Pattern: In Spanish, there are three categories of verbs defined by the last two letters of the infinitive form: -AR (like hablar [to speak]), -ER (like comer [to eat]), -IR (like vivir [to live]). In order to make a verb agree with the subject of the sentence, it must be conjugated.

The Present Tense

The present tense in Spanish is usually used to talk about an action that is happening now, but it can also mean three slightly different things. In the case of the verb hablar, it can mean:

yo hablo I speak

yo hablo I am speaking

yo hablo I do speak

Infinitive Verbs

All verbs have an infinitive form. In Spanish, infinitive forms end in -AR, -ER, or -IR. Hablar is an infinitive which means "to talk; to speak."

Regular Verbs

For most Spanish verbs, there is a consistent conjugation pattern. These verbs are considered to be “regular” verbs. This is very important because once you learn the pattern, you are well on your way to mastery of Spanish verbs in general.

-AR Verb Conjugation

In order to conjugate a verb, you must remove the ending (in this case, -AR) from the verb stem. In the case of the regular -AR verb hablar, the verb stem is habl. Then, simply add the ending that agrees with the subject of the sentence.

In the case of the verb hablar, the six present tense forms are: (yo) hablo, (tú) hablas, (él) habla, (nosotros) hablamos, (vosotros) habláis, (ellos) hablan. These forms are equivalent to the English forms I speak, you speak, he speaks, we speak, you guys speak, and they speak.

• Note that since the verb changes to match the subject of the sentence, it is possible to leave the subject or subject pronoun out of the sentence entirely. In fact, it is very common among native speakers.

Here is a sample list of common regular -AR verbs: hablar (to speak), estudiar (to study), nadar (to swim), visitar (to visit), bailar (to dance), cantar (to sing), andar (to walk), comprar (to buy), mirar (to watch), necesitar (to need), tocar (to play), trabajar (to work), ayudar (to help), amar (to love).

-ER Verb Conjugation

Regular -ER verbs (such as comer) follow a very similar pattern to regular -AR verbs: You must first remove the ending (in this case, -ER) from the verb stem. In the case of the regular -ER verb comer, the verb stem is com. Then, simply add the ending that agrees with the subject of the sentence.

In the case of the verb comer, the six present tens

e forms are: (yo) como, (tú) comes, (él) come, (nosotros) comemos, (vosotros) coméis, (ellos) comen. These forms are equivalent to the English forms I eat, you eat, he eats, we eat, you guys eat, and they eat.

Here is a sample list of common regular -ER verbs: comer (to eat), beber (to drink), comprender (to understand), correr (to run), depender (to depend), sorprender (to surprise), temer (to fear), toser (to cough), vender (to sell).

-IR Verb Conjugation

Regular -IR verbs (such as vivir) follow a very similar pattern to regular -AR and -ER verbs: You must first remove the ending (in this case, -IR) from the verb stem. In the case of the regular -IR verb vivir, the verb stem is viv. Then, simply add the ending that agrees with the subject of the sentence.

In the case of the verb vivir, the six present tense forms are: (yo) vivo, (tú) vives, (él) vive, (nosotros) vivimos, (vosotros) vivís, (ellos) viven. These forms are equivalent to the English forms I live, you live, he lives, we live, you guys live, and they live.

Here is a sample list of common regular -IR verbs: abrir (to open), describir (to describe), escribir (to write), interrumpir (to interrupt), ocurrir (to occur), recibir (to receive), subir (to go up), sufrir (to suffer), vivir (to live).

• Note that the -IR verb endings are nearly identical to -ER endings. The only differences are in the nosotros and vosotros forms (-emos/-imos and -éis/ís).