Language learning · Grades 8–12

Grammar & vocabulary · Quick reference

Reference sheet for Grades 8 to 12: spanish preterite: regular verbs and french present tense: -er verbs. Regular Spanish verbs form the preterite by replacing -ar, -er or -ir with the past endings.

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Rule and key idea

Spanish preterite: regular verbs

Regular Spanish verbs form the preterite by replacing -ar, -er or -ir with the past endings. Watch the written accents on yo and él/ella forms.

-ar: é, aste, ó, amos, aron · -er/-ir: í, iste, ió, imos, ieron

Choose the Spanish preterite (simple past) form: Ayer yo ___ (preparar, “to prepare”). → preparé

French present tense: -er verbs

Remove the infinitive ending and add the ending that matches the subject. In French, je becomes j’ before a vowel or a silent h.

-er: e, es, e, ons, ez, ent

Choose the French present-tense form: je ___ (porter, “to carry”). → porte

Check yourself

Four practice questions on this topic. Try each one before you open the answer.

Choose the Spanish preterite (simple past) form: Ayer yo ___ (cocinar, “to cook”).
- cocinaron
- cocinamos
- cociné
- cocinó
Show the answer
cociné Preterite of cocinar: yo cociné, tú cocinaste, él/ella cocinó, nosotros cocinamos, ustedes/ellos cocinaron.
Choose the Spanish preterite (simple past) form: Ayer yo ___ (comprar, “to buy”).
- compré
- compró
- compro
- compraste
Show the answer
compré Preterite of comprar: yo compré, tú compraste, él/ella compró, nosotros compramos, ustedes/ellos compraron.
Choose the Spanish preterite (simple past) form: Ayer yo ___ (escuchar, “to listen to”).
- escucharon
- escuchaste
- escuché
- escucho
Show the answer
escuché Preterite of escuchar: yo escuché, tú escuchaste, él/ella escuchó, nosotros escuchamos, ustedes/ellos escucharon.
Choose the Spanish preterite (simple past) form: Ayer yo ___ (mirar, “to look at”).
- miré
- miraron
- miro
- miraste
Show the answer
miré Preterite of mirar: yo miré, tú miraste, él/ella miró, nosotros miramos, ustedes/ellos miraron.