1.2.1

3 Types of Verbs

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AR, ER, IR Verbs

Spanish verbs can end in three different ways in the infinitive: AR. ER and IR. These different types of verbs all have different endings in the present tense.

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AR verbs

  • In the infinitive these verbs end in AR.
    • E.g. 'hablar' - to talk.
  • These verbs all have the same endings when conjugated.
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Regular AR verbs in present tense

  • Hablo - I talk.
  • Hablas - you (singular) talk.
  • Habla - he/she talks.
  • Hablamos - we talk.
  • Habláis - you (plural) talk.
  • Hablan - they talk.
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ER verbs

  • In the infinitive these verbs end in ER.
    • E.g. 'comer' - to eat.
  • These verbs all have the same endings when conjugated.
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Regular ER verbs in present tense

  • Como - I eat.
  • Comes - you (singular) eat.
  • Come - he/she eats.
  • Comemos - we eat.
  • Coméis - you (plural) eat.
  • Comen - they eat.
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IR verbs

  • In the infinitive these verbs end in IR.
    • E.g. 'vivir' - to live.
  • These verbs all have the same endings when conjugated.
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Regular IR verbs in present tense

  • Vivo - I live.
  • Vives - you (singular) live.
  • Vive - he/she lives.
  • Vivimos - we live.
  • Vivís - you (plural) live.
  • Viven - they live

The Infinitive

The infinitive is the form of the verb that translates as 'to do something' (e.g. 'to speak', 'to walk', 'to play').

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As a noun (e.g. objects)

  • The infinitive can be used as a noun in Spanish. It can be an object in the sentence.
    • Comer (🍴) es una necesidad.
      • Eating (or to eat) is a necessity.
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Two verbs together

  • When two verbs are used next to each other, the second verb must be an infinitive.
    • Yo sé hablar español.
      • I know how to speak Spanish.
    • E.g. Ellos no saben nadar (🏊).
      • They do not know how to swim.
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After prepositions (e.g of, for, by)

  • After some prepositions (words like of, by, or for), we need to use the infinitive.
    • Tratamos de comer (🍴) una dieta más sana.
      • We try to eat a healthier diet.

Jump to other topics

1The Basics

2Home & Abroad

3Education & Employment

4Personal Life & Relationships

5The World Around Us

6Social Activities, Fitness & Health

7Listening

8Common Tenses

9Important Verbs

10Advanced Tenses

11Extra Grammar

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