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Grammar · Verbs

Learn verb patterns, not isolated answers.

Start with regular -AR, -ER and -IR patterns. Then move to irregular verbs and mixed challenges.

Practise conjugation Open verb library

How it works

One pattern at a time.

  1. 1

    Regular -AR

    Learn the endings and apply them to several verbs.

  2. 2

    Regular -ER

    Recognise the second regular pattern.

  3. 3

    Regular -IR

    Practise the third regular group.

  4. 4

    Mixed regular

    Identify the group without being told the answer pattern.

  5. 5

    Irregular verbs

    Learn essential exceptions in manageable groups.

  6. 6

    Mixed challenge

    Combine regular and irregular verbs in context.

Present · Regular verbs

Remove the infinitive ending. Add the new ending.

Begin with the present tense. The stem normally stays the same: remove -ar, -er or -ir, then choose the ending that matches the subject.

infinitive−-ar / -er / -ir+personal ending=conjugated verb
-AR

falar

to speak · stem: fal-

eu
falo
tu
falas
ele / ela / você
fala
nós
falamos
vocês / eles / elas
falam
-ER

comer

to eat · stem: com-

eu
como
tu
comes
ele / ela / você
come
nós
comemos
vocês / eles / elas
comem
-IR

abrir

to open · stem: abr-

eu
abro
tu
abres
ele / ela / você
abre
nós
abrimos
vocês / eles / elas
abrem

Essential irregulars

Learn the verbs you meet every day.

Irregular verbs do not follow one complete -AR, -ER or -IR pattern. Choose a tense to compare every person of six high-frequency verbs.

Indicativo · Presente

Compare the present forms.

These frequent verbs change their stem, their ending or both. Learn the complete form rather than trying to force it into a regular pattern.

ser

to be · identity
Sou português. · I am Portuguese.

estar

to be · state/location
Estou em casa. · I am at home.

ter

to have
Tenho tempo. · I have time.

ir

to go
Vou ao café. · I am going to the café.

fazer

to do / to make
Faço o jantar. · I make dinner.

poder

can / to be able to
Posso entrar? · May I come in?
Pattern note: The present forms are especially distinctive in eu: sou, estou, tenho, vou, faço and posso.