Irregular verb conjugations.

Irregular verb conjugations can make proper grammar difficult for non-native speakers.  With a little practice and some memorization, however, you can master these eccentric verbs.

First, look for patterns in irregular conjugations.  This will help you to cement these verbs into your brain so that when you need it, the correct verb form will be on the tip of your tongue.  Let's use the popular verb ir as an example.



IR (to go) PRESENT TENSE


voy (I go)

vamos (we go)

vas (you go)

vais (you all go)

va (he goes)

van (they go)

 

IR (to go) PAST TENSE


fui (I went)

fuimos (we went)

fuiste (you went)

fuisteis (you all went)

fue (she went)

fueron (they went)


What is the first thing you notice about each conjugation?  In the present tense, every form of ir begins with "v".  In fact, all forms begin with "va-" except the 1st person.  In the 1st person singular, the word for "I" in Spanish (yo) is right there in the word – just backwards! 


In the past tense, all forms of ir begin with fui- or fue-.  For the 1st person plural we, just add -mosto the 1st person singular.  For the 2nd person plural you all, just add -is to the 2nd person singular form.  For the 3rd person plural they, just add -ron to the 3rd person singular.


A helpful resource to have on-hand is 501 Spanish Verbs by Christopher Kendris.  Hundreds of frequently used verbs are fully conjugated, including a section called "Words and expressions using this verb" as well.


Two great online resources are http://www.conjugation.org/ and http://www.verbix.com/languages/spanish.shtml.  On these websites, you simply type in the infinitive form of the verb, and the fully conjugated verb is displayed in all persons and tenses.