Conjugating Irregular Verbs

Spanish has irregular verbs; English does, too. An irregular verb is one that you can't figure out the forms for by starting with the infinitive and following the rules of conjugation. Because of one of the quirks linguistic change, some of the most frequently used verbs are irregular. To be, to have, and to go are irregular in most languages, and they are in Spanish, too.

Memorization helps, but the best way to become familiar with these verbs is to use them over and over again. At your right are some high-frequency irregular verbs. You will notice that most of the verbs maintain pretty recognizable endings. You will also find some patterns if you look for them, particularly among the verbs with irregular yo forms. There is a group of them that contains the letter g; there is a group with the letters zc there is another group that ends in y.

As you move on to the practice exercises, remember that you should include say the forms out loud. It is an important help in learning verb conjugations. You already talk to yourself in English, right? Now you can talk to yourself in Spanish, too.