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3 Types of Verbs

Spanish: Edexcel IGCSE, topic 1.2.1

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.

AR verbs

AR verbs

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

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.
ER verbs

ER verbs

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

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.
IR verbs

IR verbs

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

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').

As a noun (e.g. objects)

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.
Two verbs together

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.
After prepositions (e.g of, for, by)

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.

Test yourself on 3 Types of Verbs

  • What does 'comer' mean?

  • What is 'to drink' in Spanish?

  • Select the right form of a verb that would go after 'tratamos de' in Spanish?

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