8.2.5

Preterite: Irregular 'AR' Verbs (3/3)

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Verbs Ending in 'zar' in the Preterite Tense

AR verbs that en in 'zar' have an irregular 'yo' form in the preterite tense. The 'zar' in the infinitive changes to 'cé' in the 'yo' form, e.g. comenzar → comen (to start → I started).

Illustrative background for Empezar - to beginIllustrative background for Empezar - to begin ?? "content

Empezar - to begin

  • Empe - I began.
  • Empezaste - you began.
  • Empezó - he/she began / you began (formal)
  • Empezamos - we began.
  • Empezasteis - you began (plural).
  • Empezaron - they began / you began (formal plural)
Illustrative background for Comenzar - to startIllustrative background for Comenzar - to start ?? "content

Comenzar - to start

  • Comen - I started.
  • Comenzaste - you started.
  • Comenzó - he/she started / you started (formal)
  • Comenzamos - we started.
  • Comenzasteis - you started (plural).
  • Comenzaron - they started / you started (formal plural)
Illustrative background for Utilizar - to useIllustrative background for Utilizar - to use ?? "content

Utilizar - to use

  • Utili - I used.
  • Utilizaste - you used.
  • Utilizó - he/she used / you used (formal)
  • Utilizamos - we used.
  • Utilizasteis - you used (plural).
  • Utilizaron - they used / you used (formal plural)
Illustrative background for Similar verbsIllustrative background for Similar verbs ?? "content

Similar verbs

  • Other verbs that follow this pattern include:
    • Almorzar - to have lunch.
    • Amenazar - to threaten.
    • Cruzar - to cross.
    • Organizar - to organise.
    • Alcanzar - to reach.

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