As you may know, the conjugation of irregular verbs is quite a learning challenge since they do not follow the regular pattern of conjugation that applies to most verbs. They have a unique and irregular form.
Some undergo stem changes, where the vowel in the verb stem changes in certain conjugations. Others may have spelling changes, where specific letters are modified to maintain pronunciation.
Most importantly, they require memorization, as there is no specific rule or pattern to follow. However, with practice and exposure to these verbs in context, their conjugation becomes more familiar and automatic.
In this blog we will review the rules to conjugate irregular verbs in the PRESENT TENSE. Vamos a empezar
1. Stem-changing Verbs:
The stem-changing rule does not apply to the pronouns ‘Nosotros (as)’ or ‘Vosotros (as)’ they follow the pattern of regular verbs.
Some verbs have an "e" in their stem that changes to "ie" in certain conjugations. For example, in the verb "QUERER" (to want), the "e" in the stem changes to "ie."
Yo quiero (I want)
Tú quieres (You want)
Él/Ella/Usted quiere (He/She wants) (You want)
Nosotros/as queremos (We want)
Vosotros/as queréis (You all want)
Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes quieren (They/You all want)
Other verbs have an "o" in their stem that changes to "ue" in certain conjugations. For example, in the verb "PODER" (to be able to/can), the "o" in the stem changes to "ue."
Yo puedo (I can)
Tú puedes (You can)
Él/Ella/Usted puede (He/She/You can)
Nosotros/as podemos (We can)
Vosotros/as podéis (You all can)
Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes pueden (They/You all can)
A few verbs have an "e" in their stem that changes to "i" in certain conjugations. The verb “PEDIR” is one example. The conjugation is:
Yo pido (I ask/request)
Tú pides (You ask/request)
Él/Ella/Usted pide (He/She asks/requests) (You ask)
Nosotros/as pedimos (We ask/request)
Vosotros/as pedís (You all ask/request)
Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes piden (They/You all ask/request)
2. Completely irregular verbs
Some irregular verbs do not follow any specific pattern and have unique conjugation forms in the present tense. They need to be memorized individually. The good part is that there are just a few. Here is a list:
3. Verbs where only the pronoun "YO" (I) is irregular
In some verbs, the conjugation for "yo" (I) is irregular, while the remaining pronouns follow the regular conjugation patterns. This means that when you use these verbs to talk about yourself (yo), there is a change in the ending or the form of the verb.
For example, let's take the verb "dar" (to give):
Yo doy (I give)
Tú das (You give)
Él/Ella/Usted da (He/She gives) (You give)
Nosotros/as damos (We give)
Vosotros/as dais (You all give)
Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes dan (They/You all give)
Ahora that you have a glimpse into the world of irregular verbs in the present tense, it's time to put your knowledge into action!
I've prepared a document with 100 irregular verbs for you to practice. Download it below:
Some undergo stem changes, where the vowel in the verb stem changes in certain conjugations. Others may have spelling changes, where specific letters are modified to maintain pronunciation.
Most importantly, they require memorization, as there is no specific rule or pattern to follow. However, with practice and exposure to these verbs in context, their conjugation becomes more familiar and automatic.
In this blog we will review the rules to conjugate irregular verbs in the PRESENT TENSE. Vamos a empezar
1. Stem-changing Verbs:
The stem-changing rule does not apply to the pronouns ‘Nosotros (as)’ or ‘Vosotros (as)’ they follow the pattern of regular verbs.
- E to IE:
Some verbs have an "e" in their stem that changes to "ie" in certain conjugations. For example, in the verb "QUERER" (to want), the "e" in the stem changes to "ie."
Yo quiero (I want)
Tú quieres (You want)
Él/Ella/Usted quiere (He/She wants) (You want)
Nosotros/as queremos (We want)
Vosotros/as queréis (You all want)
Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes quieren (They/You all want)
- O to UE:
Other verbs have an "o" in their stem that changes to "ue" in certain conjugations. For example, in the verb "PODER" (to be able to/can), the "o" in the stem changes to "ue."
Yo puedo (I can)
Tú puedes (You can)
Él/Ella/Usted puede (He/She/You can)
Nosotros/as podemos (We can)
Vosotros/as podéis (You all can)
Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes pueden (They/You all can)
- E to I:
A few verbs have an "e" in their stem that changes to "i" in certain conjugations. The verb “PEDIR” is one example. The conjugation is:
Yo pido (I ask/request)
Tú pides (You ask/request)
Él/Ella/Usted pide (He/She asks/requests) (You ask)
Nosotros/as pedimos (We ask/request)
Vosotros/as pedís (You all ask/request)
Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes piden (They/You all ask/request)
2. Completely irregular verbs
Some irregular verbs do not follow any specific pattern and have unique conjugation forms in the present tense. They need to be memorized individually. The good part is that there are just a few. Here is a list:
- Ser (to be) - yo soy, tú eres, él/ella/usted es, nosotros (as) somos, ellos/ellas/ustedes son
- Ir (to go) - yo voy, tú vas, él/ella/usted va, nosotros (as) vamos, ellos/ellas/ustedes van
- Estar (to be) - yo soy, tú eres, él/ella/usted es, nosotros (as) somos, ellos/ellas/ustedes son
- Tener (to have) - yo tengo, tú tienes, él/ella/usted tiene, nosotros (as) tenemos, ellos/ellas/ustedes tienen
- Venir (to come) - yo vengo, tú vienes, él/ella/usted viene, nosotros (as) venimos, ellos/ellas/ustedes vienen
- Decir (to say/tell) - yo digo, tú dices, él/ella/usted dice, nosotros (as) decimos, ellos/ellas/ustedes dicen
- Ver (to see/to watch) - yo veo, tú vienes, él/ella/usted viene, nosotros (as) venimos, ellos/ellas/ustedes vienen
- Oír (to hear) - yo oigo, tú oyes, él/ella/usted oye, nosotros (as) oímos, ellos/ellas/ustedes oyen
3. Verbs where only the pronoun "YO" (I) is irregular
In some verbs, the conjugation for "yo" (I) is irregular, while the remaining pronouns follow the regular conjugation patterns. This means that when you use these verbs to talk about yourself (yo), there is a change in the ending or the form of the verb.
For example, let's take the verb "dar" (to give):
Yo doy (I give)
Tú das (You give)
Él/Ella/Usted da (He/She gives) (You give)
Nosotros/as damos (We give)
Vosotros/as dais (You all give)
Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes dan (They/You all give)
Ahora that you have a glimpse into the world of irregular verbs in the present tense, it's time to put your knowledge into action!
I've prepared a document with 100 irregular verbs for you to practice. Download it below:
We have learned that irregular verbs do not follow the regular patterns of conjugation and have unique forms. Also, memorization is crucial as there is no specific rule or pattern to follow for irregular verbs.
Be consistent, keep practicing and engaging with the language, and explore new ways to incorporate these verbs into your everyday conversations.
Thank you for taking the time to read our blog.
Thank you for taking the time to read our blog.
Created with
