9.1.3

Irregular AR Verbs 2

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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.
  • 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

2You, Family & Home

3School & Jobs

4Town, Shopping, Food, Drink

5Free Time

6Holiday

7The World Around Us

8Present Tense

9Past Tense

10Future Tense

11Conditional

12Grammar

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