ER verbs are the second most common type of regular verbs in Brazilian Portuguese. They follow a consistent pattern in the present tense, making them relatively straightforward to learn and use.
Conjugation Pattern
To conjugate an ER verb in the present tense:
- Remove the -er ending from the infinitive
- Add the appropriate ending based on the subject
Here are the endings for ER verbs in Brazilian Portuguese:
- Eu: -o
- Você: -e
- Ele/Ela: -e
- A gente: -e
- Nós: -emos
- Eles/Elas/Vocês: -em
Example: Comer (to eat)
Let’s conjugate the verb “comer” (to eat) as an example:
- Eu como (I eat)
- Você come (You eat)
- Ele/Ela come (He/She eats)
- A gente come (We eat – informal)
- Nós comemos (We eat)
- Eles/Elas/Vocês comem (They eat, You all eat)
More Examples
Here are a few more ER verbs conjugated in the present tense:
- Beber (to drink)
- Eu bebo
- Você bebe
- Ele/Ela bebe
- A gente bebe
- Nós bebemos
- Eles/Elas/Vocês bebem
- Vender (to sell)
- Eu vendo
- Você vende
- Ele/Ela vende
- A gente vende
- Nós vendemos
- Eles/Elas/Vocês vendem
- Aprender (to learn)
- Eu aprendo
- Você aprende
- Ele/Ela aprende
- A gente aprende
- Nós aprendemos
- Eles/Elas/Vocês aprendem
Note on Usage
“A gente” is often used in place of “nós” in informal speech. It uses the third person singular conjugation (the same as ele/ela).
By mastering the conjugation of ER verbs, you’ll be able to express a wide range of actions and states in the present tense in Brazilian Portuguese.
Next: Conjugations: ER Verbs in European Portuguese Present Tense