Learn Spanish: Present of regular verbs (basic level)

Summary

In this lesson on Spanish verb conjugation, we explore the present tense of regular verbs in the three main conjugations: -AR, -ER, and -IR. The video covers the basic rules for conjugating regular verbs, with examples such as 'hablar', 'comer', and 'vivir'. It also highlights irregular verbs with orthographic changes, like 'proteger' and 'vencer'. Through clear examples and practice exercises, viewers can learn how to correctly conjugate regular verbs and understand exceptions. This is an essential video for beginner learners aiming to master the present tense in Spanish.

Takeaways

• 😀 Spanish verbs are categorized into three conjugations based on their infinitive endings: -AR, -ER, and -IR.
• 😀 Regular verbs follow specific conjugation patterns in the present tense, depending on their conjugation group.
• 😀 All verbs in the present tense have six forms, corresponding to six grammatical persons: yo, tú, él/ella/usted, nosotros/nosotras, vosotros/vosotras, ellos/ellas/ustedes.
• 😀 For regular -AR verbs, the endings are: -o, -as, -a, -amos, -áis, -an (e.g., hablar → hablo, hablas, habla, hablamos, habláis, hablan).
• 😀 For regular -ER verbs, the endings are: -o, -es, -e, -emos, -éis, -en (e.g., comer → como, comes, come, comemos, coméis, comen).
• 😀 For regular -IR verbs, the endings are: -o, -es, -e, -imos, -ís, -en (e.g., vivir → vivo, vives, vive, vivimos, vivís, viven).
• 😀 The first-person singular (yo) form is always the same in all three conjugations, ending in -o.
• 😀 The present tense of regular -ER and -IR verbs shares the same endings for all persons except for nosotros/nosotras and vosotros/vosotras.
• 😀 Some verbs require orthographic changes in the first-person singular (yo) form to maintain pronunciation, especially verbs ending in -ger, -gir, and -guir.
• 😀 Irregular verbs, like those ending in -cer, -cir, and -quir, also experience changes in the first-person singular to preserve the correct pronunciation, often replacing 'c' with 'z' or 'qu'.
• 😀 The script includes a practice exercise with regular verb conjugations to reinforce learning, encouraging further practice in the provided online course.

Q & A

What are the three conjugations of verbs in Spanish?

The three conjugations in Spanish are based on the verb endings in the infinitive form: -AR (1st conjugation), -ER (2nd conjugation), and -IR (3rd conjugation).

Can you provide examples of verbs in each conjugation?

Yes, verbs in the 1st conjugation (–AR) include 'hablar' (to speak), 'trabajar' (to work), and 'estudiar' (to study); in the 2nd conjugation (–ER), verbs like 'comer' (to eat), 'tener' (to have), and 'leer' (to read); and in the 3rd conjugation (–IR), verbs such as 'vivir' (to live), 'escribir' (to write), and 'decir' (to say).

How do you conjugate regular verbs in the present tense?

To conjugate regular verbs in the present tense, remove the infinitive ending (-ar, -er, -ir) and add the appropriate endings for each subject pronoun, depending on the conjugation.

What is the rule for conjugating verbs in the first person singular (yo)?

In the present tense, the first person singular (yo) for regular verbs always ends in -o, regardless of whether the verb ends in -AR, -ER, or -IR.

Are there any exceptions for regular verbs in the present tense?

Yes, there are exceptions for some verbs that have spelling changes in the first person singular (yo) to maintain pronunciation. For example, 'proteger' becomes 'yo protejo' and 'elegir' becomes 'yo elijo'.

Why do verbs like 'proteger' and 'elegir' change in the first person singular?

These verbs change in the first person singular to preserve the correct pronunciation. For example, 'proteger' uses 'yo protejo' to maintain the 'j' sound, and 'elegir' uses 'yo elijo' to preserve the 'j' sound in the first person.

How do verbs ending in -cer, -cir, and -quir behave in the present tense?

For verbs ending in -cer, -cir, and -quir, the first person singular form typically changes the 'c' to 'z' or 'qu' to preserve the pronunciation. For example, 'vencer' becomes 'yo venzo' and 'delinquir' becomes 'yo delinco'.

Can you give examples of verbs that undergo spelling changes in the first person?

Yes, some examples include 'proteger' (yo protejo), 'elegir' (yo elijo), 'vencer' (yo venzo), 'esparcir' (yo esparzo), and 'delinquir' (yo delinco).

What do regular verbs in –ER and –IR conjugate like in the present tense?

Regular verbs in –ER and –IR conjugate similarly in the present tense, with the same endings for most subject pronouns. The only difference is in the forms for 'nosotros' and 'vosotros'.

What kind of practice is suggested in the video for learning regular present tense conjugation?

The video suggests practicing more exercises through the 'Verbos' course in the Zona Premium section of the website, and also mentions a follow-up video that covers irregular present tense conjugations.