In the previous lesson, you learned how to talk about past habits using -ar verbs. Now, let's look at regular -er and -ir verbs in the Pretérito Imperfeito (the Imperfect).
Regular -er and -ir verbs share the exact same endings in the imperfect tense. Drop the -er or -ir from the infinitive and add:
| Pronoun | Ending | Example (correr - to run) |
|---|
| eu | -ia | corria |
| tu | -ias | corrias |
| ele / ela / você | -ia | corria |
| nós | -íamos | corríamos |
| eles / elas / vocês | -iam | corriam |
Just like with -ar verbs, the nós form always requires an acute accent, this time on the í.
Verbs with Prepositions: Assistir a
The verb assistir means "to watch" or "to attend" when followed by the preposition a. Remember to combine a with definite articles when necessary (e.g., a + os = aos).
Everyday School Routines
This -ia pattern applies to many typical actions, such as writing (escrever) or understanding (compreender).
Reflexive Verbs with Prepositions: Esquecer-se de
The verb esquecer-se (to forget) is reflexive and requires the preposition de. Attach the reflexive pronoun to the verb with a hyphen, and combine de with the definite article of the forgotten object (e.g., de + o = do).
More -er and -ir Verbs in Action
Whether it's eating (comer), opening (abrir), or discussing (discutir), the -ia endings remain consistent across both verb groups.