Regular Present Tense Verbs
El presente de indicativo - verbos regulares
Spanish regular verbs in the present tense follow predictable patterns based on their infinitive endings: -ar, -er, or -ir. Each group has its own set of conjugation endings.
When to Use Present Tense
The present tense has multiple uses in Spanish.
Example: hablar (to speak) → yo hablo, tú hablas, él habla
Why Present Tense Matters
The present tense is used for current actions, habitual actions, and general truths.
| Verb Type | Infinitive | Example |
|---|---|---|
| -ar verbs | hablar | Yo hablo español |
| -er verbs | comer | Tú comes pizza |
| -ir verbs | vivir | Él vive en Madrid |
| All types | various | Nosotros estudiamos |
-AR Verbs
The most common verb group. Remove -ar and add the appropriate ending.
| Subject | Ending | Example (hablar) |
|---|---|---|
| yo | -o | hablo |
| tú | -as | hablas |
| él/ella/usted | -a | habla |
| nosotros/as | -amos | hablamos |
| vosotros/as | -áis | habláis |
| ellos/ellas/ustedes | -an | hablan |
- Drop the -ar from the infinitive
- Add the conjugation ending for each subject
- All regular -ar verbs follow this pattern
-ER Verbs
Remove -er and add the appropriate ending.
| Subject | Ending | Example (comer) |
|---|---|---|
| yo | -o | como |
| tú | -es | comes |
| él/ella/usted | -e | come |
| nosotros/as | -emos | comemos |
| vosotros/as | -éis | coméis |
| ellos/ellas/ustedes | -en | comen |
- Drop the -er from the infinitive
- Add the conjugation ending for each subject
- Endings are similar to -ir verbs except nosotros and vosotros
-IR Verbs
Remove -ir and add the appropriate ending.
| Subject | Ending | Example (vivir) |
|---|---|---|
| yo | -o | vivo |
| tú | -es | vives |
| él/ella/usted | -e | vive |
| nosotros/as | -imos | vivimos |
| vosotros/as | -ís | vivís |
| ellos/ellas/ustedes | -en | viven |
- Drop the -ir from the infinitive
- Add the conjugation ending for each subject
- Endings are identical to -er verbs except nosotros and vosotros
Estudio ahora.I am studying now.type: Current action
Trabajo todos los días.I work every day.type: Habitual action
El agua hierve a 100 grados.Water boils at 100 degrees.type: General truth
Mañana viajo a Madrid.Tomorrow I'm traveling to Madrid.type: Near future
Common Learner Questions
Helpful questions when conjugating regular verbs:
- What is the infinitive ending (-ar, -er, or -ir)?
- What is the subject pronoun?
- What is the stem after removing the infinitive ending?
- What ending matches the subject and verb type?
Common Regular Verbs
Frequently used regular verbs in each category.
| Type | Infinitive | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| -ar | hablar | to speak |
| -ar | trabajar | to work |
| -ar | estudiar | to study |
| -ar | bailar | to dance |
| -er | comer | to eat |
| -er | beber | to drink |
| -er | leer | to read |
| -er | aprender | to learn |
| -ir | vivir | to live |
| -ir | escribir | to write |
| -ir | abrir | to open |
| -ir | recibir | to receive |
Side-by-Side Comparison
Comparing the three verb types shows the patterns.
| Subject | -AR (hablar) | -ER (comer) | -IR (vivir) |
|---|---|---|---|
| yo | hablo | como | vivo |
| tú | hablas | comes | vives |
| él/ella/usted | habla | come | vive |
| nosotros/as | hablamos | comemos | vivimos |
| vosotros/as | habláis | coméis | vivís |
| ellos/ellas/ustedes | hablan | comen | viven |
Example Sentences
Yo hablo español todos los días.I speak Spanish every day.
Tú comes en la cafetería.You eat in the cafeteria.
Ella vive en Barcelona.She lives in Barcelona.
Nosotros estudiamos juntos.We study together.
Ellos trabajan en una oficina.They work in an office.