How to Conjugate Verbs in Spanish: Present Tense
In order for a verb to match its subject, you must conjugate the verb. For more explanation, see [lesson 4: Conjugation Basics.]
Here are the steps of conjugating regular verbs in the present tense:
1. Choose the verb you need.
2. Write only the stem (the verb without the -ar, -er, or -ir ending.)
3. Add the ending that matches the subject.
Verb Endings:
-AR VERBS
-ER VERBS
-IR VERBS
Let's follow those steps with a few examples:
If you want to translate "I sing"
1. Choose the verb for "to sing:" cantar
2. Write the verb stem: cant
3. Add the ending to match yo: canto
If you want to translate "we swim"
1. Choose the verb for "to swim:" nadar
2. Write the verb stem: nad
3. Add the ending to match nosotros: nadamos
This process is only possible for regular verbs. Be careful! Some of the most common verbs are irregular. For more information about this, see [lesson 6: Irregular verbs].
Here are the steps of conjugating regular verbs in the present tense:
1. Choose the verb you need.
2. Write only the stem (the verb without the -ar, -er, or -ir ending.)
3. Add the ending that matches the subject.
Verb Endings:
-AR VERBS
| yo | -o | nosotros/as | -amos |
| tú | -as | vosotros/as | -áis |
| él, ella, Ud. | -a | ellos, ellas, Uds. | -an |
-ER VERBS
| yo | -o | nosotros/as | -emos |
| tú | -es | vosotros/as | -éis |
| él, ella, Ud. | -e | ellos, ellas, Uds. | -en |
-IR VERBS
| yo | -o | nosotros/as | -imos |
| tú | -es | vosotros/as | -ís |
| él, ella, Ud. | -e | ellos, ellas, Uds. | -en |
Let's follow those steps with a few examples:
If you want to translate "I sing"
1. Choose the verb for "to sing:" cantar
2. Write the verb stem: cant
3. Add the ending to match yo: canto
If you want to translate "we swim"
1. Choose the verb for "to swim:" nadar
2. Write the verb stem: nad
3. Add the ending to match nosotros: nadamos
This process is only possible for regular verbs. Be careful! Some of the most common verbs are irregular. For more information about this, see [lesson 6: Irregular verbs].
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