Mastering Spanish Go Verbs: A Comprehensive Guide

Spanish “go verbs” are verbs that have an irregular yo (I) form in the present tense. Understanding these verbs is crucial for speaking Spanish fluently and accurately. They’re a common source of errors for learners, but mastering them unlocks a higher level of conversational ability. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of go verbs, their conjugations, usage rules, and common pitfalls. Whether you’re a beginner or an intermediate Spanish learner, this article will equip you with the knowledge and practice you need to confidently use go verbs. By the end of this guide, you’ll be able to identify, conjugate, and use go verbs correctly in various contexts.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Definition of Go Verbs
• Structural Breakdown
• Types and Categories of Go Verbs
  • Pure Go Verbs
  • Go Verbs with Stem Changes
  • Other Irregular Yo Forms
• Examples of Go Verbs
  • Pure Go Verb Examples
  • Go Verb with Stem-Changing Examples
  • Other Irregular Yo Form Examples
• Usage Rules
  • General Conjugation Rules
  • Exceptions to the Rules
  • Special Cases
• Common Mistakes
• Practice Exercises
  • Exercise 1: Conjugation Practice
  • Exercise 2: Sentence Completion
  • Exercise 3: Translation
• Advanced Topics
  • Go Verbs in the Subjunctive Mood
  • Go Verbs in the Imperative Mood
• FAQ
• Conclusion

Definition of Go Verbs

In Spanish grammar, “go verbs” are verbs that exhibit a unique irregularity in their yo (I) form in the present indicative tense. This irregularity involves adding a “g” to the end of the stem in the first-person singular conjugation. While the yo form is irregular, the other conjugations (tú, él/ella/usted, nosotros/nosotras, vosotros/vosotras, ellos/ellas/ustedes) typically follow regular conjugation patterns for -ar, -er, and -ir verbs. It’s important to note that not all verbs ending in -er or -ir become “go verbs.” The irregularity is specific to the yo form.

The function of “go verbs” is purely grammatical. The addition of the “g” doesn’t change the meaning of the verb; it simply indicates the first-person singular form in the present tense.

This irregularity is a historical artifact of the evolution of the Spanish language. Recognizing and correctly conjugating “go verbs” is crucial for accurate communication in Spanish.

Failing to do so can lead to grammatically incorrect sentences and potential misunderstandings.

The context in which “go verbs” are used is the same as any other verb in the present indicative tense. They are used to describe actions, states, or conditions that are happening in the present. They can be used in simple sentences, complex sentences, and in a variety of different conversational contexts. The key is to remember the irregular yo form when speaking or writing in the first person.

Structural Breakdown

The structural change in “go verbs” is quite simple: the addition of the letter “g” to the stem of the verb in the yo form. Let’s break down the process:

1. Identify the verb: Determine the infinitive form of the verb (e.g., tener, hacer, salir).
2. Find the stem: Remove the infinitive ending (-ar, -er, or -ir) to find the verb stem (e.g., ten-, hac-, sal-).
3. Add “go” to the stem: In the yo form, add “go” to the stem (e.g., tengo, hago, salgo).
4. Conjugate the other forms regularly: The other forms (tú, él/ella/usted, nosotros/nosotras, vosotros/vosotras, ellos/ellas/ustedes) are typically conjugated according to the regular -ar, -er, or -ir verb conjugation rules.

For example, let’s take the verb poner (to put):

• Infinitive: poner
• Stem: pon-
• Yo form: pongo
• Full conjugation: yo pongo, tú pones, él/ella/usted pone, nosotros/nosotras ponemos, vosotros/vosotras ponéis, ellos/ellas/ustedes ponen

This basic structure applies to most “go verbs.” However, some verbs may have additional irregularities beyond the “go” formation. These will be covered in later sections.

Types and Categories of Go Verbs

Go verbs can be categorized into a few different types based on their behavior and additional irregularities:

Pure Go Verbs

These verbs only have the “go” irregularity in the yo form. The other conjugations are regular. Examples include hacer (to do/make), poner (to put), salir (to leave/go out), traer (to bring), and caer (to fall).

Go Verbs with Stem Changes

These verbs have both the “go” irregularity in the yo form *and* a stem change in other forms. The stem change usually occurs in all forms except the nosotros and vosotros forms. Common stem changes include e → ie, o → ue, and e → i. Examples include tener (to have), venir (to come), decir (to say/tell), and oír (to hear).

Other Irregular Yo Forms

While not strictly “go verbs,” there are other verbs with irregular yo forms in the present tense. These verbs may have other irregularities as well. Examples include saber (to know), ver (to see), and dar (to give). These are often grouped with go verbs due to the irregularity in the yo form.

Examples of Go Verbs

Here are some examples of “go verbs” categorized by type, with full conjugations in the present tense. Understanding how these verbs are conjugated is key to mastering their usage.

Pure Go Verb Examples

The following table provides examples of pure go verbs, demonstrating their conjugation in the present tense. Note the regular conjugation patterns for all forms except the *yo* form.

Verb (Infinitive)	Yo	Tú	Él/Ella/Usted	Nosotros/Nosotras	Vosotros/Vosotras	Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes
Hacer (to do/make)	Hago	Haces	Hace	Hacemos	Hacéis	Hacen
Poner (to put)	Pongo	Pones	Pone	Ponemos	Ponéis	Ponen
Salir (to leave/go out)	Salgo	Sales	Sale	Salimos	Salís	Salen
Traer (to bring)	Traigo	Traes	Trae	Traemos	Traéis	Traen
Caer (to fall)	Caigo	Caes	Cae	Caemos	Caéis	Caen
Oír (to hear)	Oigo	Oyes	Oye	Oímos	Oís	Oyen
Valer (to be worth)	Valgo	Vales	Vale	Valemos	Valéis	Valen
Distinguir (to distinguish)	Distingo	Distingues	Distingue	Distinguimos	Distingís	Distinguen
Seguir (to follow)	Sigo	Sigues	Sigue	Seguimos	Seguís	Siguen
Conseguir (to get/obtain)	Consigo	Consigues	Consigue	Conseguimos	Conseguís	Consiguen
Perseguir (to pursue)	Persigo	Persigues	Persigue	Perseguimos	Perseguís	Persiguen
Sostener (to support)	Sostengo	Sostienes	Sostiene	Sostenemos	Sostenéis	Sostienen
Mantener (to maintain)	Mantengo	Mantienes	Mantiene	Mantenemos	Mantenéis	Mantienen
Proponer (to propose)	Propongo	Propones	Propone	Proponemos	Proponéis	Proponen
Suponer (to suppose)	Supongo	Supones	Supone	Suponemos	Suponéis	Suponen
Atraer (to attract)	Atraigo	Atraes	Atrae	Atraemos	Atraéis	Atraen
Contraer (to contract)	Contraigo	Contraes	Contrae	Contraemos	Contraéis	Contraen
Detener (to detain)	Detengo	Detienes	Detiene	Detenemos	Detenéis	Detienen
Obtener (to obtain)	Obtengo	Obtienes	Obtiene	Obtenemos	Obtenéis	Obtienen
Componer (to compose)	Compongo	Compones	Compone	Componemos	Componéis	Componen

These verbs, while following the basic “go” rule, illustrate the diversity within this category. They are used in many common expressions and situations.

Go Verb with Stem-Changing Examples

These verbs combine the “go” irregularity with stem changes. The stem change typically occurs in all forms except the nosotros and vosotros forms. Here’s a table showcasing some common examples:

Verb (Infinitive)	Yo	Tú	Él/Ella/Usted	Nosotros/Nosotras	Vosotros/Vosotras	Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes	Stem Change
Tener (to have)	Tengo	Tienes	Tiene	Tenemos	Tenéis	Tienen	e → ie
Venir (to come)	Vengo	Vienes	Viene	Venimos	Venís	Vienen	e → ie
Decir (to say/tell)	Digo	Dices	Dice	Decimos	Decís	Dicen	e → i
Preferir (to prefer)	Prefiero	Prefieres	Prefiere	Preferimos	Preferís	Prefieren	e → ie
Empezar (to begin)	Empiezo	Empiezas	Empieza	Empezamos	Empezáis	Empiezan	e → ie
Querer (to want)	Quiero	Quieres	Quiere	Queremos	Queréis	Quieren	e → ie
Mentir (to lie)	Miento	Mientes	Miente	Mentimos	Mentís	Mienten	e → ie
Dormir (to sleep)	Duermo	Duermes	Duerme	Dormimos	Dormís	Duermen	o → ue
Recordar (to remember)	Recuerdo	Recuerdas	Recuerda	Recordamos	Recordáis	Recuerdan	o → ue
Volver (to return)	Vuelvo	Vuelves	Vuelve	Volvemos	Volvéis	Vuelven	o → ue
Mostrar (to show)	Muestro	Muestras	Muestra	Mostramos	Mostráis	Muestran	o → ue
Contar (to count/tell)	Cuento	Cuentas	Cuenta	Contamos	Contáis	Cuentan	o → ue
Encontrar (to find)	Encuentro	Encuentras	Encuentra	Encontramos	Encontráis	Encuentran	o → ue
Servir (to serve)	Sirvo	Sirves	Sirve	Servimos	Servís	Sirven	e → i
Pedir (to ask for)	Pido	Pides	Pide	Pedimos	Pedís	Piden	e → i
Competir (to compete)	Compito	Compites	Compite	Competimos	Competís	Compiten	e → i
Vestir (to dress)	Visto	Vistes	Viste	Vestimos	Vestís	Visten	e → i
Medir (to measure)	Mido	Mides	Mide	Medimos	Medís	Miden	e → i
Repetir (to repeat)	Repito	Repites	Repite	Repetimos	Repetís	Repiten	e → i
Seguir (to follow)	Sigo	Sigues	Sigue	Seguimos	Seguís	Siguen	e → i

Mastering these verbs requires understanding both the “go” irregularity and the stem change patterns. Pay close attention to which forms undergo the stem change.

Other Irregular Yo Form Examples

These verbs have irregular yo forms that don’t necessarily involve adding “go,” but are still important to learn. These verbs often have other irregularities as well.

Verb (Infinitive)	Yo	Tú	Él/Ella/Usted	Nosotros/Nosotras	Vosotros/Vosotras	Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes
Saber (to know)	Sé	Sabes	Sabe	Sabemos	Sabéis	Saben
Ver (to see)	Veo	Ves	Ve	Vemos	Veis	Ven
Dar (to give)	Doy	Das	Da	Damos	Dais	Dan
Estar (to be)	Estoy	Estás	Está	Estamos	Estáis	Están
Caber (to fit)	Quepo	Cabes	Cabe	Cabemos	Cabéis	Caben
Conocer (to know/be acquainted with)	Conozco	Conoces	Conoce	Conocemos	Conocéis	Conocen
Agradecer (to thank)	Agradezco	Agradeces	Agradece	Agradecemos	Agradecéis	Agradecen
Ofrecer (to offer)	Ofrezco	Ofreces	Ofrece	Ofrecemos	Ofrecéis	Ofrecen
Producir (to produce)	Produzco	Produces	Produce	Producimos	Producís	Producen
Traducir (to translate)	Traduzco	Traduces	Traduce	Traducimos	Traducís	Traducen
Reconocer (to recognize)	Reconozco	Reconoces	Reconoce	Reconocemos	Reconocéis	Reconocen
Merecer (to deserve)	Merezco	Mereces	Merece	Merecemos	Merecéis	Merecen
Parecer (to seem)	Parezco	Pareces	Parece	Parecemos	Parecéis	Parecen
Nacer (to be born)	Nazco	Naces	Nace	Nacemos	Nacéis	Nacen
Permanecer (to remain)	Permanezco	Permaneces	Permanece	Permanecemos	Permanecéis	Permanecen
Desaparecer (to disappear)	Desaparezco	Desapareces	Desaparece	Desaparecemos	Desaparecéis	Desaparecen
Crecer (to grow)	Crezco	Creces	Crece	Crecemos	Crecéis	Crecen
Reducir (to reduce)	Reduzco	Reduces	Reduce	Reducimos	Reducís	Reducen
Dirigir (to direct)	Dirijo	Diriges	Dirige	Dirigimos	Dirigís	Dirigen
Escoger (to choose)	Escojo	Escoges	Escoge	Escogemos	Escogéis	Escogen

These irregular yo forms are essential for building a strong foundation in Spanish verb conjugation. Practice them frequently to improve fluency.

Usage Rules

Understanding the usage rules for “go verbs” is essential for accurate and fluent Spanish communication. While the core rule is simple (adding “g” to the yo form), there are nuances and considerations.

General Conjugation Rules

The primary rule is to add “g” to the stem of the verb in the yo form in the present indicative tense. The other forms are generally conjugated regularly, following the standard -ar, -er, and -ir verb conjugation patterns. Remember to consider stem changes in verbs that exhibit them.

For example, with the verb tener (to have):

• Yo tengo (I have) – irregular yo form
• Tú tienes (You have) – stem change (e → ie)
• Él/Ella/Usted tiene (He/She/You have) – stem change (e → ie)
• Nosotros/Nosotras tenemos (We have) – regular form
• Vosotros/Vosotras tenéis (You all have) – regular form
• Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes tienen (They/You all have) – stem change (e → ie)

Exceptions to the Rules

Not all verbs that might seem like “go verbs” follow the rule. Some verbs have completely irregular yo forms, as seen with saber (to know) – yo sé. These exceptions must be memorized individually.

Additionally, some verbs that end in -cer or -cir change the “c” to “zc” in the yo form (e.g., conocer → conozco). This is a common pattern for these types of verbs.

Special Cases

Reflexive verbs can also be “go verbs.” In these cases, the reflexive pronoun precedes the verb (e.g., Yo me caigo – I fall down). The “go” irregularity still applies to the verb conjugation.

Some verbs that take prepositions require careful attention. For example, salir con (to go out with) or salir de (to leave from). The “go” irregularity applies to the verb salir regardless of the preposition that follows.

Common Mistakes

Many learners make common mistakes when using “go verbs.” Here are some frequent errors and how to correct them:

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
Yo teno	Yo tengo	Incorrectly omitting the “g” in the yo form of tener.
Yo haces	Yo hago	Incorrectly conjugating the yo form of hacer.
Tú tengo	Tú tienes	Using the irregular yo form for the tú form of tener, and missing the stem change.
Nosotros venimos (when stem change is needed)	Nosotros venimos (correct)	Forgetting that stem-changing verbs DO NOT change the stem in the nosotros and vosotros forms.
Yo séo	Yo sé	Incorrectly applying the “go” rule to the verb saber, which has a completely irregular yo form.
Yo salo	Yo salgo	Incorrectly omitting the “g” in the yo form of salir.
Yo dice	Yo digo	Incorrectly conjugating the yo form of decir.
Ella tiene hambre. Yo también tengo.	Ella tiene hambre. Yo también tengo.	The sentence is already correct.
Yo quiero que tú vayas.	Yo quiero que tú vayas.	The sentence is already correct.
Nosotros podemos ir al cine.	Nosotros podemos ir al cine.	The sentence is already correct.

By being aware of these common mistakes, you can avoid them in your own Spanish speaking and writing.

Practice Exercises

Practice is key to mastering “go verbs.” Here are some exercises to help you reinforce your understanding:

Exercise 1: Conjugation Practice

Conjugate the following verbs in the present tense:

Verb	Yo	Tú	Él/Ella/Usted	Nosotros/Nosotras	Vosotros/Vosotras	Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes
Hacer
Tener
Salir
Venir
Poner
Decir
Traer
	Oír
Conocer
Ver

Answers:

Verb	Yo	Tú	Él/Ella/Usted	Nosotros/Nosotras	Vosotros/Vosotras	Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes
Hacer	Hago	Haces	Hace	Hacemos	Hacéis	Hacen
Tener	Tengo	Tienes	Tiene	Tenemos	Tenéis	Tienen
Salir	Salgo	Sales	Sale	Salimos	Salís	Salen
Venir	Vengo	Vienes	Viene	Venimos	Venís	Vienen
Poner	Pongo	Pones	Pone	Ponemos	Ponéis	Ponen
Decir	Digo	Dices	Dice	Decimos	Decís	Dicen
Traer	Traigo	Traes	Trae	Traemos	Traéis	Traen
Oír	Oigo	Oyes	Oye	Oímos	Oís	Oyen
Conocer	Conozco	Conoces	Conoce	Conocemos	Conocéis	Conocen
Ver	Veo	Ves	Ve	Vemos	Veis	Ven

Exercise 2: Sentence Completion

Complete the following sentences with the correct form of the verb in parentheses:

1. Yo ________ (hacer) la tarea todos los días.
2. ¿Tú ________ (tener) hermanos?
3. Él ________ (salir) con sus amigos los fines de semana.
4. Nosotros ________ (venir) a la fiesta a las 8.
5. Yo ________ (poner) la mesa para la cena.
6. Ella ________ (decir) la verdad.
7. Yo ________ (traer) el postre a la fiesta.
8. Yo ________ (oír) música todos los días.
9. Yo ________ (conocer) a tu hermana.
10. Yo ________ (ver) una película en el cine.

Answers:

1. Yo hago la tarea todos los días.
2. ¿Tú tienes hermanos?
3. Él sale con sus amigos los fines de semana.
4. Nosotros venimos a la fiesta a las 8.
5. Yo pongo la mesa para la cena.
6. Ella dice la verdad.
7. Yo traigo el postre a la fiesta.
8. Yo oigo música todos los días.
9. Yo conozco a tu hermana.
10. Yo veo una película en el cine.

Exercise 3: Translation

Translate the following sentences into Spanish, using “go verbs” where appropriate:

1. I do my homework every day.
2. Do you have any siblings?
3. He goes out with his friends on the weekends.
4. We come to the party at 8.
5. I put the table for dinner.
6. She tells the truth.
7. I bring the dessert to the party.
8. I hear music every day.
9. I know your sister.
10. I see a movie in the cinema.

Answers:

1. Yo hago mi tarea todos los días.
2. ¿Tú tienes hermanos?
3. Él sale con sus amigos los fines de semana.
4. Nosotros venimos a la fiesta a las 8.
5. Yo pongo la mesa para la cena.
6. Ella dice la verdad.
7. Yo traigo el postre a la fiesta.
8. Yo oigo música todos los días.
9. Yo conozco a tu hermana.
10. Yo veo una película en el cine.

Advanced Topics

Once you’ve mastered the basics of “go verbs” in the present tense, you can explore their usage in more complex grammatical structures.

Go Verbs in the Subjunctive Mood

“Go verbs” maintain their irregularity in the subjunctive mood. The yo form irregularity influences the formation of all subjunctive forms. For example, tener becomes tenga in the yo form of the present subjunctive, and this stem (teng-) is used to form the other subjunctive conjugations.

Example:

• Es importante que yo haga la tarea. (It’s important that I do the homework.)
• Es necesario que tú tengas cuidado. (It’s necessary that you be careful.)
• Es posible que él venga mañana. (It’s possible that he comes tomorrow.)
• No creo que ella diga mentiras. (I don’t believe that she tells lies.)
• Es bueno que nosotros salgamos temprano. (It’s good that we leave early.)

Go Verbs in the Imperative Mood

In the imperative mood (commands), “go verbs” follow the standard imperative formation rules. The irregular yo form in the present tense doesn’t directly affect the imperative forms, except for the affirmative tú command of decir, which is di.

Examples:

• Haz la tarea. (Do the homework.) (tú command of hacer)
• Ten cuidado. (Be careful.) (tú command of tener)
• Sal de aquí. (Leave from here.) (tú command of salir)
• Ven aquí. (Come here.) (tú command of venir)
• Pon la mesa. (Set the table.) (tú command of poner)
• Di la verdad. (Tell the truth.) (tú command of decir)

The formal commands (usted, ustedes) and the nosotros command are derived from the subjunctive forms, so they will reflect the irregularity in the yo form.

FAQ

What is a “go verb” in Spanish?

A “go verb” is a verb that has an irregular yo (I) form in the present tense, typically involving the addition of “g” to the stem.

How do I conjugate “go verbs”?

Add “g” to the stem in the yo form. The other forms are generally regular, but watch out for stem changes.

Are all verbs ending in -er or -ir “go verbs”?

No, the “go” irregularity is specific to certain verbs and must be memorized.

Do stem-changing verbs also have “go” irregularities?

Yes, some verbs have both a “go” irregularity in the yo form and a stem change in other forms.

How do I use “go verbs” in the subjunctive mood?

The irregular yo form in the present tense influences the formation of all subjunctive forms.

Are there any exceptions to the “go verb” rule?

Yes, some verbs have completely irregular yo forms that don’t follow the “go” pattern.

Conclusion

Mastering “go verbs” is a significant step towards fluency in Spanish. By understanding the basic rule, recognizing the different types of “go verbs,” and practicing regularly, you can confidently use these verbs in a variety of contexts.

Don’t be discouraged by the irregularities; with persistence, you’ll be able to navigate these verbs with ease and improve your overall Spanish communication skills. Keep practicing, and you’ll soon find that “go verbs” become second nature!