3.4 Present tense of tener and venir
Tener (to have)
Venir (to come) (de/a)
Forms and uses of two common
irregular present tense verbs
3.4 Present tense of tener and venir
ANTE TODO
 The verbs tener (to have) and venir (to come) are
among the most frequently used in Spanish.
 The verb “tener” uses the –er present tense
endings, and changes the stem like e to ie verbs.
However, it also has an irregular “yo” form.
 The verb “venir” uses the –ir present tense endings,
and changes the stem like e to ie verbs. However, it
also has an irregular “yo” form.
3.4 Present tense of tener and venir
tener
venir
tengo
tienes
tiene
vengo
vienes
viene
tenemos
tenéis
tienen
venimos
venís
vienen
SINGULAR FORMS
yo
tú
Ud. / él / ella
PLURAL FORMS
nosotros/as
vosotros/as
Uds. / ellos / ellas
3.4 Present tense of tener and venir
 Note: The present tense of “tener” translates:
Tengo exámenes hoy. = I have tests today.
= I do have tests today.
= I am having tests today.
Note: The verb “venir” is often followed by “de” (from) or “a”
(to/at) The verb “venir” translates:
Vengo a la escuela. = I come to school.
= I do come to school.
= I am coming to school.
3.4 Present tense of tener and venir
 The endings are the same as those of regular
–er and –ir verbs, except for the yo forms,
which are irregular: tengo, vengo.
 NOTE: The singular forms (yo, tú, Ud. él,
ella) of tener and venir are the same,
except for the first letter t/v.
3.4 Present tense of tener and venir
¡INTÉNTALO! Provide the appropriate forms of tener and venir.
State what the sentences mean.
tener
1. Ellos ___dos hermanos.
2. Yo ___una hermana.
3. El artista ___ tres primos.
4. Nosotros ___ diez tíos.
5. Eva y Diana ___ un sobrino.
6. Usted ___ cinco nietos.
7. Tú ___ dos hermanastras.
8. Ustedes ___ cuatro hijos.
9. Ella ___ una hija.
venir
1. Mis padres ___ de México.
2. Tú ___ de España.
3. Nosotros ___ a clase.
4. Pepe ___ de Italia.
5. Yo ___ de Francia.
6. Ustedes ___ a mi casa.
7. Alfonso y yo ___ de Portugal.
8. Ellos no ___a clase los
domingos.
9. Usted ___ de Venezuela.