-o / -as / -a
yo · tú · él/ella/usted
Spanish 101 · Grammar
-ar verbs in the present tense
Once you know the endings, thousands of verbs become predictable — until you meet stem-changers and spelling fixes.
The rule
Drop the -ar infinitive ending and add -o, -as, -a, -amos, -áis, -an: hablo, hablas, habla, hablamos, habláis, hablan.
Verbs like buscar, sacar, tocar, practicar need a spelling change before e or i (practiqué in preterite) — in present only practico changes the c to qu before o/a? Actually practico is fine; the issue is yo forms in preterite. For present, focus on endings.
If the subject is clear from the ending, pronouns are optional: Estudiamos tarde = We study late.
The -ar present endings are the template for comparing -er/-ir patterns: different vowel in the endings, same persons.
¿Practicas el piano todos los días?Do you practice the piano every day?
Mis vecinos bailan salsa los domingos.My neighbors dance salsa on Sundays.
Examples in context
Nosotros estudiamos en la biblioteca los domingos.We study in the library on Sundays.-ar: habit
¿Tú practicas el español todos los días?Do you practice Spanish every day?-ar: tú
La profesora explica la gramática con claridad.The professor explains the grammar clearly.-ar: él/ella
Ellos caminan al campus cuando hace buen tiempo.They walk to campus when the weather is nice.-ar: ellos
Yo busco un apartamento cerca de la universidad.I am looking for an apartment near the university.-ar: yo
¿Ustedes necesitan más tiempo para el examen?Do you need more time for the exam?-ar: ustedes
Mi hermano trabaja en un restaurante por las noches.My brother works at a restaurant at night.-ar: third person
No escucho música cuando leo para clase.I do not listen to music when I read for class.negation + present
Quick reference
-amos / -áis / -an
nosotros · vosotros · ellos/ellas/ustedes
Regular rule
Stem (remove -ar) + ending.
Common mistakes
Wrong agreement
❌ Wrong: La problema es fácil.
✅ Correct: El problema es fácil.
Problema is masculine despite ending in -a.
Double subjects
❌ Wrong: Yo soy yo estudiante.
✅ Correct: Soy estudiante.
Drop redundant subject pronouns when the verb ending is clear.
Negation placement
❌ Wrong: Entiendo no.
✅ Correct: No entiendo.
Place no immediately before the conjugated verb.
Literal word order
❌ Wrong: ¿Qué hora es qué?
✅ Correct: ¿Qué hora es?
Keep standard question frames; do not copy English order.
Practice questions
Test what you just learned. Select an answer to see instant feedback.
Nosotros _____ español en la universidad.
¿Tú _____ la tarea por la noche?
Ella no _____ en clase hoy.
¿Ustedes _____ en el parque los domingos?
Yo _____ mucho en la cafetería.
You got 0/5 correct.
Want more practice on -ar verbs in the present tense?
Chapurra has 50 questions like these, organized by chapter. Capítulo Preliminar is free.
Start practicing free →FAQ
How do I know if a verb is stem-changing?
Your vocabulary list or textbook marks e→ie, o→ue, e→i, etc. Changes usually appear in the boot shape of present indicative (not nosotros/nosotras in many -ar/-er verbs). There is no single rule from the infinitive alone—you learn per verb or family.
Why is the yo form sometimes irregular while tú looks regular?
Verbs like hacer (hago) or salir (salgo) add supporting letters or change stems only for yo in the present. The rest of the singular/plural pattern may follow the regular endings. Drill yo alongside ellos because those forms are the most exam-visible.
What is ir a + infinitive?
It is a common periphrasis for near future: Voy a estudiar = I am going to study. Conjugate ir, keep a, and add the unchanged infinitive. It is not the same as the simple future tense learned later.
When can I use the present progressive?
Estar + gerund stresses that an action is in progress right now: Estoy leyendo. Spanish does not use it for stative verbs the way English might (*Estoy queriendo is odd). Follow your book’s list of verbs that prefer simple present.
How do reflexive pronouns line up?
They match the subject: me, te, se, nos, os, se. They usually come before a conjugated verb or attach to an infinitive/command: Me lavo las manos; Voy a lavarme. Placement rules parallel other object pronouns.