Mastering Spanish -er Verbs: A Comprehensive Guide

Understanding Spanish verbs ending in ‘-er’ is crucial for anyone learning the language. These verbs, forming one of the three main verb conjugations, are essential for expressing actions, states, and occurrences in Spanish. This guide provides a detailed exploration of ‘-er’ verbs, covering their definition, conjugation patterns, usage rules, and common mistakes. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced learner, this article will equip you with the knowledge and skills to confidently use ‘-er’ verbs in your Spanish communication.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Definition of -er Verbs
• Structural Breakdown of -er Verb Conjugations
• -er Verb Categories
• Examples of Common -er Verbs
• Usage Rules for -er Verbs
• Common Mistakes with -er Verbs
• Practice Exercises
• Advanced Topics: Irregular -er Verbs
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
• Conclusion

Definition of -er Verbs

In Spanish, verbs are classified into three conjugations based on their infinitive endings: -ar, -er, and -ir. Verbs ending in -er belong to the second conjugation. These verbs express actions, states, or processes, and their endings change to indicate tense (present, past, future), mood (indicative, subjunctive, imperative), and person (yo, tú, él/ella/usted, nosotros, vosotros, ellos/ellas/ustedes). Understanding the conjugation patterns of -er verbs is fundamental to constructing grammatically correct sentences in Spanish.

The infinitive form of a verb (e.g., comer, beber, aprender) is its base form. To conjugate an -er verb, you remove the -er ending and add the appropriate ending that corresponds to the tense, mood, and subject pronoun. For example, to conjugate comer (to eat) in the present tense, you would remove the -er to get the stem com-, and then add the present tense endings: yo como, tú comes, él/ella/usted come, nosotros comemos, vosotros coméis, ellos/ellas/ustedes comen.

Structural Breakdown of -er Verb Conjugations

The structure of conjugating -er verbs involves identifying the verb stem and adding the appropriate endings. The verb stem is the part of the verb that remains after removing the -er ending from the infinitive. The endings vary depending on the tense and the subject pronoun. Let’s examine the present tense conjugation as a basic example:

Present Tense Endings for -er Verbs:

• Yo: -o
• Tú: -es
• Él/Ella/Usted: -e
• Nosotros: -emos
• Vosotros: -éis
• Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes: -en

For example, let’s conjugate the verb beber (to drink) in the present tense:

• Yo bebo (I drink)
• Tú bebes (You drink)
• Él/Ella/Usted bebe (He/She/You drink)
• Nosotros bebemos (We drink)
• Vosotros bebéis (You all drink)
• Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes beben (They/You all drink)

This pattern applies to regular -er verbs in the present tense. Other tenses, such as the preterite (past), imperfect (past), future, and conditional, have different sets of endings.

-er Verb Categories

Within the realm of -er verbs, there are two primary categories: regular and irregular verbs. Regular verbs follow predictable conjugation patterns, making them easier to learn and use. Irregular verbs, on the other hand, deviate from these standard patterns in one or more tenses, requiring individual memorization. Understanding these categories is essential for mastering Spanish verb conjugation.

Regular -er Verbs

Regular -er verbs adhere strictly to the standard conjugation patterns. Once you learn the endings for each tense, you can confidently conjugate any regular -er verb. Examples of regular -er verbs include comer (to eat), beber (to drink), aprender (to learn), vender (to sell), and comprender (to understand).

Irregular -er Verbs

Irregular -er verbs do not follow the standard conjugation patterns. Their irregularities can manifest in several ways, such as stem changes (e.g., poder becoming puedo in the present tense) or irregular endings. Common irregular -er verbs include hacer (to do/make), tener (to have), poder (to be able to), and saber (to know). Because of their unique conjugations, irregular verbs require focused study and memorization.

Examples of Common -er Verbs

This section provides extensive examples of common -er verbs conjugated in various tenses. Understanding these examples will solidify your knowledge of -er verb conjugation and usage.

Present Tense Examples

The following table illustrates the present tense conjugation of several regular -er verbs:

Verb (Infinitive)	Yo	Tú	Él/Ella/Usted	Nosotros	Vosotros	Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes
Comer (to eat)	Como	Comes	Come	Comemos	Coméis	Comen
Beber (to drink)	Bebo	Bebes	Bebe	Bebemos	Bebéis	Beben
Aprender (to learn)	Aprendo	Aprendes	Aprende	Aprendemos	Aprendéis	Aprenden
Vender (to sell)	Vendo	Vendes	Vende	Vendemos	Vendéis	Venden
Temer (to fear)	Temo	Temes	Teme	Tememos	Teméis	Temen
Leer (to read)	Leo	Lees	Lee	Leemos	Leéis	Leen
Creer (to believe)	Creo	Crees	Cree	Creemos	Creéis	Creen
Deber (should/must)	Debo	Debes	Debe	Debemos	Debéis	Deben
Esconder (to hide)	Escondo	Escondes	Esconde	Escondemos	Escondéis	Esconden
Romper (to break)	Rompo	Rompes	Rompe	Rompemos	Rompéis	Rompen
Correr (to run)	Corro	Corres	Corre	Corremos	Corréis	Corren
Meter (to put in)	Meto	Metes	Mete	Metemos	Metéis	Meten
Prometer (to promise)	Prometo	Prometes	Promete	Prometemos	Prometéis	Prometen
Resolver (to resolve)	Resuelvo	Resuelves	Resuelve	Resolvemos	Resolvéis	Resuelven
Torcer (to twist)	Tuerzo	Tuerces	Tuerce	Torcemos	Torcéis	Tuercen
Verter (to pour)	Vierto	Viertes	Vierte	Vertemos	Vertéis	Vierten
Cosrer (to sew)	Cosro	Cosres	Cosre	Cosremos	Cosréis	Cosren
Absorber (to absorb)	Absorbo	Absorbes	Absorbe	Absorbemos	Absorbéis	Absorben
Proteger (to protect)	Protejo	Proteges	Protege	Protegemos	Protegéis	Protegen
Suspender (to suspend)	Suspendo	Suspendes	Suspende	Suspendemos	Suspendéis	Suspenden

This table showcases how the present tense endings are applied to the verb stems of regular -er verbs. By studying these examples, you can better understand the consistent patterns of conjugation.

Preterite Tense Examples

The preterite tense is used to describe completed actions in the past. Here are some examples of -er verbs conjugated in the preterite:

Verb (Infinitive)	Yo	Tú	Él/Ella/Usted	Nosotros	Vosotros	Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes
Comer (to eat)	Comí	Comiste	Comió	Comimos	Comisteis	Comieron
Beber (to drink)	Bebí	Bebiste	Bebió	Bebimos	Bebisteis	Bebieron
Aprender (to learn)	Aprendí	Aprendiste	Aprendió	Aprendimos	Aprendisteis	Aprendieron
Vender (to sell)	Vendí	Vendiste	Vendió	Vendimos	Vendisteis	Vendieron
Temer (to fear)	Temí	Temiste	Temió	Temimos	Temisteis	Temieron
Leer (to read)	Leí	Leíste	Leyó	Leímos	Leísteis	Leyeron
Creer (to believe)	Creí	Creíste	Creyó	Creímos	Creísteis	Creyeron
Deber (should/must)	Debí	Debiste	Debió	Debimos	Debisteis	Debieron
Esconder (to hide)	Escondí	Escondiste	Escondió	Escondimos	Escondisteis	Escondieron
Romper (to break)	Rompí	Rompiste	Rompió	Rompimos	Rompisteis	Rompieron
Correr (to run)	Corrí	Corriste	Corrió	Corrimos	Corristeis	Corrieron
Meter (to put in)	Metí	Metiste	Metió	Metimos	Metisteis	Metieron
Prometer (to promise)	Prometí	Prometiste	Prometió	Prometimos	Prometisteis	Prometieron
Resolver (to resolve)	Resolví	Resolviste	Resolvió	Resolvimos	Resolvisteis	Resolvieron
Torcer (to twist)	Torcí	Torciste	Torció	Torcimos	Torcisteis	Torcieron
Verter (to pour)	Vertí	Vertiste	Vertió	Vertimos	Vertisteis	Viertieron
Cosrer (to sew)	Cosrí	Cosriste	Cosrió	Cosrimos	Cosristeis	Cosrieron
Absorber (to absorb)	Absorbí	Absorbiste	Absorbió	Absorbimos	Absorbisteis	Absorbieron
Proteger (to protect)	Protegí	Protegiste	Protegió	Protegimos	Protegisteis	Protegieron
Suspender (to suspend)	Suspendí	Suspendiste	Suspendió	Suspendimos	Suspendisteis	Suspendieron

Notice the -í, -iste, -ió, -imos, -isteis, and -ieron endings, which are characteristic of the preterite tense for regular -er verbs. Verbs like leer and creer have slight spelling changes in the third person singular and plural.

Imperfect Tense Examples

The imperfect tense describes ongoing or habitual actions in the past. Here’s how some -er verbs are conjugated in the imperfect tense:

Verb (Infinitive)	Yo	Tú	Él/Ella/Usted	Nosotros	Vosotros	Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes
Comer (to eat)	Comía	Comías	Comía	Comíamos	Comíais	Comían
Beber (to drink)	Bebía	Bebías	Bebía	Bebíamos	Bebíais	Bebían
Aprender (to learn)	Aprendía	Aprendías	Aprendía	Aprendíamos	Aprendíais	Aprendían
Vender (to sell)	Vendía	Vendías	Vendía	Vendíamos	Vendíais	Vendían
Temer (to fear)	Temía	Temías	Temía	Temíamos	Temíais	Temían
Leer (to read)	Leía	Leías	Leía	Leíamos	Leíais	Leían
Creer (to believe)	Creía	Creías	Creía	Creíamos	Creíais	Creían
Deber (should/must)	Debía	Debías	Debía	Debíamos	Debíais	Debían
Esconder (to hide)	Escondía	Escondías	Escondía	Escondíamos	Escondíais	Escondían
Romper (to break)	Rompía	Rompías	Rompía	Rompíamos	Rompíais	Rompían
Correr (to run)	Corría	Corrías	Corría	Corríamos	Corrías	Corrían
Meter (to put in)	Metía	Metías	Metía	Metíamos	Metías	Metían
Prometer (to promise)	Prometía	Prometías	Prometía	Prometíamos	Prometías	Prometían
Resolver (to resolve)	Resolvía	Resolvías	Resolvía	Resolvíamos	Resolvíais	Resolvían
Torcer (to twist)	Torcía	Torcías	Torcía	Torcíamos	Torcíais	Torcían
Verter (to pour)	Vertía	Vertías	Vertía	Vertíamos	Vertíais	Vertían
Cosrer (to sew)	Cosría	Cosrías	Cosría	Cosríamos	Cosríais	Cosrían
Absorber (to absorb)	Absorbía	Absorbías	Absorbía	Absorbíamos	Absorbíais	Absorbían
Proteger (to protect)	Protegía	Protegías	Protegía	Protegíamos	Protegíais	Protegían
Suspender (to suspend)	Suspendía	Suspendías	Suspendía	Suspendíamos	Suspendíais	Suspendían

The imperfect tense endings for -er verbs are -ía, -ías, -ía, -íamos, -íais, and -ían. This tense is often used to describe past habits or states.

Future Tense Examples

The future tense expresses actions that will occur in the future. Here’s how to conjugate -er verbs in the future tense:

Verb (Infinitive)	Yo	Tú	Él/Ella/Usted	Nosotros	Vosotros	Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes
Comer (to eat)	Comeré	Comerás	Comerá	Comeremos	Comeréis	Comerán
Beber (to drink)	Beberé	Beberás	Beberá	Beberemos	Beberéis	Beberán
Aprender (to learn)	Aprenderé	Aprenderás	Aprenderá	Aprenderemos	Aprenderéis	Aprenderán
Vender (to sell)	Venderé	Venderás	Venderá	Venderemos	Venderéis	Venderán
Temer (to fear)	Temeré	Temerás	Temerá	Temeremos	Temeréis	Temerán
Leer (to read)	Leeré	Leerás	Leerá	Leeremos	Leeréis	Leerán
Creer (to believe)	Creeré	Creerás	Creerá	Creeremos	Creeréis	Creerán
Deber (should/must)	Deberé	Deberás	Deberá	Deberemos	Deberéis	Deberán
Esconder (to hide)	Esconderé	Esconderás	Esconderá	Esconderemos	Esconderéis	Esconderán
Romper (to break)	Romperé	Romperás	Romperá	Romperemos	Romperéis	Romperán
Correr (to run)	Correré	Correrás	Correrá	Correremos	Correréis	Correrán
Meter (to put in)	Meteré	Meterás	Meterá	Meteremos	Meteréis	Meterán
Prometer (to promise)	Prometeré	Prometerás	Prometerá	Prometeremos	Prometeréis	Prometerán
Resolver (to resolve)	Resolveré	Resolverás	Resolverá	Resolveremos	Resolveréis	Resolverán
Torcer (to twist)	Torceré	Torcerás	Torcerá	Torceremos	Torceréis	Torcerán
Verter (to pour)	Verteré	Verterás	Verterá	Verteremos	Verteréis	Verterán
Cosrer (to sew)	Cosreré	Cosrerás	Cosrerá	Cosreremos	Cosreréis	Cosrerán
Absorber (to absorb)	Absorberé	Absorberás	Absorberá	Absorberemos	Absorberéis	Absorberán
Proteger (to protect)	Protegeré	Protegerás	Protegerá	Protegeremos	Protegeréis	Protegerán
Suspender (to suspend)	Suspenderé	Suspenderás	Suspenderá	Suspenderemos	Suspenderéis	Suspenderán

The future tense endings are added directly to the infinitive: -é, -ás, -á, -emos, -éis, -án.

Usage Rules for -er Verbs

The basic rule for using -er verbs is to conjugate them correctly according to the subject pronoun and the tense you want to express. However, there are some additional nuances and considerations.

• Subject-Verb Agreement: Ensure that the verb form matches the subject pronoun. For example, if the subject is “yo,” use the verb form that ends in “-o” in the present tense.
• Tense Consistency: Maintain consistency in tense within a sentence or paragraph, unless there is a clear reason to switch tenses.
• Irregular Verbs: Be aware of irregular verbs and their unique conjugation patterns. Memorize the irregular forms to avoid errors.
• Reflexive Verbs: Some -er verbs can be used reflexively, meaning the action is performed on the subject itself. In these cases, use reflexive pronouns (me, te, se, nos, os, se) before the verb. For example, “Me escondo” (I hide myself).

Common Mistakes with -er Verbs

One common mistake is using the wrong verb ending for a particular subject pronoun or tense. For example, incorrectly conjugating “comer” as “yo comes” instead of “yo como.”

Another frequent error is confusing regular and irregular verbs. Attempting to conjugate an irregular verb using regular verb endings will result in incorrect grammar. For instance, saying “yo *podo*” instead of “yo puedo” (from the irregular verb poder) is a common mistake.

Examples of Common Mistakes:

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
Yo comes (I eat)	Yo como (I eat)	Incorrect verb ending for “yo” in the present tense.
Él bebemos (We drink)	Nosotros bebemos (We drink)	Incorrect subject-verb agreement. “Él” (he) requires the third-person singular form.
Yo sabo (I know)	Yo sé (I know)	“Saber” is an irregular verb; it doesn’t follow the regular -er verb pattern.
Ellos aprendí (They learned)	Ellos aprendieron (They learned)	Incorrect preterite ending for “ellos.”

Practice Exercises

Test your knowledge of -er verbs with these practice exercises.

Exercise 1: Present Tense Conjugation

Conjugate the following verbs in the present tense for all subject pronouns:

1. Comer (to eat)
2. Beber (to drink)
3. Aprender (to learn)
4. Vender (to sell)
5. Temer (to fear)
6. Leer (to read)
7. Creer (to believe)
8. Deber (to owe)
9. Esconder (to hide)
10. Romper (to break)

Answer Key:

1. Comer: Yo como, Tú comes, Él/Ella/Usted come, Nosotros comemos, Vosotros coméis, Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes comen
2. Beber: Yo bebo, Tú bebes, Él/Ella/Usted bebe, Nosotros bebemos, Vosotros bebéis, Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes beben
3. Aprender: Yo aprendo, Tú aprendes, Él/Ella/Usted aprende, Nosotros aprendemos, Vosotros aprendéis, Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes aprenden
4. Vender: Yo vendo, Tú vendes, Él/Ella/Usted vende, Nosotros vendemos, Vosotros vendéis, Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes venden
5. Temer: Yo temo, Tú temes, Él/Ella/Usted teme, Nosotros tememos, Vosotros teméis, Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes temen
6. Leer: Yo leo, Tú lees, Él/Ella/Usted lee, Nosotros leemos, Vosotros leéis, Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes leen
7. Creer: Yo creo, Tú crees, Él/Ella/Usted cree, Nosotros creemos, Vosotros creéis, Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes creen
8. Deber: Yo debo, Tú debes, Él/Ella/Usted debe, Nosotros debemos, Vosotros debéis, Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes deben
9. Esconder: Yo escondo, Tú escondes, Él/Ella/Usted esconde, Nosotros escondemos, Vosotros escondéis, Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes esconden
10. Romper: Yo rompo, Tú rompes, Él/Ella/Usted rompe, Nosotros rompemos, Vosotros rompéis, Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes rompen

Exercise 2: Preterite Tense Conjugation

Conjugate the following verbs in the preterite tense for the specified subject pronouns:

1. Comer (to eat): Tú
2. Beber (to drink): Nosotros
3. Aprender (to learn): Él/Ella/Usted
4. Vender (to sell): Yo
5. Temer (to fear): Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes
6. Leer (to read): Yo
7. Creer (to believe): Tú
8. Deber (to owe): Él/Ella/Usted
9. Esconder (to hide): Nosotros
10. Romper (to break): Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes

Answer Key:

1. Comer: Tú comiste
2. Beber: Nosotros bebimos
3. Aprender: Él/Ella/Usted aprendió
4. Vender: Yo vendí
5. Temer: Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes temieron
6. Leer: Yo leí
7. Creer: Tú creíste
8. Deber: Él/Ella/Usted debió
9. Esconder: Nosotros escondimos
10. Romper: Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes rompieron

Exercise 3: Sentence Completion

Complete the following sentences with the correct form of the verb in parentheses:

1. Yo _______ (comer) pizza todos los viernes.
2. Nosotros _______ (beber) agua después de correr.
3. Ella _______ (aprender) español muy rápido.
4. Ellos _______ (vender) su casa el año pasado.
5. Tú _______ (temer) a las arañas.
6. Yo _______ (leer) un libro interesante ayer.
7. Ustedes _______ (creer) en fantasmas?
8. Él _______ (deber) mucho dinero.
9. Nosotros _______ (esconder) los dulces de los niños.
10. Ellos _______ (romper) la ventana jugando al futbol.

Answer Key:

1. Yo como (comer) pizza todos los viernes.
2. Nosotros bebemos (beber) agua después de correr.
3. Ella aprende (aprender) español muy rápido.
4. Ellos vendieron (vender) su casa el año pasado.
5. Tú temes (temer) a las arañas.
6. Yo leí (leer) un libro interesante ayer.
7. Ustedes creen (creer) en fantasmas?
8. Él debe (deber) mucho dinero.
9. Nosotros escondimos (esconder) los dulces de los niños.
10. Ellos rompieron (romper) la ventana jugando al futbol.

Advanced Topics: Irregular -er Verbs

As mentioned earlier, irregular -er verbs don’t follow the standard conjugation patterns. These verbs often have stem changes or irregular endings in one or more tenses. Mastering these verbs requires focused study and practice.

Common Irregular -er Verbs

• Hacer (to do/make): This verb is irregular in the present tense “yo” form (yo hago) and in the preterite tense (hice, hiciste, hizo, hicimos, hicisteis, hicieron).
• Tener (to have): This verb has a stem change in the present tense (tengo, tienes, tiene, tenemos, tenéis, tienen) and is irregular in the preterite (tuve, tuviste, tuvo, tuvimos, tuvisteis, tuvieron).
• Poder (to be able to): This verb has a stem change in the present tense (puedo, puedes, puede, podemos, podéis, pueden) and is irregular in the preterite (pude, pudiste, pudo, pudimos, pudisteis, pudieron).
• Saber (to know): This verb is irregular in the present tense “yo” form (yo sé) and in the preterite tense (supe, supiste, supo, supimos, supisteis, supieron).

Stem-Changing Verbs

Stem-changing verbs alter their stem vowel in certain conjugations. There are several types of stem changes:

• e > ie: For example, querer (to want) becomes quiero, quieres, quiere, queremos, queréis, quieren in the present tense.
• o > ue: For example, poder (to be able to) becomes puedo, puedes, puede, podemos, podéis, pueden in the present tense.

It’s important to note that stem changes typically occur only in the present tense and sometimes in the preterite. The “nosotros” and “vosotros” forms usually do not undergo stem changes in the present tense.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Conclusion

Mastering Spanish -er verbs is a fundamental step in achieving fluency in Spanish. By understanding the definition, conjugation patterns, usage rules, and common mistakes associated with these verbs, you can significantly improve your ability to communicate effectively in Spanish. Regular practice, focused study of irregular verbs, and utilization of available resources will solidify your knowledge and boost your confidence. Keep practicing, and you’ll soon be conjugating -er verbs like a pro!