Before exploring irregular verb groups in Spanish, let’s look at some peculiarities and verbs that do not follow the usual pattern.

It is important to note that while some verbs are irregular in the present tense, they might be regular in the past tense, and vice versa. Although this might seem confusing, remembering these exceptions is key.

Let’s begin with two of the most important verbs in Spanish: “ser” and “estar” (to be) that happen to be irregular.

Interestingly, “ser” (to be) and “ir” (to go) have identical conjugations in the past tense. However, do not worry about getting confused. The context often provides clarity. 

Ser  / Ir

The meaning is clarified within the context, and prepositions such as “en” (in, on, at) for indicating location and “a” (to) for indicating direction help in expressing specific meanings, as in the following examples:

Now take a look at the verb “irse” (to leave, to go). As you can see, it is like the reflexive version of “ir”.

Exercises / Ejercicios

“Dar” (to give)

A slightly different situation occurs with the verb “dar” (to give), as it is irregular and does not belong to any specific group or share patterns with other irregular verbs. Interestingly, it is conjugated like the verb “ver” (to see) in the past tense:

Always remember: learning verbs by group makes the process easier. 

Reflexive verbs 

Reflexive verbs follow the same structure. We categorize them based on whether they end in -ar, -er, or -ir. Again, verbs such as “despertarse” (to wake up), which are irregular in the present tense, become regular in the past tense.

“Acostarse” (to go to bed, to lay down) and “moverse” (to move)

are other reflexive verbs that are irregular in the present tense but regular in the past tense.

“Gustar” (to like)

As you might recall, the way we use “gustar” (to like) in Spanish is simply different. In Spanish, we do not “like” things. Rather, a thing “is liked” or things “are liked” by us. It is important to understand that this usage of the verb remains the same in the past tense. The verb only has singular (“gustó”) and plural (“gustaron”) forms for all subjects.

Irregular Third-Person Group

In this group of irregular verbs, only the third person, both singular and plural (él / ella / usted – ellos / ellas), shows irregular conjugations. Additionally,“ustedes” (you plural) is affected by this, as it always shares the same conjugation with “ellos / ellas” (they). There are three subcategories within this group.

“ir” verbs where an “e” is followed by a consonant. In these verbs, the “e” changes to an “i”, as seen in the verb “pedir” (to ask for).

Other verbs in this group: corregir (to correct), despedirse (to say goodbye), divertirse (to have fun), mentir (to lie), preferir (to prefer), reírse (to laugh), repetir (to repeat), seguir (to follow), sentir (to feel), sentirse (to feel), servir (to serve), sonreír (to smile), sugerir (to suggest), vestirse (to get dressed).

“ir” verbs where an “o” is followed by a consonant. In these verbs, the “o” changes to a “u”, as seen in the verb “dormir” (to sleep).

Other verbs in this group: morir (to die).

“er” and “ir” verbs where an “i” will turn into a “y”, as seen in the verb “leer” (to read).
*These verbs are not strictly irregular (as explained below)

Other verbs in this group: caer (to fall), caerse (to fall), concluir (to conclude), construir (to build), contribuir (to contribute), creer (to believe), destruir (to destroy), distribuir (to distribute), huir (to run away), incluir (to include), influir (to influence), oír (to hear).

Exercises / Ejercicios

Now, we have a list of verbs that are highly irregular but are very common. Once again, the most effective approach is to memorize them and learn them by heart.

Note: ”decir” and “traer” (verbs with a “j” in their stem) change their ending from -eron to -ieron in the second and third-person plural in the past tense.

decir: yo dije, tú dijiste, él / ella / usted dijo, nosotros / nosotras dijimos, ustedes dijeron, ellos / ellas dijeron

traer: yo traje, tú trajiste, él / ella / usted trajo, nosotros / nosotras trajimos, ustedes trajeron, ellos / ellas trajeron

Exercises / Ejercicios

Lastly, verbs that end in “-ducir” change to “uj”:

Spelling Changes in Irregular Verbs

In addition to irregular verbs, some verbs undergo spelling changes. It is very important to note that these are not irregular. Rather, they require modifications to maintain the correct pronunciation. Only the first-person singular “yo” (I) form is affected in “-ar” verbs:

• Verbs ending in “-car” change the “c” to “qu”
• Verbs ending in “-gar” change the “g” to “gu”
• Verbs ending in “-zar” change the “z” to “c”

Verbs ending in “car” 

buscar (to search), explicar (to explain), justificar (to justify), publicar (to publish), sacar (to take out), tocar (to touch).

Verbs ending in “gar” 

apagar (to turn off), cargar (to carry), entregar (to deliver), llegar (to arrive), pagar (to pay), pegar (to paste).

Verbs ending in “zar” 

almorzar (to have lunch), comenzar (to start), empezar (to start), lanzar (to throw), realizar (to make), rezar (to pray).

“i” → “y”

For “-er” and “-ir” verbs that have a vowel before the ending “-er” or “-ir”, the “i” changes to a “y” in the third-person singular and plural to avoid having three vowels together.

*See above for this group. 

In this lesson, we looked into irregular verbs in the past tense in Spanish. We explored the conjugation patterns of irregular verbs, providing examples and explanations to help with comprehension. We also looked at specific verbs, such as “gustar” (to like) and reflexive verbs. To further enhance your understanding of Spanish grammar and the past tense, consider exploring lessons such as “The Past Tense in Spanish (Regular Verbs)” and “The Imperfect in Spanish”.