17.1.3

Irregular AR Verbs 2

Test yourself

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.
  • Empezamos - we began.
  • Empezasteis - you began.
  • Empezaron - they began.
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.
  • Comenzamos - we started.
  • Comenzasteis - you started.
  • Comenzaron - they started.
Illustrative background for Utilizar - to useIllustrative background for Utilizar - to use ?? "content

Utilizar - to use

  • Utili - I used.
  • Utilizaste - you used.
  • Utilizó - she used.
  • Utilizamos - we used.
  • Utilizasteis - you used.
  • Utilizaron - they used.
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.

'Strong Preterites'

'Strong preterites' differ from the general rules but still follow a pattern. They do NOT have any accents on the endings - instead, the stress falls on the stem of the verb.

Illustrative background for Andar - to walkIllustrative background for Andar - to walk ?? "content

Andar - to walk

  • Add 'uv' at the end of the stem:
    • Anduve - I walked.
    • Anduviste - you walked.
    • Anduvo - he walked.
    • Anduvimos - we walked.
    • Anduvisteis - you walked.
    • Anduvieron - they walked.
Illustrative background for Estar - to beIllustrative background for Estar - to be ?? "content

Estar - to be

  • Add 'uv' at the end of the stem:
    • Estuve - I was.
    • Estuviste - you were.
    • Estuvo - she was.
    • Estuvimos - we were.
    • Estuvisteis - you were.
    • Estuvieron - they were.
Illustrative background for Dar - to giveIllustrative background for Dar - to give ?? "content

Dar - to give

  • Changes the vowel to 'i':
    • Di - I gave.
    • Diste - you gave.
    • Dio - she gave.
    • Dimos - we gave.
    • Disteis - you gave.
    • Dieron - they gave.

Jump to other topics

1Phonics/Alphabet/Spellings

2My Family & I

3Time

4Home

5Body & Illness

6Relationships

7Customs & Festivals

8School

9Jobs

10Town & Shopping

11Food & Health Life

12Free Time

13Social Media

14Holiday

15The World Around Us

16Present Tense

17Past Tense

18Future Tense

19Conditional

20Grammar

Unlock your full potential with Seneca Premium

  • Unlimited access to 10,000+ open-ended exam questions

  • Mini-mock exams based on your study history

  • Unlock 800+ premium courses & e-books

Get started with Seneca Premium