Learn to use irregular past participles like 'dicho', 'escrito', and 'puesto' in the pretérito perfecto to talk about recent actions and experiences related to paperwork and official procedures.
  1. The perfect preterite is formed with the present indicative of the verb "haber" plus the past participle of the verb we conjugate.
  2. Some verbs that do not follow the general rule are called irregular and their past participle is formed differently.
Verbo (Verb)Participio irregular (Irregular participle)Ejemplo (Example)
DecirDichoEl funcionario me ha dicho que entregue todos los documentos. (The official has told me to submit all the documents.)
EscribirEscritoHe escrito la solicitud para el permiso de trabajo. (I have written the application for the work permit.)
HacerHecho¿Has hecho los trámites para la visa? (Have you done the visa procedures?)
PonerPuestoHe puesto la solicitud en el mostrador. (I have put the application on the counter.)
VerVisto¿Has visto la oficina de seguridad social? (Have you seen the social security office?)
VolverVueltoTodavía no he vuelto de la cita para la visa de trabajo. (I have not returned from the work visa appointment yet.)

 

Exercise 1: Verbos irregulares en el pretérito perfecto

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

hemos puesto, han vuelto, han hecho, ha dicho, Has dicho, Has hecho, has escrito, Has puesto

1.
Poner (tú): ¿... tu dirección en el formulario?
(Have you put your address on the form?)
2.
Decir: Ella ... que no tiene los documentos listos.
(She has said that she doesn't have the documents ready.)
3.
Volver: Ellos ... de su cita en la seguridad social.
(They have returned from their appointment at social security.)
4.
Hacer: Ellos ... la reservación-in en el Ayuntamiento.
(They have checked in at the Town Hall.)
5.
Decir (tú): ¿... todo lo que necesitaban para la solicitud?
(Have you said everything they needed for the application?)
6.
Poner: Nosotros ... todos los papeles en el sobre.
(We have put all the papers in the envelope.)
7.
Escribir: ¿Tú ... la carta para la solicitud de empleo?
(Have you written the letter for the job application?)
8.
Hacer (tú): ¿... ya la solicitud para el permiso de trabajo?
(Have you already applied for the work permit?)

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Select the correct sentence that uses the present perfect tense with irregular verbs to express recent actions or experiences in situations related to paperwork, procedures, and bureaucracy.

1.
Error: incorrect participle 'escribido' instead of 'escrito'.
Error: incorrect use of the verb in the present tense 'escribo' instead of the past participle.
2.
Error: incorrect use of the verb in the present tense 'pone' instead of the participle.
Error: incorrect participle 'ponido' instead of 'puesto'.
3.
Error: incorrect participle 'decido' instead of 'dicho'.
Error: incorrect verbal form 'ha decir' instead of 'ha dicho'.
4.
Error: incorrect participle 'volvido' instead of 'vuelto'.
Error: incorrect verbal form 'he volver' instead of the participle 'vuelto'.

Irregular Verbs in the Present Perfect Tense

This lesson focuses on mastering the use of irregular past participles in the pretérito perfecto (present perfect tense) in Spanish. It is designed for learners at the A2 level who want to improve their ability to talk about recent actions and experiences, especially in contexts like paperwork, administrative processes, and official procedures.

What You Will Learn

  • The structure of the present perfect tense in Spanish: using the present indicative form of the verb haber plus the past participle.
  • Recognition and correct usage of irregular past participles that do not follow the regular formation rules.
  • Common irregular verbs with examples relevant to everyday bureaucratic actions.

Key Irregular Participles in This Lesson

VerbIrregular Past ParticipleExample Sentence
DecirDichoEl funcionario me ha dicho que entregue todos los documentos.
EscribirEscritoHe escrito la solicitud para el permiso de trabajo.
HacerHecho¿Has hecho los trámites para la visa?
PonerPuestoHe puesto la solicitud en el mostrador.
VerVisto¿Has visto la oficina de seguridad social?
VolverVueltoTodavía no he vuelto de la cita para la visa de trabajo.

How the Present Perfect is Formed

In Spanish, the present perfect is formed with two parts:

  • The present indicative of haber (he, has, ha, hemos, habéis, han)
  • The past participle of the main verb

For example: He escrito means "I have written." When dealing with irregular verbs, the past participle changes from the regular pattern and must be memorized.

Language Notes and Useful Expressions

Unlike English, where the regular past participle is often formed by adding -ed, Spanish has many irregular participles that are essential in perfect tenses.

Here are some useful phrases and their functions in bureaucratic or formal contexts:

  • He escrito la carta – I have written the letter
  • Has puesto los documentos – You have placed the documents
  • Ha dicho el funcionario – The official has said

In English, the present perfect is also formed with "have/has" + past participle, but the Spanish past participles may not correspond directly with English forms, so attention to irregular forms is crucial.

This lesson provides practical vocabulary and grammar to help you speak clearly and correctly about recent actions in official and everyday situations, building confidence and fluency.

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