In Spanish, most verbs are classified into three families according to their infinitive endings: -ar, -er, and -ir. Regular verbs in each category follow predictable conjugation patterns that modify the verb ending to match the subject and tense.
- Verb families: -ar, -er, -ir
- Each family uses its own set of endings for each tense
- Learning one pattern covers many verbs at once
-ar, -er, and -ir are the regular verb endings.
Present Tense: A, E, I
The three verb classes use distinct endings for common tenses. For example, in the present tense:
| Subject | -ar | -er | -ir |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yo | -o | -o | -o |
| Tú | -as | -es | -es |
| Él/Ella/Ud | -a | -e | -e |
| Nosotros | -amos | -emos | -imos |
| Vosotros | -áis | -éis | -ís |
| Ellos/Uds | -an | -en | -en |
Examples:
- Comprar (to buy): compro, compras, compra, compramos, compráis, compran
- Beber (to drink): bebo, bebes, bebe, bebemos, bebéis, beben
- Vivir (to live): vivo, vives, vive, vivimos, vivís, viven
For -ar verbs, use -o, -as, -a, -amos, -áis, -an.
-er and -ir verbs share most endings (-o, -es, -e, ...), but differ for nosotros/vosotros.
Past Tense (Preterite): A / E / I
In the preterite, regular endings are:
| Subject | -ar | -er / -ir |
|---|---|---|
| Yo | -é | -í |
| Tú | -aste | -iste |
| Él/Ella/Ud | -ó | -ió |
| Nosotros | -amos | -imos |
| Vosotros | -asteis | -isteis |
| Ellos/Uds | -aron | -ieron |
Examples:
- Viajar (to travel): viajé, viajaste, viajó, viajamos, viajasteis, viajaron
- Aprender (to learn): aprendí, aprendiste, aprendió, aprendimos, aprendisteis, aprendieron
- Salir (to leave): salí, saliste, salió, salimos, salisteis, salieron
For -ar: -é, -aste, -ó, -amos, -asteis, -aron.
-er/-ir verbs get -í, -iste, -ió, -imos, -isteis, -ieron.
Conclusion
Spanish regular verbs fall into three families—-ar, -er, and -ir—each with its own systematic conjugation patterns for every tense. Mastering these patterns unlocks correct verb usage for hundreds of verbs.
- Regular verbs are grouped by their infinitive endings: -ar, -er, -ir.
- Each family has specific endings for each tense and subject.
- Learning one pattern allows you to conjugate many verbs correctly.
The three main endings are -ar, -er, and -ir.
Yes, -er and -ir verbs share very similar conjugation patterns.
Regular patterns let you conjugate many verbs correctly once you learn them.