Present Tense Verb Conjugation in Spanish
The present indicative (el presente de indicativo) is the most used tense in Spanish. It describes actions that happen now, habitual actions, general truths, and sometimes future events. Understanding the regular patterns and the most common irregular verbs will let you speak and write with confidence.
1. Regular Verb Endings
Spanish verbs fall into three groups according to their infinitive endings: -ar, -er, and -ir. The endings for each subject pronoun are the same for all regular verbs in the same group.
-AR verbs
| Pronoun | Ending | Example (hablar to speak) |
|---|---|---|
| yo | -o | hablo |
| t | -as | hablas |
| l/ella/usted | -a | habla |
| nosotros/as | -amos | hablamos |
| vosotros/as | -is | hablis |
| ellos/ellas/ustedes | -an | hablan |
-ER verbs
| Pronoun | Ending | Example (comer to eat) |
|---|---|---|
| yo | -o | como |
| t | -es | comes |
| l/ella/usted | -e | come |
| nosotros/as | -emos | comemos |
| vosotros/as | -is | comis |
| ellos/ellas/ustedes | -en | comen |
-IR verbs
| Pronoun | Ending | Example (vivir to live) |
|---|---|---|
| yo | -o | vivo |
| t | -es | vives |
| l/ella/usted | -e | vive |
| nosotros/as | -imos | vivimos |
| vosotros/as | -s | vivs |
| ellos/ellas/ustedes | -en | viven |
2. Common Irregularities
Many frequently used verbs do not follow the regular patterns. Below are the main types of irregularities and a representative list.
2.1 StemChanging (e ie, o ue, e i)
For most stemchanging verbs, the change occurs in all forms except nosotros and vosotros.
2.2 Irregular Yo Forms
Some verbs have a unique firstperson singular form but follow regular endings otherwise.
- Hacer hago
- Salir salgo
- Traer traigo
- Venir vengo
- Decir digo
- Poner pongo
- Conducir conduzco
2.3 Completely Irregular Verbs
These verbs must be memorized because they deviate from all patterns.
| Verb | Yo | T | l/Ella/Ud. | Nosotros | Vosotros | Ellos/Ellas/Uds. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ser | soy | eres | es | somos | sois | son |
| ir | voy | vas | va | vamos | vais | van |
| estar | estoy | ests | est | estamos | estis | estn |
| haber | he | has | ha | hemos | habis | han |
| dar | doy | das | da | damos | dis | dan |
3. Using the Present Tense
Below are the main contexts where the present indicative is appropriate.
3.1 Actions happening now
Yo estudio espaol. I am studying Spanish.
3.2 Habitual or repeated actions
Juan corre todas las maanas. Juan runs every morning.
3.3 General truths
El agua hierve a 100C. Water boils at 100C.
3.4 Near future (with ir a + infinitive)
Voy a viajar a Mxico maana. Im going
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