Formation
There are 3 sets of conjugations for regular verbs in the present tense.
This tense is formed by adding the endings to the stem of the verb.
Here are the endings for regular verbs that end in -ar.
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| first person | o | amos |
| second person | as | áis |
| third person | a | an |
yo hablo
tú hablas
él/ella/usted habla
nosotros hablamos
vosotros habláis
ellos/ellas/ustedes hablan
Here are the endings for regular verbs that end in -er.
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| first person | o | emos |
| second person | es | éis |
| third person | e | en |
yo bebo
tú bebes
él/ella/usted bebe
nosotros bebemos
vosotros bebéis
ellos/ellas/ustedes beben
Here are the endings for regular verbs that end in -ir.
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| first person | o | imos |
| second person | es | ís |
| third person | e | en |
yo escribo
tú escribes
él/ella/usted escribe
nosotros escribimos
vosotros escribís
ellos/ellas/ustedes escriben
Usage
In general, the present tense in Spanish will correspond with these English equivalents:
yo hablo = I speak, I do speak, I am speaking, I am speaking (near future)
yo trabajo = I work, I do work, I am working, I am working (near future)
When to use the Present Tense:
- For actions happening right now
Use the present tense to describe actions that are happening in the present moment. - Habitual actions
Jennifer canta en el coro. Jennifer sings in the chorus. - Eternal truths
- For an action happening in the near future
Salgo esta noche. I am leaving tonight.