our grandmother more; she's very lonely.

Exercise 10 of 14Tag: Conjecture
Fill in the blank

Mis vecinos no están; _____ de estar de vacaciones. (deber)

My neighbours aren't in; they must be on holiday.

Exercise 11 of 14Tag: Vosotros form
Fill in the blank

Vosotros _____ decidir antes del viernes si venís o no. (deber)

You (all) must decide before Friday whether you're coming or not.

Exercise 12 of 14Tag: Advice
Fill in the blank

No _____ comer tanto por la noche; luego duermo fatal. (deber)

I shouldn't eat so much at night; I sleep terribly afterwards.

Exercise 13 of 14Tag: Tú form
Fill in the blank

Tú no _____ preocuparte por eso; ya está solucionado. (deber)

You shouldn't worry about that; it's already sorted.

Exercise 14 of 14Tag: Él/ella form
Fill in the blank

El ministro _____ una explicación a los ciudadanos. (deber)

The minister owes the public an explanation.

Every answer is explained

Not just a green check. A short paragraph telling you why.

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