The structure of Spanish verbs can be one of the most challenging aspects of learning the Spanish language, especially for native speakers of English. Not only are there more verb tenses to deal with but the way Spanish verbs are formed (conjugated) is usually more complex.

Although the formation of Spanish verbs may be considered complex many Spanish verbs are formed in exactly the same way. Spanish verbs are either regular or irregular and they all, without exception either end in AR, ER or IR. The formations of all Spanish verbs are dependant on these two things.

So, for example every single Spanish verb that ends in AR and which is regular will be formed in exactly the same way in all verb tenses. There are literally thousands of these types of verbs. If we know how to form verb tenses for just one of these verbs we can apply the same formation pattern to all the others.

This is how verb tables help. We use verb tables to tell us what the common verb formation patterns are for a group of verbs that are all formed in the same way.

Forming Spanish verb tenses in 3 easy steps

How Verb Tables Help

The endings of all regular verbs are formed in the same way. The AR, ER or IR ending of the verb is removed and replaced with a new ending.

If a Spanish verb is considered irregular then both the ending and the stem of the verb may change. The Spanishexperto irregular verb groups are numbered from 4-70. Each verb that makes up a group of irregular verbs is formed in the same way. Care must be taken to change the stem of the verb accordingly as well as changing the ending of the verb.

There are some verbs that are considered highly irregular and which are formed in a unique way and these verbs have to be learnt separately. The Spanish verbs meaning ‘to be’ (ser and estar) are good examples of highly irregular verbs.

Forming regular and irregular verbs