Present (e.g.: eu falo)

Questions about Verbs in the Present

Q: Why is it eu falo and NOT eu fale?
The eu form of regular present tense verbs typically ends in -o (e.g.: eu falo, eu canto, eu vendo, eu parto). The form fale belongs to the subjunctive, not the present indicative.

Q: Why is it Agora, ele pode and NOT Agora, le pôde?
The forms are different tenses of the same verb (poder):

• pode = present (“he can”)

• pôde = preterite (“he was able to”)
  The circumflex accent distinguishes past from present.

Q: Why is it eles vão and NOT eles iren?
The verb ir is irregular and does not follow the normal pattern of -ir verbs. Its present forms must be memorized (e.g.: vou, vais, vai, vamos, vão).