Forgetting the 'A' Connector

Past Tense Spelling Trick

In the present tense, the 'e' in the middle of 'comenzar' changes to 'ie' (com**ie**nzo, com**ie**nzas) except for the 'we' (nosotros) and 'you all' (vosotros) forms, which remain com**e**nzamos.

The E > IE Stem Change

When you use 'comenzar' to say you are starting another action, you must connect the two verbs using the little word 'a': 'Comenzar a + verb' (e.g., Comienzo a correr).

Starting an Action

For most everyday conversations, 'comenzar' and 'empezar' are interchangeable. 'Comenzar' is often slightly preferred in more formal settings or documents.

Interchangeability with Empezar

Extremely common way to express the start of an action or event.

When talking about time or weather, the subject is often the event itself (e.g., 'La lluvia comienza'), making it easy to use the 'él/ella' form.

Starting Impersonally

This meaning is frequently paired with abstract nouns like 'etapa' (phase), 'siglo' (century), or 'proceso' (process) to indicate their origin point.

Use with Abstract Nouns

Commonly used when referring to the formal initiation of a process, season, or period.

Learn the Spanish verb 'comenzar' (to start, to begin). Comprehensive guide to its E>IE stem-changing conjugation, the necessary preposition 'a', and its interchangeable use with 'empezar'.

Comenzar Meaning, Conjugation & Usage | Inklingo

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The conditional of comenzar is regular: comenzaría, comenzarías, comenzaría, comenzaríamos, comenzaríais, comenzarían.

The future of comenzar is regular: comenzaré, comenzarás, comenzará, comenzaremos, comenzaréis, comenzarán.

The imperative of comenzar uses the stem change for informal commands: comienza (tú), comience (usted), comencemos (nosotros), comenzad (vosotros), comiencen (ustedes).

The imperfect of comenzar is regular: comenzaba, comenzabas, comenzaba, comenzábamos, comenzabais, comenzaban.

The imperfect subjunctive of comenzar is regular based on the third-person preterite: comenzara, comenzaras, comenzara, comenzáramos, comenzarais, comenzaran.

The negative imperative of comenzar uses the present subjunctive forms: no comiences, no comience, no comencemos, no comencéis, no comiencen.

Comenzar is a stem-changing verb where 'e' becomes 'ie': comienzo, comienzas, comienza, comenzamos, comenzáis, comienzan.

The present subjunctive of comenzar follows the e>ie stem change and the z>c spelling change: comience, comiences, comience, comencemos, comencéis, comiencen.

The preterite of comenzar has a spelling change in the first person: comencé, comenzaste, comenzó, comenzamos, comenzasteis, comenzaron.

comenzar

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indicative

present

future

imperfect

conditional

preterite

imperative

negative

affirmative

subjunctive

present

imperfect

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