Overview
This lesson explains how to conjugate present tense ER and IR verbs in Spanish, highlighting the steps and differences from AR verbs.
Types of Spanish Verbs
- Spanish verbs fall into three groups: AR, ER, and IR verbs, based on their endings.
- The verb's ending determines which set of conjugation endings to use.
Steps to Conjugate ER and IR Verbs
- Step 1: Create a "verb house" (a chart) for organizing conjugations.
- Step 2: Add subject pronouns (yo, tú, él/ella/Ud., nosotros, vosotros, ellos/ellas/Uds.) to each section.
- Step 3: Remove (chop off) the ER or IR ending from the infinitive verb.
- Step 4: Write the verb stem (base word) in each section of the verb house.
- Step 5: Attach the correct ER or IR endings to each base word based on the subject pronoun.
Present Tense Endings for ER and IR Verbs
- ER verb endings: -o, -es, -e, -emos, -éis, -en
- IR verb endings: -o, -es, -e, -imos, -ís, -en
- The only difference between ER and IR endings is in the "nosotros" and "vosotros" forms.
Practice Examples
- Comer ("to eat") is an ER verb; use ER endings.
- Vivir ("to live") is an IR verb; use IR endings.
- Always confirm the verb type before conjugating.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Infinitive — the base form of a verb (e.g., comer, vivir) before conjugation.
- Conjugate — to change a verb form to match the subject and tense.
- Verb Ending — the last two letters of a verb indicating its type (-ar, -er, -ir).
- Verb Stem/Base Word — the part of the verb left after removing the ending.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Conjugate the given ER and IR verbs on your guided notes sheet.
- Review which endings correspond to each verb type before conjugating.
- Rewatch the lesson video and prepare any questions for class.