Conjugations: ER Verbs in Brazilian Portuguese Present Tense

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:

  1. Remove the -er ending from the infinitive
  2. 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:

  1. Beber (to drink)
  • Eu bebo
  • Você bebe
  • Ele/Ela bebe
  • A gente bebe
  • Nós bebemos
  • Eles/Elas/Vocês bebem
  1. Vender (to sell)
  • Eu vendo
  • Você vende
  • Ele/Ela vende
  • A gente vende
  • Nós vendemos
  • Eles/Elas/Vocês vendem
  1. 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

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