A1 Present Tense 14 min read Easy

Spanish -ER Verbs: How to use 'Comer' (to eat)

Mastering 'comer' gives you the template for all regular -er verbs while helping you navigate Spanish food culture.
Mark as Learned
Practice it

Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

To conjugate regular -ER verbs, remove the -ER and add the endings: -o, -es, -e, -emos, -éis, -en.

  • Identify the stem by removing the -ER ending from the infinitive (e.g., 'comer' becomes 'com-').
  • Match the subject pronoun to the correct ending: yo (o), tú (es), él/ella/usted (e), nosotros (emos), vosotros (éis), ellos/ellas/ustedes (en).
  • Attach the ending to the stem to form the conjugated verb (e.g., 'yo como').
Stem + [-o, -es, -e, -emos, -éis, -en] = Conjugated Verb

Overview

The Spanish verb comer (to eat) is fundamental for daily communication, covering sustenance and social interaction. As a regular -ER verb, comer follows predictable conjugation patterns, making it an ideal starting point for understanding numerous other Spanish verbs. Its regularity simplifies the learning process, establishing a clear paradigm that applies to verbs like beber (to drink) and correr (to run).

Mastering comer enables practical communication about food and provides a foundational understanding of Spanish verb mechanics at an A1 level. This explanation details its conjugation, usage, common pitfalls, and provides tools for effective practice.

Conjugation Table

Subject Pronoun Conjugation English Translation Notes
:-------------- :---------- :-------------------------- :----
Yo como I eat / I am eating
Tú comes You eat / You are eating (informal singular) Used in informal settings with friends, family, or children.
Él/Ella come He/She eats / He/She is eating
Usted come You eat / You are eating (formal singular) Used to show respect or formality.
Nosotros/Nosotras comemos We eat / We are eating Nosotros for mixed/male groups, nosotras for all-female groups.
Vosotros/Vosotras coméis You all eat / You all are eating (informal plural, Spain) Primarily used in Spain.
Ellos/Ellas comen They eat / They are eating Ellos for mixed/male groups, ellas for all-female groups.
Ustedes comen You all eat / You all are eating (formal plural, Latin America & some parts of Spain) Standard plural 'you' in Latin America.

How This Grammar Works

Spanish verbs are constructed from a stem and an ending, which changes based on the subject performing the action. This system, known as conjugation, ensures grammatical agreement within a sentence. For comer, the stem is com-, and its endings are characteristic of regular -ER verbs in the present tense.
The verb ending alone often indicates the subject, a key feature of Spanish where explicit subject pronouns are frequently omitted. For instance, como unambiguously means "I eat" or "I am eating," making yo redundant in most contexts.
The present tense in Spanish is remarkably versatile, conveying several nuances of time and action. It describes actions happening now (¿Qué comes? - "What are you eating?"), habitual or routine actions (Comemos fruta cada día. - "We eat fruit every day."), and even future actions when contextually clear, particularly in informal speech with time expressions (Mañana comes con nosotros. - "Tomorrow you eat with us."). This broad applicability allows efficient communication, often replacing a distinct future tense in casual situations.
Understanding these functions is crucial for accurate sentence interpretation and construction.

Formation Pattern

1
Conjugating a regular -ER verb like comer in the present tense follows a consistent, three-step pattern. This systematic approach allows you to apply the same logic to many other verbs once you understand the core mechanism.
2
Identify the infinitive verb: This is the base form, ending in -ar, -er, or -ir. For this rule, our infinitive is comer.
3
Remove the -er ending: Detach the infinitive ending to reveal the verb's stem. For comer, removing -er leaves you with the stem com-. This stem carries the core meaning of the verb.
4
Add the appropriate present tense ending: Based on the subject performing the action, attach one of the standard -ER present tense endings to the stem. These endings are specific to regular -ER verbs and maintain consistency across this verb group.
5
Here are the standard endings for regular -ER verbs in the present tense:
6
| Subject Pronoun | Regular -ER Ending | Example: comer |
7
| :-------------- | :----------------- | :--------------- |
8
| Yo | -o | como |
9
| Tú | -es | comes |
10
| Él/Ella/Usted | -e | come |
11
| Nosotros/Nosotras | -emos | comemos |
12
| Vosotros/Vosotras | -éis | coméis |
13
| Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes | -en | comen |
14
Observe that the vowel e consistently appears in most of these endings, reflecting the -er infinitive. The only exception is the yo form, which universally ends in -o for all regular present tense verbs (-AR, -ER, -IR). This -o ending is a consistent marker for the first-person singular.

When To Use It

You will use comer whenever the concept of "eating" or "consuming food" is central to your message. Its versatility allows it to cover a broad range of scenarios in daily Spanish conversation.
  • To express ongoing actions: Even without the progressive tense (estar + gerund), the simple present can describe something happening right now. For example, Como un bocadillo. (I'm eating a sandwich.) implies the action is in progress.
  • To describe habitual actions or routines: When something occurs regularly, the present tense is the correct choice. Comemos en casa todos los días. (We eat at home every day.) illustrates a consistent pattern.
  • To state general truths or facts: Universal statements about eating patterns or dietary habits use the present tense. Los vegetarianos no comen carne. (Vegetarians don't eat meat.) is a factual declaration.
  • To refer to near-future events: In informal contexts, especially with a time marker, the present tense often replaces the future tense. ¿Qué comes mañana? (What are you eating tomorrow?) is a natural way to inquire about future meal plans. El lunes comemos en el restaurante nuevo. (On Monday we eat at the new restaurant.) conveys a scheduled event.
  • When ordering or discussing meals: At a restaurant or during a conversation about food, comer is indispensable. ¿Qué van a comer ustedes? (What are you all going to eat?) is a common question from a waiter. You might say Yo no como pescado. (I don't eat fish.) to express a dietary preference. Food holds significant cultural importance in Spanish-speaking countries; la comida in Spain specifically refers to the main mid-day meal.

When Not To Use It

While comer is broadly applicable for solid food consumption, certain contexts require different verbs to maintain accuracy and naturalness in Spanish. Misusing comer can lead to confusion or sound unnatural.
  • For liquids or beverages: Spanish distinguishes between eating and drinking. For any liquid intake, the verb beber (to drink) is appropriate. You would not say Como agua (I eat water); instead, say Bebo agua (I drink water). Similarly, Ella bebe café (She drinks coffee) is correct, not Ella come café.
  • For consuming media or information metaphorically: While English might use "consume" for media, Spanish typically uses more specific verbs. While comerse una serie (literally to eat a series) can be used informally for "to binge-watch a series," it is idiomatic and not a general substitute. For "reading a book" use leer un libro, and for "watching a movie" use ver una película.
  • When specific meal verbs exist: Spanish has verbs for specific meals often preferred over comer for greater precision. Desayunar (to have breakfast), almorzar (to have lunch – common in Spain), and cenar (to have dinner) are frequently used. For example, Desayuno a las siete (I have breakfast at seven) is more specific than Como a las siete.

Common Mistakes

Learners often encounter specific challenges when first conjugating and using comer. Recognizing these common errors and understanding their underlying causes will help you avoid them.
  • Confusing -ER and -AR verb endings: This is a frequent error. Because -AR verbs (like hablar) are often learned first, learners sometimes mistakenly apply -AR endings to -ER verbs. Remember, regular -AR verbs use a in their endings (hablas, habla), while regular -ER verbs predominantly use e (comes, come), with the yo form always ending in -o. Saying Ella comas instead of Ella come is an example of this mix-up.
  • Overusing subject pronouns: In Spanish, the verb ending itself indicates the subject. Therefore, saying Yo como every time you mean "I eat" is redundant and can sound unnatural or overly emphatic. Only use yo, tú, él, ella, usted, etc., when you need to emphasize the subject or clarify ambiguity. For instance, Yo como mucho, pero él come poco. (_I_ eat a lot, but _he_ eats little.).
  • Misinterpreting vosotros/vosotras: This form (coméis) is exclusively used in Spain for the informal plural "you all." In almost all of Latin America, and in formal contexts in Spain, ustedes (comen) is used for the plural "you." Using vosotros in Latin America will be understood but will immediately identify you as a non-native speaker.
  • Incorrectly identifying the verb stem: The stem of comer is consistently com-. Do not add extra letters or alter it. The rule is to remove only the two-letter infinitive ending.
  • Using comer for drinking: This is a direct translation error from English. Always use beber for liquids. Comer cerveza (to eat beer) is incorrect; Beber cerveza (to drink beer) is correct.

Memory Trick

A simple memory trick can help solidify the correct endings for regular -ER verbs like comer. Focus on the vowel association.

Think of the "E" in -ER verbs. For most conjugations (tú, él/ella/usted, nosotros, vosotros, ellos/ellas/ustedes), the dominant vowel in the ending is also an e.

- comes (tú)

- come (él/ella/usted)

- comemos (nosotros)

- coméis (vosotros)

- comen (ellos/ellas/ustedes)

The only exception is the yo form, which consistently ends in -o across all regular Spanish verbs (yo como, yo hablo, yo vivo). This universal -o for yo is a consistent pattern to remember. Therefore, if it's not yo, expect an e in the ending for an -ER verb.

Real Conversations

Understanding comer in practice extends beyond rote conjugation to how native speakers integrate it into everyday communication, including casual chat, social media, and more formal interactions. Observe the natural omission of subject pronouns and the use of context.

- Casual Question & Answer:

- ¿Qué comes? (What are you eating?)

- Como arroz con pollo. (I'm eating rice with chicken.) - Yo is omitted.

- Making plans:

- ¿Comemos juntos el viernes? (Shall we eat together on Friday?)

- Claro, ¿a qué hora comemos? (Sure, at what time do we eat?)

- On social media/messaging:

- ¡Comiendo paella en Valencia! 😋 (Eating paella in Valencia!) - Present participle used informally for an ongoing action, or implied Estoy comiendo.

- Hoy no como ensalada. (Today I'm not eating salad.) - Common phrasing for current dietary choices.

- Expressing habits:

- Mi perro come mucho. (My dog eats a lot.)

- Nunca comes las verduras. (You never eat vegetables.)

- Ordering at a restaurant (formal):

- Waiter: ¿Qué va a comer usted? (What are you going to eat?)

- Diner: Yo como la sopa. (I'll eat the soup.) - Yo is used here for emphasis, distinguishing from others.

Contrast With Similar Patterns

Comparing comer with other verb types helps you identify its unique characteristics and avoid common errors. Spanish verbs are categorized by their infinitive endings: -AR, -ER, and -IR.
  • Vs. Regular -AR Verbs (e.g., hablar - to speak):
  • The most significant distinction lies in the thematic vowel of their endings. -AR verbs consistently use the vowel a in most of their present tense conjugations (e.g., hablas, habla, hablamos).
  • In contrast, regular -ER verbs like comer primarily use the vowel e (e.g., comes, come, comemos).
  • The yo form for both categories, however, ends in -o (hablo, como). This -o ending is a universal marker for the first-person singular in the present tense of all regular Spanish verbs.
  • Example: Tú hablas rápido. (You speak fast.) vs. Tú comes lento. (You eat slowly.)
  • Vs. Regular -IR Verbs (e.g., vivir - to live):
  • Regular -ER and -IR verbs are considered "cousins" due to their high degree of similarity in present tense conjugation. They share the same endings for yo (-o), tú (-es), él/ella/usted (-e), and ellos/ellas/ustedes (-en).
  • The key differences appear in the nosotros/nosotras and vosotros/vosotras forms.
  • For -ER verbs: nosotros comemos, vosotros coméis.
  • For -IR verbs: nosotros vivimos, vosotros vivís.
  • Notice that the thematic vowel in the nosotros and vosotros forms matches the infinitive vowel for each verb type (e for -ER, i for -IR). This is the primary point of divergence.
  • Example: Nosotros comemos pizza. (We eat pizza.) vs. Nosotros vivimos en Madrid. (We live in Madrid.)
  • Vs. Irregular Verbs:
  • Comer is a regular verb, meaning its stem (com-) does not change, and it follows the standard -ER endings. This predictability is a valuable characteristic.
  • Many other verbs, even those ending in -ER, are irregular. This means their stem might change (e.g., poder → puedo), or their endings might deviate from the standard pattern (e.g., hacer → hago).
  • Understanding regular verbs like comer establishes a baseline. When you encounter an irregular verb, you can immediately identify its deviation from this predictable pattern, which aids in memorization.

Progressive Practice

1

Effective practice for comer moves beyond passive memorization to active application in varied contexts. Incorporate these strategies to internalize its usage.

2

- Flashcards with example sentences: Create flashcards for each conjugation (e.g., yo como on one side, Yo como tostadas en el desayuno. on the other).

3

- Sentence completion exercises: Practice filling in the blanks with the correct form of comer. Example: Ella ____ una manzana. (Answer: come).

4

- Role-playing scenarios: Practice ordering food, discussing meal plans, or talking about daily eating habits. Focus on natural responses and varying subject pronouns.

5

- Writing journal entries: Describe your daily meals, what you like to eat, or what you ate yesterday (using present tense for habitual actions). Example: Por la mañana, siempre como fruta. (In the morning, I always eat fruit.)

6

- Listen and repeat: Find audio examples of native speakers using comer. Mimic their pronunciation and intonation. Pay attention to when subject pronouns are omitted.

7

- Translate simple sentences: Translate short English sentences using "eat" into Spanish, focusing on correct conjugation and pronoun usage.

Quick FAQ

Here are answers to some common questions learners ask about comer and related concepts.
  • Q: Can comer be used for all meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)?
  • A: Yes, comer is the general verb for "to eat." However, Spanish also has specific verbs for meals: desayunar (to have breakfast), almorzar (to have lunch), and cenar (to have dinner). You'll hear these frequently. In Spain, comer as a noun (la comida) specifically refers to the main mid-day meal.
  • Q: Why does usted use the same verb form as él/ella?
  • A: Grammatically, usted (formal singular "you") and ustedes (formal plural "you all") are treated as third-person subjects. Therefore, they take the same verb conjugations as él/ella and ellos/ellas, respectively. Think of usted as a respectful way of referring _to_ someone, rather than directly _as_ them in the second person.
  • Q: What's the difference between comer and comerse?
  • A: Adding the reflexive pronoun se to comer (forming comerse) often implies eating the _entire_ amount, eating it _greedily_, or consuming it completely. Me como la pizza entera. (I'll eat the whole pizza myself.) suggests a more complete and often enthusiastic consumption than Como pizza. (I eat pizza.).
  • Q: How do you say "to eat out" in Spanish?
  • A: The most common phrase is comer fuera (literally to eat outside). For example, Hoy comemos fuera. (Today we eat out.).
  • Q: Is "I am eating" always Estoy comiendo?
  • A: While estar + gerund (estar comiendo) is the direct translation of the English progressive, the simple present Como is often used in Spanish to express an action happening right now, especially in response to a direct question about what you are doing. ¿Qué haces? Como. (What are you doing? I'm eating.). Use estar comiendo when you want to emphasize the _ongoing nature_ of the action.

Conjugation of 'Comer' (to eat)

Pronoun Ending Verb Form
Yo
-o
como
Tú
-es
comes
Él/Ella/Usted
-e
come
Nosotros
-emos
comemos
Vosotros
-éis
coméis
Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes
-en
comen

Meanings

The present indicative of -ER verbs describes actions happening now, habitual actions, or general truths.

1

Habitual Action

Actions performed regularly.

“Yo leo el periódico.”

“Tú bebes café.”

2

General Truth

Facts that are always true.

“El perro come carne.”

“Los niños aprenden rápido.”

3

Immediate Present

Actions occurring at the moment of speaking.

“¿Qué comes?”

“Yo no bebo alcohol.”

Reference Table

Reference table for Spanish -ER Verbs: How to use 'Comer' (to eat)
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Subject + Verb
Yo como.
Negative
No + Verb
Yo no como.
Interrogative
¿Verb + Subject?
¿Comes tú?
Short Answer
Sí/No + Verb
Sí, como.
Plural
Subject + Verb
Ellos comen.
Formal
Usted + Verb
Usted come.

Formality Spectrum

Formal
Estoy ingiriendo alimentos.

Estoy ingiriendo alimentos. (Dining)

Neutral
Yo como.

Yo como. (Dining)

Informal
Estoy comiendo.

Estoy comiendo. (Dining)

Slang
Estoy papeando.

Estoy papeando. (Dining)

The -ER Verb Anatomy

Comer

Stem

  • Com- Root

Ending

  • -er Suffix
Sign up free to read full explanation

Examples by Level

1

Yo como pan.

I eat bread.

2

Tú lees mucho.

You read a lot.

3

Él bebe agua.

He drinks water.

4

Nosotros comemos pizza.

We eat pizza.

1

¿Qué comes tú?

What do you eat?

2

Ellos no venden coches.

They don't sell cars.

3

Vosotros comprendéis la lección.

You (plural) understand the lesson.

4

Ella corre cada día.

She runs every day.

1

No comprendo por qué ellos no responden.

I don't understand why they don't respond.

2

Ustedes deben estudiar más.

You (plural) must study more.

3

El libro que lees es muy interesante.

The book you are reading is very interesting.

4

Nosotros bebemos café mientras trabajamos.

We drink coffee while we work.

1

Es fundamental que comprendas el contexto.

It is fundamental that you understand the context.

2

Ellos prometen que terminarán a tiempo.

They promise they will finish on time.

3

No creo que ellos vendan ese producto.

I don't think they sell that product.

4

Aunque corres rápido, no ganarás.

Even though you run fast, you won't win.

1

La empresa pretende que sus empleados respondan con celeridad.

The company expects its employees to respond quickly.

2

Si lees entre líneas, comprenderás la ironía.

If you read between the lines, you will understand the irony.

3

Ellos no temen los desafíos que enfrentan.

They do not fear the challenges they face.

4

Es un hecho que ellos poseen la verdad.

It is a fact that they possess the truth.

1

El autor describe cómo ellos se corrompen en la ciudad.

The author describes how they become corrupted in the city.

2

No obstante, ellos no ceden ante la presión.

However, they do not yield to the pressure.

3

La historia que ellos tejen es fascinante.

The story they weave is fascinating.

4

Ellos se abstienen de participar en la votación.

They abstain from participating in the vote.

Easily Confused

Spanish -ER Verbs: How to use 'Comer' (to eat) vs -AR vs -ER verbs

Learners mix up the thematic vowels.

Spanish -ER Verbs: How to use 'Comer' (to eat) vs Vosotros vs Ustedes

Learners don't know which to use.

Spanish -ER Verbs: How to use 'Comer' (to eat) vs Subject Pronoun Omission

Learners always include 'yo'.

Common Mistakes

✗

Yo comoa

✓

Yo como

Added an extra 'a' from -AR verbs.
✗

Tú comas

✓

Tú comes

Used -AR ending.
✗

Él com

✓

Él come

Forgot the ending.
✗

Nosotros comamos

✓

Nosotros comemos

Used -AR ending.
✗

Ellos coman

✓

Ellos comen

Used -AR ending.
✗

Vosotros comáis

✓

Vosotros coméis

Used -AR ending.
✗

Yo no como nada

✓

Yo no como

Double negative confusion.
✗

Yo bebo agua y como

✓

Yo bebo agua y como pan

Incomplete sentence structure.
✗

Él responde rápido

✓

Él responde rápidamente

Adverb vs adjective confusion.
✗

Nosotros comprendemos la

✓

Nosotros la comprendemos

Object pronoun placement.
✗

Ellos pretenden que responden

✓

Ellos pretenden que respondan

Subjunctive mood required.
✗

Es importante que ellos leen

✓

Es importante que ellos lean

Subjunctive mood required.
✗

Ellos se abstienen participar

✓

Ellos se abstienen de participar

Missing preposition.

Sentence Patterns

Yo ___ ___.

Tú ___ ___?

Nosotros ___ ___ todos los días.

Ellos no ___ ___.

Real World Usage

Ordering food constant

Yo como pollo.

Texting very common

¿Qué lees?

Job interview common

Comprendo el puesto.

Travel common

Bebo agua.

Social media very common

Ellos venden esto.

Food delivery app common

Comemos pizza.

Sign up free to see all examples
💡

Focus on the Vowel

Remember that -ER verbs use 'e' in their endings. This helps you distinguish them from -AR verbs.
⚠️

Watch the Vosotros

If you are learning for Latin America, you can skip the 'vosotros' form, but be aware of it for reading.
🎯

Narrate Your Day

Saying 'Yo como' while eating helps anchor the grammar in reality.
💬

Regional Differences

Be aware that 'ustedes' is used for both formal and informal plural in Latin America.

Smart Tips

Think of the 'e' vowel.

Yo como (correct) vs Yo coma (wrong) → Yo como (correct)

Omit the pronoun for better flow.

Yo como, yo bebo. → Como y bebo.

Focus on the ending sound.

Yo come. → Yo como.

Identify the infinitive first.

Comen -> ? (confused) → Comen -> Comer (to eat) -> They eat.

Pronunciation

/e/

Vowel Clarity

Ensure the 'e' in -ER endings is crisp and not swallowed.

Question Intonation

¿Comes? ↗

Rising pitch at the end indicates a question.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Remember the 'E' for 'ER': 'O-Es-E-Emos-Éis-En'. It sounds like a rhythmic chant.

Visual Association

Imagine a giant 'E' shaped cookie. Every time you eat (comer) a piece, you change the ending of the cookie.

Rhyme

Drop the ER, add the O, now you're ready, set, and go!

Story

Juan is hungry. He sees a menu. He says 'Yo como pizza'. His friend says 'Tú comes pasta'. They both eat together: 'Nosotros comemos mucho'.

Word Web

ComerBeberLeerVenderComprenderCorrer

Challenge

Write down 5 sentences using different -ER verbs in 5 minutes.

Cultural Notes

The 'vosotros' form is standard in daily life.

The 'vosotros' form is rarely used; 'ustedes' is preferred.

Voseo is common, but -ER verbs remain standard.

Spanish -ER verbs derive from the Latin second conjugation (-ere).

Conversation Starters

“

¿Qué comes normalmente?

“

¿Lees muchos libros?

“

¿Comprendes la cultura española?

“

¿Qué opinas de los que venden productos falsos?

Journal Prompts

Describe your breakfast.
What do you read in your free time?
How do you understand success?
Discuss the ethics of selling data.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Sign up free to see all tips

Test Yourself

Fill in the blank.

Yo ___ (comer) pan.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: como
Yo uses the -o ending.
Choose the correct form. Multiple Choice

Tú ___ (leer) un libro.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: lees
Tú uses the -es ending.
Correct the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Nosotros comes pizza.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Nosotros comemos pizza
Nosotros uses -emos.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

Arrange the words in the correct order:

All words placed

Click words above to build the sentence

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Yo como pan
Subject-Verb-Object order.
Translate to Spanish. Translation

They drink water.

Answer starts with: Ell...

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ellos beben agua
Ellos uses -en.
Conjugate 'vender' for 'ustedes'. Conjugation Drill

Ustedes ___ (vender) coches.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: venden
Ustedes uses -en.
Match the pronoun to the ending. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: -o
Yo always takes -o.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: ¿Qué comes? B: Yo ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: como pizza
Yo requires -o.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the blank.

Yo ___ (comer) pan.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: como
Yo uses the -o ending.
Choose the correct form. Multiple Choice

Tú ___ (leer) un libro.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: lees
Tú uses the -es ending.
Correct the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Nosotros comes pizza.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Nosotros comemos pizza
Nosotros uses -emos.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

pan / como / yo

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Yo como pan
Subject-Verb-Object order.
Translate to Spanish. Translation

They drink water.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ellos beben agua
Ellos uses -en.
Conjugate 'vender' for 'ustedes'. Conjugation Drill

Ustedes ___ (vender) coches.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: venden
Ustedes uses -en.
Match the pronoun to the ending. Match Pairs

Yo -> ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: -o
Yo always takes -o.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: ¿Qué comes? B: Yo ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: como pizza
Yo requires -o.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

10 exercises
Complete the sentence Fill in the Blank

Tú ___ muy rápido.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: comes
Translate to Spanish Translation

She eats at home.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ella come en casa.
Put the words in the correct order Sentence Reorder

tacos / nosotros / siempre / comemos

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Nosotros siempre comemos tacos.
Select the correct formal version Multiple Choice

How do you say 'You (formal) eat'?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Usted come
Match the pronoun to the verb form Match Pairs

Match them up:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Yo-como
Fix the Spanish-only error Error Correction

Vosotros comen paella.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Vosotros coméis paella.
Netflix context Fill in the Blank

Mis amigos ___ pizza mientras ven Netflix.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: comen
Choose the best answer Multiple Choice

¿Qué ___ tú en el desayuno?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: comes
Translate 'We don't eat meat' Translation

We don't eat meat.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: No comemos carne.
Complete the dialogue Fill in the Blank

—¿Ustedes ___ aquí? —Sí, siempre.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: comen

Score: /10

FAQ (8)

'Comer' is the infinitive form (to eat). 'Como' is the conjugated form (I eat).

Most do, but some have irregular 'yo' forms or stem changes.

Use it for plural 'you' in Latin America.

Only if you are in Spain or studying Peninsular Spanish.

Check your vowel. -ER verbs use 'e'.

The thematic vowel is 'e' instead of 'a'.

Yes, 'Como' is perfectly fine for 'I eat'.

It is required for the 'vosotros' form.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

Sign up free to practice

In Other Languages

French high

-re verbs

French has more silent letters.

German moderate

Weak verbs

German word order is more rigid.

Japanese low

Ichidan verbs

Japanese lacks person-based conjugation.

Arabic low

Root-based system

Arabic is non-concatenative.

Chinese none

No conjugation

Chinese uses particles for tense.

Spanish high

Regular -ER

None.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
Present Tense -AR Verbs: Speaking (Hablar)
Next
Spanish IR Verbs: How to Use 'Vivir' (to live)

Learn These First

A1 Requires

Spanish Subject Pronouns: I, You, He, She (Yo, Tú, Él...)

Overview Spanish subject pronouns, such as `yo` (I), `tú` (you), and `él` (he), function to explicitly identify the noun...

Continue With

A1 Requires

Stem-Changing Verbs: o → ue (poder, dormir)

Overview Ever feel like Spanish is trying to trick you by changing letters mid-sentence? Imagine you are texting a frie...

Related Grammar Rules

A2

Going Places: The Verb 'Ir' (Present Tense)

Ever tried to tell a Spanish friend you’re heading to their party, only to realize the verb for 'to go' looks nothing li...
A1

Telling Time in Spanish (¿Qué hora es?)

Overview In Spanish, telling time is not merely a transactional exchange of numbers; it's an act of grammatical definit...
C1

Vivid Storytelling: The Historical Present (Presente Histórico)

Overview In Spanish grammar, the **presente histórico** (historical present), also known as the **presente narrativo**,...
A1

Ser vs Estar: Choosing the Right 'To Be'

Overview Mastering the Spanish verbs `ser` and `estar` is a foundational step toward fluency, distinguishing you from a...
C1

Spanish Future vs. Gradual Progress (ir a vs. ir + gerundio)

Overview In Spanish, the distinction between planning an action and describing its gradual unfolding is captured by two...
Was this helpful?

Comments (0)

Login to Comment
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!