When you begin to learn Italian, you'll quickly spot three types of verbs: -ARE, -ERE, and -IRE. Each group has its own style for changing the verb forms in the present tense. Once you understand the patterns, they can be pretty simple!

1. -ARE Verbs

• Most Common: This is the biggest group of Italian verbs. Examples are parlare (to speak) and mangiare (to eat).
• How to Change Them:
  • io (I) → -o (parlo)
  • tu (you) → -i (parli)
  • lui/lei (he/she) → -a (parla)
  • noi (we) → -iamo (parliamo)
  • voi (you all) → -ate (parlate)
  • loro (they) → -ano (parlano)

2. -ERE Verbs

• Moderately Common: These verbs are a little less common than -ARE verbs. Examples include credere (to believe) and vedere (to see).
• How to Change Them:
  • io → -o (credo)
  • tu → -i (credi)
  • lui/lei → -e (crede)
  • noi → -iamo (crediamo)
  • voi → -ete (credete)
  • loro → -ono (credono)

3. -IRE Verbs

• Less Common: There are fewer -IRE verbs, but they can be fun to learn. Examples are dormire (to sleep) and finire (to finish).
• How to Change Them:
  • io → -o (dormo)
  • tu → -i (dormi)
  • lui/lei → -e (dorme)
  • noi → -iamo (dormiamo)
  • voi → -ite (dormite)
  • loro → -ono (dormono)

Special Note about -IRE Verbs

Some -IRE verbs, like finire, add an extra part: -isc-. For example:

• io → finisco
• tu → finisci
• lui/lei → finisce

Once you learn to recognize these patterns, you'll feel much more sure of yourself when using Italian verbs. Enjoy your studies!