Spanish Grammar Test: Past Tense

Past Tense of Irregular Verbs

ir (to go)

NOTE: The verbs ir and ser are both irregular in the past tense. Additionally, both verbs have exactly the same form in this tense.

ser (to be)

caer (to fall down)

NOTE: Caer is generally used in reflexive form (caerse) to describe the actual, physical act of falling.

Juan se cayó de la escalera.

Las hojas se cayeron de los árboles.

When used in a figurative sense, caer is usually non-reflexive.

Juan cayó en la trampa.

Ellos cayeron enfermos ayer.

These, however, are general tendencies. To the confusion of students, exceptions to both usages may be frequently found in the everyday language.

ver (to see)

hacer (to make, do)

poner (to put)

saber (to know)

Note: In the past tense, the verb saber, which usually has the meaning to know, has the additional meaning in Spanish of to find out or to learn.

traer (to bring)

dar (to give)

decir (to say)

oír (to hear)

venir (to come)

querer (to want)

poder (to be able to)

estar (to be)

tener (to have)

leer (to read)

andar (to walk)