A1. Lesson 17: Irregular Verbs (Part 2) + Voy a and Plans

🎯 Goal: Learn to conjugate irregular verbs with stem-changes (e → ie, o → ue, e → i) and specific irregular verbs (venir, tener, jugar) in the present tense. Master the construction ir + a + infinitive to express future plans. Review irregular verbs from previous lessons.

🧠 Grammar Explanation: Irregular Verbs II in Present Tense

This lesson introduces irregular verbs with stem-changes in the present tense, grouped by their vowel changes, and specific irregular verbs (venir, tener, jugar). 

These verbs deviate from regular -AR, -ER, -IR patterns but follow predictable changes, except in nosotros and vosotros forms, which remain regular.

1️⃣Group 1: Stem-Change e → ie

Verbs with an E in the stem change to IE in all forms except nosotros and vosotros.

Querer – quiero (to want), pensar – pienso (to think), cerrar – cierro (to close), sentir – siento (to feel), preferir – prefiero (to prefer), empezar – empiezo (to start), entender – entiendo (to understand)

 👉 Querer, Pensar, Cerrar, Sentir

📝 Examples:

• Yo quiero estudiar español. – I want to study Spanish.
• Tú piensas mucho en el futuro. – You think a lot about the future.
• Ella cierra la ventana cada noche. – She closes the window every night.
• Siento dolor en la espalda. – I have back pain.

👉 Preferir, Empezar, Entender

📝 Examples:

• Nosotros preferimos té al café. – We prefer tea over coffee.
• El curso empieza en septiembre. – The course starts in September.
• ¿Tú entiendes la lección? – Do you understand the lesson?

2️⃣Group 2: Stem-Change o → ue

Verbs with an O in the stem change to UE in all forms except nosotros and vosotros.

👉 Poder, Dormir, Volver, Contar

Poder – puedo (can/to be able), dormir – duermo (to sleep), volver – vuelvo (to return), contar – cuento (to count / to tell a story), costar – cuesto (to cost), almorzar – almuerzo (to have lunch), encontrar – encuentro (to find), recordar – recuerdo (to remember)

📝 Examples:

• Ellos pueden venir mañana. – They can come tomorrow.
• Mi hijo duerme ocho horas. – My son sleeps eight hours.
• Nosotros volvemos a casa temprano. – We return home early.
• Él cuenta una historia interesante. – He tells an interesting story.

👉 Costar, Almorzar, Encontrar, Recordar

📝 Examples:

• Este libro cuesta 10 dólares. – This book costs $10.
• Yo almuerzo en casa. – I have lunch at home.
• ¿Encuentras tus llaves? – Do you find your keys?
• Ellos recuerdan todo.– They remember everything.

3️⃣Group 3: Stem-Change e → i

These verbs with an E in the stem change to I in all forms except nosotros and vosotros.

Pedir – pido (to ask/order), servir – sirvo (to serve), medir – mido (to measure), seguir – sigo (to follow), repetir – repito (to repeat), vestirse – me visto (to get dressed)

 👉 Pedir, Servir, Medir

📝 Examples:

• Yo pido pizza los viernes. – I order pizza on Fridays.
• Ella sirve el café. – She serves the coffee.
• ¿Mides la pared? – Do you measure the wall?

👉 Seguir, Repetir, Vestirse

📝 Examples:

• Yo sigo las instrucciones. – I follow the instructions.
• Tú repites la palabra. – You repeat the word.
• Ellos se visten rápido. – They get dressed quickly.

4️⃣ Group 4: Irregular Verbs with Unique Patterns

These verbs have irregular stems or forms, often with vowel changes.

Jugar – juego (to play), venir – vengo (to come), tener – tengo (to have), decir – digo (to say)

📝 Examples: 

• Yo juego al fútbol. – I play soccer.
• Tú vienes a la fiesta. – You come to the party.
• Ella tiene un perro. – She has a dog.
• Nosotros decimos la verdad. – We tell the truth.

↩️ Flashcards: Verbs

Explore interactive flashcards to memorize irregular verbs. Click to reveal the translations.

Pronounce the Spanish phrase and test yourself on the English translation. Look at the answer if you’re unsure. Keep going through the cards until you can do them all without looking!

🧩 Vocabulary Quiz: Verbs

Match verbs to images. View a picture and select the correct term.

1.

querer pedir jugar

2.

costar dormir contar

3.

dormir volver cerrar

4.

jugar pensar almorzar

5.

cerrar costar contar

6.

preferir pensar medir

7.

servir contar poder

8.

pensar almorzar empezar

9.

decir dormir almorzar

10.

pedir medir dormir

Complete Quiz

Quiz Results:

Total Correct Answers:

🎯 Grammar Quiz: Irregular Verbs

Test your understanding of irregular verb conjugation with this quiz.

🧠 Grammar Explanation: ir + a + Infinitive

Use ir + a + infinitive to express future plans or intentions. It’s formed with the conjugated form of ir (to go) + a + an infinitive verb.

The structure “Voy a + [infinitive]” translates to “I’m going to + [verb]” in English. It expresses:

• Future plans: Voy a viajar – I’m going to travel.
• Intentions: Voy a estudiar – I’m going to study.
• Imminent actions: Voy a comer – I’m about to eat.

How to Use It: Conjugate ir (to go) in the present tense + a + infinitive verb:

• Voy a llamar a mi madre. – I’m going to call my mom.
• ¿Vas a salir? – Are you going to go out?

📝 Examples:

• Plans: Voy a comprar un coche. – I’m going to buy a car.
• Predictions: Va a llover. – It’s going to rain.
• Offers: ¿Vas a ayudarme? – Are you going to help me?

📝 Example: 

• Voy a empezar un curso en la universidad. – I’m going to start a course at the university.
• Voy a estudiar en la biblioteca. – I’m going to study in the library.
• Vamos a jugar al fútbol. – We’re going to play soccer.

🧩 Practice Quiz: Irregular Verbs and Voy a

Practice conjugating irregular verbs and using voy a with this dropdown quiz.

🔍 Fill in the Missing Word

Complete the sentences by choosing the correct verb from the word bank. Pay attention to the meaning – only one verb fits each sentence.

✏️ Listening Practice: Complete the Sentences

Listen and complete the sentences by typing the missing words.

🗣️ Shadowing: Repeat After the Audio

Practice pronunciation with 10 sentences using irregular verbs, voy a, and place vocabulary. Listen and repeat each sentence during the pause. Practice 2-3 times.

📚 Reading: Planning a Weekend

This dialogue uses irregular verbs, voy a, and place vocabulary to discuss weekend plans.

Text:

(M) Hola, Juan. ¿Qué quieres hacer este fin de semana?
(J) Hola, María. Quiero ir al cine. Pienso ver una película nueva.
(M) ¡Yo también! Puedo encontrar entradas en la tienda. Voy a comprarlas.
(J) Perfecto. También podemos almorzar en el parque. Tengo una idea: voy a traer comida.
(M) Me despierto temprano, así que voy a empezar a preparar todo. ¿Vienes a mi casa primero?
(J) Sí, vengo a las diez. ¡Vamos a disfrutar!

✍️ Fill in the Blanks: Mixed Practice

Practice irregular verbs, voy a, and place vocabulary with this mixed quiz, including review verbs from Lesson 16 (ir, hacer, conocer).

🎧 Listening: Future Plans

Listen to a short audio of a person describing their plans using irregular verbs and voy a.

🔍 Fill in the Missing Word

Complete the sentences by choosing the correct verb from the word bank. Pay attention to the meaning – only one verb fits each sentence.

↩️ Flashcard: Review Vocabulary

Build your Spanish vocabulary using these flashcards. Go through each card and test yourself on the Spanish meanings.