¡Hola de nuevo! In the previous chapter, you learned how to use the Preterite tense with regular -AR verbs. Now, we'll complete our understanding of regular preterite conjugations by learning the endings for regular -ER and -IR verbs. The good news is that they share the exact same set of endings! This will make it easier to expand your ability to talk about completed past actions.
By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:
Remember, the Preterite tense is used for actions that were completed in the past and have a definite beginning and end. We're building on what you learned with -AR verbs.
(Optional Review): Can you conjugate "hablar" in the Preterite? (hablé, hablaste, habló, hablamos, hablasteis, hablaron). Think of some common regular -ER verbs like comer (to eat) and beber (to drink), and -IR verbs like vivir (to live) and escribir (to write).
To conjugate regular -ER and -IR verbs in the Preterite, you remove the -er or -ir ending from the infinitive and add the following endings. Notice that these endings are identical for both -ER and -IR verbs!
| Pronoun | -ER/-IR Ending | Example: comer (to eat) [-ER] | Example: vivir (to live) [-IR] |
|---|---|---|---|
| yo | -í | comí | viví |
| tú | -iste | comiste | viviste |
| él/ella/usted | -ió | comió | vivió |
| nosotros/as | -imos | comimos | vivimos |
| vosotros/as | -isteis | comisteis | vivisteis |
| ellos/ellas/ustedes | -ieron | comieron | vivieron |
Helpful Tip: Notice the accent marks on the -í (yo form) and -ió (él/ella/usted form). These are crucial for pronunciation and distinguishing from other tenses.
Important Note (Nosotros/as -IR Verbs): The "nosotros/as" form (-imos) for -IR verbs in the Preterite is identical to the "nosotros/as" form in the Present tense! Context will make the meaning clear. For -ER verbs, the present tense is -emos, so it's distinct.
Beber (to drink -ER):
Escribir (to write -IR):
Aprender (to learn -ER):
Abrir (to open -IR):
Master preterite -ER and -IR verb conjugations.
Import Chapter 27 Flashcards(Requires login to import/study)
Instructions: Circle the preterite ending in each conjugated verb.
(Answers are bolded above for self-check.)
Instructions: Match the pronoun with the correct preterite form of "aprender" (to learn).
yo ( ) aprendisteis
tú ( ) aprendieron
ella ( ) aprendí
nosotros ( ) aprendiste
vosotros ( ) aprendió
ustedes ( ) aprendimosAnswer Key:
yo → aprendí
tú → aprendiste
ella → aprendió
nosotros → aprendimos
vosotros → aprendisteis
ustedes → aprendieronInstructions: Write the correct preterite form of the verb in parentheses.
Answer Key:
Instructions: Write three original sentences in Spanish using different regular -ER or -IR verbs in the preterite tense and a time expression (e.g., ayer, el año pasado).
(Answers will vary. Example: El mes pasado yo leí un libro interesante.)
Instructions: In pairs, take turns describing one or two things you did last weekend, using regular -ER and -IR verbs in the preterite (along with -AR verbs you already know).
Example:
Student A: El sábado, yo comí en un restaurante nuevo.
Student B: ¡Qué bien! Yo escribí un correo electrónico a mi amigo. In Spanish-speaking cultures, sharing personal anecdotes and recounting past events is a very common and cherished form of social interaction. Whether it's catching up with family, sharing news with friends, or simply making conversation with a new acquaintance, the ability to narrate what happened – what you did, what you ate, where you went, what you learned – is fundamental.
This is where the Preterite tense truly shines. It allows you to tell a story with a clear sequence of completed actions. Think about how often you tell someone about your day, your weekend, or a recent trip. These are all situations where the Preterite is indispensable.
Furthermore, in many Spanish-speaking communities, there's a cultural phenomenon often playfully referred to as "chismear" (to gossip), which isn't always negative. It can simply mean sharing news or stories about what others (or you!) *did* – who visited whom, what happened at the market, or what someone learned in school. Mastering the preterite allows you to fully participate in these lively exchanges and understand the narratives being shared around you.
By confidently using verbs like comí (I ate), vivimos (we lived), escribiste (you wrote), and aprendieron (they learned), you're not just conjugating verbs; you're unlocking the ability to participate in the rich tradition of storytelling and social connection that is so central to Hispanic cultures.
Just like with -AR verbs, the accent marks on the yo form (-í) and the él/ella/usted form (-ió) for -ER and -IR verbs in the Preterite are vital for correct pronunciation and distinguishing them from present tense forms.
Compare:
Key takeaway: Pay close attention to and always include the accent marks on -í and -ió.
A tricky point for regular -IR verbs is that the nosotros/as form in the Preterite tense is identical to the nosotros/as form in the Present tense. Both end in -imos.
Example with "vivir" (to live):
How do you know which tense it is? Context! Time expressions like "ayer," "la semana pasada," "el año pasado," or the overall narrative will tell you if the action is present or past.
For regular -ER verbs, this confusion doesn't happen because the present nosotros ending is -emos (e.g., comemos) and the preterite is -imos (e.g., comimos).
Key takeaway: For -IR verbs, rely on context to distinguish the nosotros form between present and preterite.
Let's see what Ana and her friends did.
Ayer por la tarde, Ana y sus amigos decidieron hacer muchas cosas.
Primero, Ana escribió una carta a su abuela. Después, Luis corrió en el parque porque le gusta mucho hacer ejercicio. Sofía aprendió una nueva canción en la guitarra.
Más tarde, todos juntos comieron helado. Ellos bebieron refrescos también. ¡Qué bien lo pasaron!
Por la noche, Ana abrió su libro favorito y leyó por una hora antes de dormir.
Yesterday afternoon, Ana and her friends decided to do many things.
First, Ana wrote a letter to her grandmother. Afterwards, Luis ran in the park because he really likes to exercise. Sofía learned a new song on the guitar.
Later, they all ate ice cream together. They drank sodas too. They had a great time!
At night, Ana opened her favorite book and read for an hour before sleeping.
comer (to eat), beber (to drink), escribir (to write), vivir (to live), aprender (to learn), abrir (to open), correr (to run), leer (to read), decidir (to decide).
Preterite tense endings for regular -ER and -IR verbs (-í, -iste, -ió, -imos, -isteis, -ieron). Usage of Preterite for completed past actions.
¡Excelente! You now know how to form the Preterite tense for all regular -AR, -ER, and -IR verbs. In the next chapter, we'll tackle some of the most common irregular verbs in the Preterite tense. These don't follow the patterns we've learned, but they are essential for everyday conversation about the past.