A2 Spanish grammar

Spanish Irregular Yo Forms: -go, -zco, -jo, and -yo Verbs

Some present-tense verbs are especially irregular in the yo form. Learn these high-frequency forms as patterns, while keeping the regular-looking forms for many other subjects.

Spanish irregular yo forms: Learn common yo forms ending in -go

Hacer, poner, salir, tener, venir, and traer use high-frequency yo forms ending in -go.

Pongo las llaves aquí.

I put the keys here.The yo form of poner is pongo.

Quick check

Yo ___ la cena. (hacer)

Use -zco and -jo forms

Conocer and conducir use -zco for yo, while escoger and dirigir use a spelling change to -jo.

Conozco bien Madrid.

I know Madrid well.Conocer becomes conozco for yo.

Recognise other spelling-based yo forms

Oír uses oigo, caer uses caigo, and verbs ending in -uir often insert y, as in construyo.

Oigo música desde mi habitación.

I hear music from my room.The yo form of oír is oigo.

Common mistakes

Yo salo a las ocho.

Yo salgo a las ocho.

Salir uses the irregular yo form salgo.

Yo conduco al trabajo.

Yo conduzco al trabajo.

Conducir uses conduzco in the first person.

Yo oyo un ruido.

Yo oigo un ruido.

Oír does not form its yo form as oyo.

Ready to practise Spanish irregular yo forms?

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Practice Spanish irregular yo forms

Irregular yo forms FAQ

What does irregular yo forms cover?

Some present-tense verbs are especially irregular in the yo form. Learn these high-frequency forms as patterns, while keeping the regular-looking forms for many other subjects.

What is the first rule to remember?

Hacer, poner, salir, tener, venir, and traer use high-frequency yo forms ending in -go.

What is another important A2 pattern?

Conocer and conducir use -zco for yo, while escoger and dirigir use a spelling change to -jo.

How can I practise Spanish irregular yo forms?

Complete the focused round, review each correction, and repeat the lesson when its skills become due again.

Continue learning

Stem-changing verbsLearn the common e→ie, o→ue, and e→i present-tense changes and when the verb stem stays unchanged.More irregular present verbsPractise decir, poner, salir, traer, oír, saber, and dar in useful present-tense sentences.Present for scheduled plansLearn when Spanish uses the present tense with a future time expression for fixed or scheduled plans.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.