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 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.
We had a problem.Tener changes to tuv- and adds -imos.

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.
You were at home.Estuv- plus -iste gives estuviste.

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.
She did the shopping.The third-person singular form is hizo.

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.

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Practice irregular Spanish preterite verbs

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.

Continue learning

Regular preteriteForm regular -ar, -er, and -ir verbs in the preterite and use them for completed past events.Ser and ir in the preteriteLearn fui, fuiste, fue, fuimos, fuisteis, and fueron and use context to distinguish ser from ir.Preterite time expressionsUse ayer, anoche, la semana pasada, hace dos días, and sequence markers with completed past actions.Complete A2 Spanish grammar courseSee every A2 unit and continue through the course in order.Spanish tense guidesCompare the major tense systems used throughout this course.