A1Lesson 3: Present Indicative & Modal Verbs
Regular –IR verbs in the present indicative describe actions happening now or habitually, just like –AR and –ER verbs, but with their own ending pattern.
verb stem (remove -IR) + present tense ending (-o, -e, -imos, -em)
Remove -IR from infinitive to find the stem
Add endings: eu -o, você/ele/ela -e, nós -imos, vocês/eles/elas -em
Tu -es exists but rarely used in Brazil
A gente uses 3rd person singular (-e)
Smallest verb group but includes common everyday verbs
Only difference from -ER is "nós" form (-imos vs -emos)
Many -IR verbs relate to movement, decisions, and divisions
Some verbs like "dormir" have stem changes
Don't let the small size fool you – -IR verbs punch above their weight in daily Brazilian life! You can't leave anywhere without "partir" or "sair," can't open doors or apps without "abrir," can't share pizza without "dividir," and can't make choices without "decidir." These verbs show up in crucial moments: "Que horas você parte?" (What time are you leaving?), "Não consigo abrir o arquivo" (I can't open the file), or "Vamos dividir a conta?" (Shall we split the bill?).
Plus, mastering -IR verbs completes your understanding of all three Portuguese conjugation patterns, giving you the tools to handle any regular verb that comes your way. They're like the final piece of the conjugation puzzle!
Sign up to save your progress, practice exercises and unlock all grammar content.
The -IR conjugation is the fraternal twin of -ER conjugation – almost identical except for one crucial difference in the "nós" form. This similarity makes -IR verbs easy to learn if you already know -ER patterns.
Let's use PARTIR (to leave/depart) as our model:
Find the stem: PARTIR - IR = PART-
Add the appropriate ending:
part + o = parto (I leave)
TU → -ES (rarely used in Brazil)
"Eu abro a janela de manhã" (I open the window in the morning)
"Você divide apartamento?" (Do you share an apartment?)
"A que horas vocês partem?" (What time are you leaving?)
"Ela assiste Netflix todo dia" (She watches Netflix every day)
"Nós discutimos política no jantar" (We discuss politics at dinner)
"Eu ainda não decidi" (I haven't decided yet)
"A gente decide isso depois" (We'll decide this later)
"Vocês permitem pets?" (Do you allow pets?)
"Eles nunca desistem" (They never give up)
Remember these stem changes (o → u in eu form):
dormir: eu durmo
cobrir: eu cubro
descobrir: eu descubro
encobrir: eu encubro
tossir: eu tusso
Portuguese -IR verbs that work differently:
assistir = to watch/attend (Spanish: asistir = to attend only)
partir = to leave (Spanish: partir = to divide/leave)
Get full access to grammar lessons, exercises, vocabulary and personalized review with a free Falando account.