-AR Verbs In Spanish, there are three classes (or conjugations) of verbs: those that end in –AR, those that end in –ER, and those that end in –IR. This is important because the conjugation determines the endings you put on the verbs.
-AR Verbs Let’s look at an example, the verb DESCANSAR, which means “to rest.” It ends in –AR, so it is included in this class.
DESCANSAR The verb can be split into two parts: The base: DESCANS- The infinitive ending: -AR
DESCANSAR Now let’s say “I rest.” Start with the base: DESCANS- When you talk about yourself, add –O.
DESCANSAR yo descanso
DESCANSAR Now let’s talk about you. When the subject is tú, you add –AS (remember that it’s an –AR verb).
DESCANSAR tú descansas
DESCANSAR When we talk about él, ella, or usted, we just add an –A.
DESCANSAR él descansa ella descansa Ud. descansa
DESCANSAR When the subject is “we,” add –AMOS to the base. When the subject is “you (all)”, add – ÁIS
DESCANSAR Nosotros descansamos Vosotros/as descansáis
DESCANSAR When the subject is ellos, ellas, or ustedes (more than one person, but the speaker is not part of the group), add –AN to the base.
DESCANSAR ellos descansan ellas descansan Uds. descansan
So what now? Any time you encounter a regular -AR verb, the endings to attach to the base will be the same! yo -o tú -as él -a ella -a usted -a nosotros –amos vosotros/as -áis ellos -an ustedes -an
Let’s Practice! > HABLAR yo _______ tú _______ él ________ nosotros ________ vosotros/as_______ ellos _______
HABLAR yo hablo tú hablas él habla nosotros hablamos vosotros/as habláis ellos hablan
COMPRAR yo _______ tú _______ ella ________ nosotros ________ vosotros/as_______ ellas _______
COMPRAR yo compro tú compras ella compra nosotros compramos vosotros/as compráis ellas compran
ESTUDIAR yo _______ tú _______ ella ________ tú y yo ________ vosotros/as______ Uds. _______
ESTUDIAR yo estudio tú estudias ella estudia tú y yo estudiamos vosotros/as estudiáis Uds. estudian Reminder: did you remember to keep the –i as part of the base?
More –AR Verbs Here are some more verbs that work in exactly the same way: caminar escuchar esquiar llegar mirar montar nadar regresar sacar tomar trabajar
What’s Next? You’re now ready to take on the two remaining verb classes, the –ER and –IR conjugations. Don’t worry! They’re easy!!
sh/ppt1.html