Irregular Verb Models

Definition

The most irregular verb in Spanish, with unique conjugations in most tenses.

Traits

• completely irregular
• essential verb
• high frequency

Verbs

ser -

Notes

Essential verb for describing identity, characteristics, origin, and time.

Definition

Irregular verb with unique forms in the present and preterite tenses.

Traits

• irregular present yo form
• irregular preterite root
• high frequency

Verbs

estar -

Notes

Used for location, states, and conditions. Irregular in present (yo estoy) and preterite (estuve, etc.).

Definition

Auxiliary verb used to form compound tenses and as an impersonal verb.

Traits

• auxiliary verb
• impersonal
• irregular forms

Verbs

haber -

Notes

Irregular in present (hay), preterite (hubo), and other forms. Used as an auxiliary and in impersonal expressions.

Definition

Verbs that add a "g" in the "yo" form and have e→ie stem change.

Traits

• yo-go
• e→ie

Verbs

tener - venir - mantener - contener -

Notes

This model is common for verbs ending in -ener/-enir.

Definition

Verbs that lack certain forms, especially in the present and subjunctive tenses.

Traits

• defective
• missing forms
• impersonal usage

Verbs

abolir - agredir - aguerrir - aterir - balbucir - blandir - colorir - despavorir - garantir - empedernir - manir - transgredir -

Notes

No 1st/2nd/3rd person singular or 3rd plural in present; no present subjunctive; only 2nd person plural in imperative.

Definition

Verbs ending in -uar (except -guar) with accentuation changes in the present.

Traits

• accentuation change
• present tense irregularity

Verbs

actuar - continuar - fluctuar - insinuar - situar - graduar - acentuar - evacuar - valuar - puntuar - perpetuar - actuar -

Notes

Accent on "u" in present forms except nosotros/vosotros. Applies to many -uar verbs except -guar.

Definition

Verbs with i→ie stem change in the present.

Traits

• i→ie stem change
• present tense irregularity

Verbs

adquirir - requirir - inquirir -

Notes

Irregular i→ie in present tense. Applies to adquirir and derivatives.

Definition

Verbs with orthographic and accentuation changes.

Traits

• orthographic change
• accentuation change

Verbs

ahincar - arrancar - buscar - chocar - explicar - practicar - sacar - tocar -

Notes

Orthographic change (c→qu before e) and accentuation in some forms.

Definition

Verbs with accentuation changes in the present.

Traits

• accentuation change
• present tense irregularity

Verbs

airar - ahijar - ahitar - desairar - descafeinar -

Notes

Accent on "i" in present forms except nosotros/vosotros. Applies to airar and similar verbs.

Definition

Verbs with root change and "uv" added in the preterite.

Traits

• root change
• preterite irregularity

Verbs

andar - desandar - reandar -

Notes

Root changes and "uv" added in preterite forms. Applies to andar and derivatives.

Definition

Verbs that add a "g" before "o" or "i" in the first person singular.

Traits

• yo-go
• orthographic change

Verbs

desasir - asir - desasirse -

Notes

This model includes verbs that add a "g" in the "yo" form when followed by "o" or "i".

Definition

Verbs with accentuation changes in the present tense, where "u" becomes "ú" in certain forms.

Traits

• accentuation change
• present tense irregularity

Verbs

adecuar - evacuar - licuar - apaciguar -

Notes

Regular first conjugation verb with accent on the root vowel. The "u" becomes "ú" in the 3rd person plural of present indicative and subjunctive.