8.1.2

Irregular AR Verbs

Test yourself

Stem Changing AR Verbs (E → IE)

When conjugating some AR verbs in the present tense, the 'e' in the infinitive becomes 'ie'. This does NOT happen in the 'vosotros' and 'nosotros' forms.

Illustrative background for Cerrar - to closeIllustrative background for Cerrar - to close ?? "content

Cerrar - to close

  • Cierro - I close.
  • Cierras - you close.
  • Cierra - he/she closes.
  • Cerramos - we close.
  • Cerráis - you close.
  • Cierran - they close.
Illustrative background for Comenzar - to startIllustrative background for Comenzar - to start ?? "content

Comenzar - to start

  • Comienzo - I start.
  • Comienzas - you start.
  • Comienza - he/she starts.
  • Comenzamos - we start.
  • Comenzáis - you start.
  • Comienzan - they start.
Illustrative background for Empezar - to beginIllustrative background for Empezar - to begin ?? "content

Empezar - to begin

  • Empiezo - I begin.
  • Empiezas - you begin.
  • Empieza - he/she begins.
  • Empezamos - we begin.
  • Empezáis - you begin.
  • Empiezan - they begin.
Illustrative background for Pensar - to thinkIllustrative background for Pensar - to think ?? "content

Pensar - to think

  • Pienso - I think.
  • Piensas - you think.
  • Piensa - he/she thinks.
  • Pensamos - we think.
  • Pensáis - you think.
  • Piensan - they think.
Illustrative background for Nevar - to snowIllustrative background for Nevar - to snow ?? "content

Nevar - to snow

  • Nieva - It snows.
    • This verb is only used in the 3rd person singular form.
  • Hiela - It freezes.
    • This verb is only used in the 3rd person singular form.
Illustrative background for Other verbs that follow this patternIllustrative background for Other verbs that follow this pattern ?? "content

Other verbs that follow this pattern

  • Merendar - to have a snack, to have a picnic.
  • Recomendar - to recommend.
  • Sentarse - to sit.
  • Negar - to deny.

Stem Changing AR Verbs (O → UE)

In Spanish in the present tense some AR verbs change when conjugated. The 'o' in the infinitive becomes 'ue'. This does NOT happen in the 'vosotros' and 'nosotros' forms. Derivatives of these verbs follow the same pattern.

Illustrative background for Stem changes O → UEIllustrative background for Stem changes O → UE ?? "content

Stem changes O → UE

  • 'Soñar' (to dream) becomes 'sueño' (I dream).
  • 'Encontrar' (to find) becomes 'encuentro' (I find).
Illustrative background for Soñar - to dreamIllustrative background for Soñar - to dream ?? "content

Soñar - to dream

  • Sueño - I dream.
  • Sueñas - you dream.
  • Sueña - He/she dreams.
  • Soñamos - we dream.
  • Soñáis - you dream.
  • Sueñan - they dream.
Illustrative background for Aprobar - to approveIllustrative background for Aprobar - to approve ?? "content

Aprobar - to approve

  • Apruebo - I approve.
  • Apruebas - you approve.
  • Aprueba - he/she approves.
  • Aprobamos - we approve.
  • Aprobáis - you approve.
  • Aprueban - they approve.
Illustrative background for Costar - to be difficult, costIllustrative background for Costar - to be difficult, cost ?? "content

Costar - to be difficult, cost

  • Cuesto - I am difficult.
  • Cuestas - you are difficult.
  • Cuesta - he/she is difficult.
  • Costamos - we are difficult.
  • Costáis - you are difficult.
  • Cuestan - they are difficult.
Illustrative background for Mostrar - to showIllustrative background for Mostrar - to show ?? "content

Mostrar - to show

  • Muestro - I show.
  • Muestras - you show.
  • Muestra - he/she shows.
  • Mostramos - we show.
  • Mostráis - you show.
  • Muestran - they show.
Illustrative background for Verbs that follow this pattern:Illustrative background for Verbs that follow this pattern: ?? "content

Verbs that follow this pattern:

  • Volar - to fly.
  • Recordar - to remember.
  • Colgar - to put (photos on social media)
  • Almorzar - to have lunch.
  • Encontrar - to find.
  • Probar - to try/taste.
  • Acordar - to agree on.
  • Contar - to count/tell.

Exceptions

Some verbs don't follow the same patterns as other regular or irregular verbs.

Illustrative background for Jugar - to playIllustrative background for Jugar - to play ?? "content

Jugar - to play

  • Although it doesn't have an O, 'jugar' follows the same pattern as verbs that change from O → UE.
    • E.g. Jugar → juego (I play).
Illustrative background for Dar - to give Illustrative background for Dar - to give  ?? "content

Dar - to give

  • 'Dar' only changes in the first person.
    • Dar → doy (I give).
  • After that, it works like a regular AR verb.
Illustrative background for Esquiar - to skiIllustrative background for Esquiar - to ski ?? "content

Esquiar - to ski

  • Esquío - I ski.
  • Esquías - you ski.
  • Esquía - he/she skis.
  • Esquiamos - we ski.
  • Esquiáis - you ski.
  • Esquían - they ski.
Illustrative background for Confiar - to trustIllustrative background for Confiar - to trust ?? "content

Confiar - to trust

  • Confío - I trust.
  • Confías - you trust.
  • Confía - he/she trusts.
  • Confiamos - we trust.
  • Confiáis - you trust.
  • Confían - they trust.
Illustrative background for Continuar - to continueIllustrative background for Continuar - to continue ?? "content

Continuar - to continue

  • Continúo - I continue.
  • Continúas - you continue.
  • Continúa - he/she continue.
  • Continuamos - we continue.
  • Continuáis - you continue.
  • Continúan - they continue.

Jump to other topics

1Phonics/Alphabet/Spellings

2You, Family & Home

3School & Jobs

4Town, Shopping, Food, Drink

5Free Time

6Holiday

7The World Around Us

8Present Tense

9Past Tense

10Future Tense

11Conditional

12Grammar

Go student ad image

Unlock your full potential with GoStudent tutoring

  • Affordable 1:1 tutoring from the comfort of your home

  • Tutors are matched to your specific learning needs

  • 30+ school subjects covered

Book a free trial lesson