Spanish -ER Verbs (present tense)

Overview

In our previous unit we learned all about regular -AR verbs(-AR Verbs Module) how to conjugate them. Spanish –er verbs are an essential part of learning Spanish. -Er verbs share the same construction, so you can easily link them in your mind. Learning these words together will make all of the words easier to remember.

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From our last lesson, we remember that there are three steps to conjugating verbs. They are: 

STEPS TO CONJUGATING REGULAR PRESENT TENSE VERBS IN SPANISH

  1. Chop off your -AR, -ER or -IR ending (viajar, beber, abrir) so that you are left with just the stem.
  2. Determine the subject of the sentence (yo, tú, él, etc.).
  3. Add your new ending based on the subject of the sentence. (yo viajo, tú bebes, nosotros abrimos)

Now for step 3, here are the new endings you will add to -ER verbs only (we will talk about -IR verbs in our next lesson!). 

-O-EMOS
-ES-ÉIS
-E-EN

Are you noticing a pattern? All of the A’s from our -AR endings have now changed to E’s! So, once you memorize the -AR verb endings, these will be a breeze if you simply remember to change you’re A’s to E’s!

Here is the verb RESPONDER (to respond) conjugated in each form. The new endings have been highlighted for you.

Yo respondoNosotros(as) respondemos
Tú respondesVosotros(as) respondéis
Él/Ella/Usted respondeEllos/Ellas/Ustedes responden

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stephen

Zocalo Square and Mexico City Cathedral - Mexico City, Mexico

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Common European Framework of Reference for Languages

The CEFR is an international standard used to describe language ability. Here are specific details of the CEFR for this topic.

General Explanation:
Can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type. Can introduce him/herself and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details such as where he/she lives, people he/she knows and things he/she has. Can interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.
Specific Capabilities at this Level
Writing:
I can write a short, simple postcard, for example sending holiday greetings. I can fill in forms with personal details, for example entering my name, nationality and address on a hotel registration form.
Spoken Production:
I can use simple phrases and sentences to describe where I live and people I know.
Spoken Interaction:
I can interact in a simple way provided the other person is prepared to repeat or rephrase things at a slower rate of speech and help me formulate what I’m trying to say. I can ask and answer simple questions in areas of immediate need or on very familiar topics.
Reading:
I can understand familiar names, words and very simple sentences, for example on notices and posters or in catalogues.
Listening:
I can recognize familiar words and very basic phrases concerning myself, my family and immediate concrete surroundings when people speak slowly and clearly.