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Spanish (Spain) • Level 1 • GRAMMAR

irregular present

💡 Grammar Rule

Verbs with Irregular First-Person ("Yo") Forms

In Spanish, many verbs in the present tense are irregular. This means they do not follow the standard patterns of -ar, -er, or -ir verbs because their stem or endings change. However, there is a very helpful group of verbs that are irregular only in the first-person singular (yo) form.

For these verbs, the yo form is unique, but the rest of the conjugations (tú, él/ella/usted, nosotros/as, vosotros/as, ellos/ellas/ustedes) are completely regular.

1. Verbs ending in "-go"

A common pattern involves adding a -g- before the ending in the yo form. The rest of the verb is conjugated normally.

  • hacer (to do/make) → hago (I do/make)
  • poner (to put) → pongo (I put)
  • salir (to go out/leave) → salgo (I go out)
  • valer (to be worth) → valgo (I am worth)
  • caer (to fall) → caigo (I fall)
  • traer (to bring) → traigo (I bring)

2. Other Unique "Yo" Forms

Some verbs have a yo form that is irregular but does not strictly follow the "-go" pattern. These must be memorized individually.

  • dar (to give) → doy (I give)
  • estar (to be) → estoy (I am)
  • saber (to know info/facts) → sé (I know)
  • ver (to see) → veo (I see)
  • caber (to fit) → quepo (I fit)

3. Compound Verbs

A "compound verb" is a verb formed by adding a prefix (like des-, com-, pro-, re-) to a base verb. These compounds maintain the same irregularity as the root verb.

This is very useful for prediction. If you know how to conjugate poner, you automatically know how to conjugate componer (to compose), proponer (to propose), or suponer (to suppose).

  • poner → pongo
    • componer (to compose) → compongo
    • disponer (to provide/arrange) → dispongo
    • proponer (to propose) → propongo
    • suponer (to suppose) → supongo
  • hacer → hago
    • rehacer (to redo) → rehago
    • deshacer (to undo) → deshago
What are you doing now?
¿Qué haces ahora?
I’m doing my homework.
Hago los deberes.
Where do you put the keys?
¿Dónde pones las llaves?
I put them on the table.
Las pongo en la mesa.
Do you go out heavily on Fridays?
¿Sales mucho los viernes?
Yes, I go out with my friends.
Sí, salgo con mis amigos.
We need something for dinner.
Necesitamos algo para la cena.
I’ll bring a salad.
Yo traigo una ensalada.
Do you know the answer?
¿Sabes la respuesta?
No, I don’t know anything.
No, no sé nada.
Do you see that car over there?
¿Ves aquel coche de allí?
No, I don’t see it well.
No, no lo veo bien.
It’s Maria’s birthday.
Es el cumpleaños de María.
I’ll give her a book.
Le doy un libro.
Where are you right now?
¿Dónde estás ahora mismo?
I am at the office.
Estoy en la oficina.
Be careful on that street.
Ten cuidado en esa calle.
Don’t worry, I never fall.
Tranquilo, nunca me caigo.
There is no space in the car.
No hay sitio en el coche.
Then I don’t fit in the back.
Entonces no quepo detrás.
Are you good at cooking?
¿Sirves para cocinar?
No, I’m not good for the kitchen.
No, no valgo para la cocina.
Is it going to rain today?
¿Va a llover hoy?
I suppose so.
Supongo que sí.
This report is incorrect.
Este informe es incorrecto.
Okay, I’ll redo it.
Vale, lo rehago.
What do you suggest for the weekend?
¿Qué propones para el fin de semana?
I propose a trip to the beach.
Propongo un viaje a la playa.
Do you write music?
¿Escribes música?
Yes, I compose songs.
Sí, compongo canciones.
Can you set the table?
¿Puedes poner la mesa?
Yes, I’ll set the plates now.
Sí, pongo los platos ahora.
Do you always tell the truth?
¿Dices siempre la verdad?
I always say what I think.
Siempre digo lo que pienso.
When do you leave work?
¿Cuándo sales del trabajo?
I leave at six o’clock.
Salgo a las seis en punto.
Do you have time to help me?
¿Tienes tiempo para ayudarme?
Sorry, I don’t have much time.
Lo siento, no dispongo de mucho tiempo.
Are you making lunch?
¿Haces la comida?
No, I’m making a coffee.
No, hago un café.
You know a lot about history.
Sabes mucho de historia.
I know the basics.
Sé lo básico.
Do you see any problems here?
¿Ves algún problema aquí?
I see many errors.
Veo muchos errores.
Are you bringing money?
¿Traes dinero?
Yes, I’m bringing twenty euros.
Sí, traigo veinte euros.
Are you going to the party?
¿Vas a la fiesta?
I suppose I’m going later.
Supongo que voy más tarde.

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