CAR-GAR-ZAR Verbs

Written by tutor Cheryl W.

“Yo” Conjugation in the Preterite

When conjugating infinitive verbs in the preterite tense, there are 3 AR-type infinitives
that change their spelling in the first person singular (Yo) conjugation.

Specifically, AR infinitives that end in CAR, GAR or ZAR have spelling (or
orthographic) changes in the “Yo” conjugation only.

Why? In each case, the spelling change serves the purpose of maintaining the
pronunciation in the conjugated verb that closely resembles the pronunciation of the
original infinitive.

Let’s look at examples.

CAR verbs

Example of a CAR verb: Buscar – to look for

[Notice that “c” changes to “qu” before adding “é”–the preterite ending for Yo] when
conjugating “buscar”:

busqué**	buscamos
buscaste	buscasteis
buscó	buscaron

** If “c” were not changed to “qu” before adding the preterite ending “é,” the “c” would
take on a “s” sound and “I looked for” would sound like “bus-say” instead of “bus-kay.”

GAR verbs

Example of a GAR verb: Llegar – to arrive

[Notice that “g” changes to “gu” before adding “é”–the preterite ending for Yo] when
conjugating “llegar”:

llegué**	llegamos
llegaste	llegasteis
llegó	llegaron

** If “g” were not changed to “gu” before adding the preterite ending “é,” the “g” would
take on an “h” sound and “I arrived” would sound like “yay-hay” instead of “yay-gay.”

ZAR verbs

Example of a ZAR verb: Empezar – to begin

[Notice that “z” changes to “c” before adding “é”–the preterite ending for Yo] when
conjugating “empezar”:

empecé**	empezamos
empezaste	empezasteis
empezó	empezaron

** If “z” were not changed to a “c” before adding the preterite ending “é,” the “z” would
take on a guttural “j/sh” sound and “I began” would sound like “em-pay-jhay” instead
of “em-pay-say.”

Can you think of other Spanish infinitives that will follow these spelling/pronunciation
rules? There are many!!

Here’s a sample list!

Practicar – to practice	Jugar – to play	Comenzar – to begin
Tocar – to touch	Castigar – to punish	Almorzar – to eat lunch
Marcar – to mark	Masticar – to chew	Cruzar – to cross

CAR, GAR, and ZAR verbs practice quiz

I ate lunch.

The correct answer is: almorcé.

{almorcé|almorce}

I touched.

The correct answer is: toqué.

{toqué|toque}

I punished.

The correct answer is: castigué.

{castigué|castigue}

I marked.

The correct answer is: marqué.

{marqué|marque}

I began.

The correct answer is: empecé.

{empecé|empece}

I crossed.

The correct answer is: crucé.

{crucé|cruce}

I played.

The correct answer is: jugué.

{jugué|jugue}

I practiced.

The correct answer is: practiqué.

{practiqué|practique}

I chewed.

The correct answer is: mastiqué.

{mastiqué|mastique}