A2 Spanish grammar
Irregular Spanish Preterite Verbs: High-Frequency Forms
Several high-frequency verbs replace their normal stem in the preterite and then use a shared set of endings. Learning the stem families makes these forms predictable.
Irregular preterite formula
irregular stem + e / iste / o / imos / isteis / ieron
Use the shared endings without written accents. Hacer changes hic- to hiz- before the third-person singular -o.
Tener and estar in the preterite
| Person | tener | estar |
|---|---|---|
| yo | tuve | estuve |
| tú | tuviste | estuviste |
| él / ella / usted | tuvo | estuvo |
| nosotros | tuvimos | estuvimos |
| vosotros | tuvisteis | estuvisteis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | tuvieron | estuvieron |
Poder and poner in the preterite
| Person | poder | poner |
|---|---|---|
| yo | pude | puse |
| tú | pudiste | pusiste |
| él / ella / usted | pudo | puso |
| nosotros | pudimos | pusimos |
| vosotros | pudisteis | pusisteis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | pudieron | pusieron |
Venir and hacer in the preterite
| Person | venir | hacer |
|---|---|---|
| yo | vine | hice |
| tú | viniste | hiciste |
| él / ella / usted | vino | hizo |
| nosotros | vinimos | hicimos |
| vosotros | vinisteis | hicisteis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | vinieron | hicieron |
Hizo uses z to preserve the sound before -o.
Core irregular preterite stems
| Infinitive | Stem |
|---|---|
| tener | tuv- |
| estar | estuv- |
| poder | pud- |
| poner | pus- |
| venir | vin- |
| hacer | hic- / hiz- |
Add the shared irregular endings shown in the complete tables above.
irregular Spanish preterite verbs: Recognise the irregular stems
Tener uses tuv-, estar estuv-, poder pud-, poner pus-, and venir vin- before the shared irregular endings.
Tuvimos un problema.Quick check
Choose the preterite stem of estar.
Add the shared irregular endings
These stems take -e, -iste, -o, -imos, -isteis, and -ieron, normally without written accents.
Estuviste en casa.Use hizo for él, ella, and usted
Hacer uses hic- in most preterite forms but changes c to z in hizo to preserve pronunciation.
Ella hizo la compra.Common mistakes
Tenimos un problema ayer.
Tuvimos un problema ayer.
The preterite stem of tener is tuv-.
Pusé la mesa.
Puse la mesa.
The irregular yo ending -e has no written accent.
Él hico la cena.
Él hizo la cena.
Use hizo, not hico, in the third-person singular.
Ready to practise irregular Spanish preterite verbs?
Complete an eight-question round and save skill-level progress for future review.
Irregular preterite FAQ
What does irregular preterite cover?
Several high-frequency verbs replace their normal stem in the preterite and then use a shared set of endings. Learning the stem families makes these forms predictable.
What is the first rule to remember?
Tener uses tuv-, estar estuv-, poder pud-, poner pus-, and venir vin- before the shared irregular endings.
What is another important A2 pattern?
These stems take -e, -iste, -o, -imos, -isteis, and -ieron, normally without written accents.
How can I practise irregular Spanish preterite verbs?
Complete the focused round, review each correction, and repeat the lesson when its skills become due again.