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Learn caer conjugation in Pretérito Perfecto Simple step by step with detailed explanations

Image of caer conjugation in Pretérito Perfecto Simple
caer means: to fall

In this lesson we will learn how to conjugate the verb caer in the Pretérito Perfecto Simple tense of the Indicativo mood. It means we will see step by step how to create the following conjugation:

yocaíI fell
caísteyou fell
él/ella/ustedcayóhe/she/it fell
nosotros/nosotrascaímoswe fell
vosotros/vosotrascaísteisyou fell
ellos/ellas/ustedescayeronthey fell

This lesson is specifically about the caer verb conjugation. For an overview of Simple Tenses conjugation have a look at our Simple Tenses Conjugation Chart.


You may also see this Video Presentation on how to conjugate verbs in Pretérito Perfecto Simple. It’s embedded on the right, but using the above link you will see more detailed information on conjugation in this tense and explanation of exceptions and special cases.

How to translate Pretérito Perfecto Simple to English

Note that the phrases in English in the third column of the above conjugation table are not direct translations from Spanish to English. They are the closest equivalents. The example differences are:
  • In Spanish, there is the form usted in the third person singular. But this person does not translate to the English third person singular. It translates to the so called formal you and uses the inflected form which is most often represented as he/she/it in English conjugation charts.
  • Similar situation happens in the third person plural, where ustedes translates to the English plural formal you but uses the form which corresponds to the they form in English.

Note the timeline

The ability to accurately locate the desired position on the timeline is an important skill for the right choice of tenses. So note the timeline in our lessons and visualize it while speaking, listening, writing and reading. After a bit practice you will be able to select the right tense to use much easier.timeline preterito perfecto simple how to conjugate spanish verbs

Step by step instructions

Pretérito Perfecto Simple belongs to the simple tenses group, which means that all of its inflected forms are one word long. There are also compound (compuesto) tenses in Spanish language, where each inflected verb form consists of two words.

Most forms of the verb caer in the Pretérito Perfecto Simple tense of the Indicativo mood are regular, but not all. One exception is the first person singular, which has an irregular form. There are also five spelling corrections necessary. The spelling corrections are in most cases not considered irregularities because they are predictable and often happen only in spelling to match the pronounced forms. Examples include corrections needed to keep the same consonant sound before the letters e/i and a/o which influence the pronunciation of c, g, z and others. Other corrections are accent changes, adding or dropping letters, etc.
Image of ca erThe basis for this conjugation is the stem of the verb, so we have to start by splitting the infinitive into a stem and an ending. It’s easy to do. Just remove two letters from the end of the infinitive form to get the ending — one of -ar, -er or -ir. What’s left is the stem.

So for our verb:
  • the stem is: ca-
  • and the ending is: -er
Use the stem ca- in each subject as the basis for conjugation, the common prefix or root that each of the forms begins with.Image of ca-
endings preterito perfecto simple er how to conjugate spanish verbsNext, add to this regular stem the endings specific to each person. Check out the image showing all the endings. Notice the colors and shapes of the letters. It will help you find patterns and make it easier to remember these endings.

Each grammatical person has a specific ending in each of the three conjugation groups -ar, -er, -ir.
Add the regular ending for the first person singular to create caí:
  • yo caí
Image of -í
Image of -iste Like previously add the regular ending -iste for the second person singular to create caiste.
A spelling correction is necessary here.

We need to add an accent over the i here, because without it we would lose the stress on i while it is present in pronunciation.

It would happen because any combination of weak vowels i/u with strong vowels a/e/o in a single syllable gives a sound which begins as one vowel and moves towards another, a diphthong. English has it as well in words like: stain, out.

So add the accent over i to get caíste:
  • tú caíste
Image of i => í   !!!
Image of -ió Like in the previous case add the regular ending -ió for the third person singular to create caió.
Again a spelling correction is necessary here, so change i to y to get cayó:
  • él cayó
  • ella cayó
  • usted cayó
Image of i => y !!
Image of -imos And exactly as previously add the regular ending -imos for the first person plural to create caimos.
And similarly a spelling correction is necessary here, so add the accent over i to get caímos:
  • nosotros caímos
  • nosotras caímos
Image of i => í  !
Image of -isteis Similarly add the regular ending -isteis for the second person plural to create caisteis.
And again a spelling correction is necessary here, so add the accent over i to get caísteis:
  • vosotros caísteis
  • vosotras caísteis
Image of i => í   !!!
Image of -ieron And add the regular ending -ieron for the third person plural to create caieron.
And again a spelling correction is necessary here, so change i to y to get cayeron:
  • ellos cayeron
  • ellas cayeron
  • ustedes cayeron
Image of i => y !!

This is it! The conjugation is now complete. But don’t end your session yet – it is very important to repeat and practice the material in order to remember it. Check below for example phrases and suggestions.

Example sentences

Si tenemos mucha suerte, creerán que caímos por las cataratas.
If we're lucky, they'll think we fell over the falls.
Cuando te vi por primera vez, me caíste bien porque eras diferente.
When I first saw you, I liked you because you were different.
Un terrible alud de pensamientos cayó sobre su cabeza abrumada.
A terrible flood of thoughts fell over his overwhelmed head.

Next Steps

  • To practice this conjugation and test your skills try this Conjugation Exercise or the Memory Game
  • To see other conjugation lessons for this verb choose another tense:  
  • For exercises and examples related to caer visit our Exercise section
  • To see conjugation charts in all tenses for caer visit the Conjugator
  • To explore other learning materials visit the Study section


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