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Empezar Present Practice

Empezar (to start, to begin) in the present: 14 free exercises with an explanation after every answer, plus the full conjugation table.

14 exercisesStem-changing e→ieA1 – A2 level
IWhat to watch for

Empezar is a stem-changing verb in the present: the e of the stem becomes ie in every form except nosotros and vosotros — empiezo, empiezas, empieza, empiezan, but empezamos. The endings themselves are the regular -ar set.

The classic trap is dragging the diphthong into the nosotros form (empiezamos is wrong — it stays empezamos). Watch also for empezar a + infinitive, the standard way to say that someone starts doing something.

IIConjugation
empezarPresent
yo
empiezo
empiezas
él / ella / usted
empieza
nosotros
empezamos
vosotros
empezáis
ellos / ustedes
empiezan
e→ie in the present (empiezo) plus a z→c spelling change before e: empecé, empiece.
IIIPractice exercises

Practice.

Answer first, then read the explanation. Don't skip it — that's the whole point.

Exercise 01 of 14Tag: Stem change
Fill in the blank

Todos los días _____ mi turno en la cafetería a las siete. (empezar)

Every day I start my shift at the café at seven.

Exercise 02 of 14Tag: Stem change
Fill in the blank

¿A qué hora _____ tú las clases de inglés los lunes? (empezar)

What time do you start your English classes on Mondays?

Exercise 03 of 14Tag: Stem change
Fill in the blank

La película _____ a las ocho, así que no llegues tarde. (empezar)

The movie starts at eight, so don't be late.

Exercise 04 of 14Tag: Nosotros form
Fill in the blank

Nosotros _____ a cocinar cuando llegan los invitados. (empezar)

We start cooking when the guests arrive.

Exercise 05 of 14Tag: Stem change
Fill in the blank

Los niños _____ la escuela hoy después de las vacaciones. (empezar)

The kids start school today after the vacation.

Exercise 06 of 14Tag: Empezar a + infinitive
Fill in the blank

Hoy _____ a estudiar para el examen de historia. (empezar)

Today I'm starting to study for the history exam.

Exercise 07 of 14Tag: Stem change
Fill in the blank

_____ a correr todas las mañanas antes del trabajo, ¿no? (empezar)

You start running every morning before work, right?

Exercise 08 of 14Tag: Stem change
Fill in the blank

Marisol _____ su nuevo trabajo en el hospital esta semana. (empezar)

Marisol starts her new job at the hospital this week.

Exercise 09 of 14Tag: Nosotros form
Fill in the blank

Mi hermano y yo _____ el entrenamiento a las seis de la mañana. (empezar)

My brother and I start training at six in the morning.

Exercise 10 of 14Tag: Stem change
Fill in the blank

Las clases de yoga _____ ahora en el parque central. (empezar)

The yoga classes are starting now in the central park.

Exercise 11 of 14Tag: Yo form
Fill in the blank

Cada lunes yo _____ la semana con una lista de tareas. (empezar)

Every Monday I start the week with a to-do list.

Exercise 12 of 14Tag: Empezar a + infinitive
Fill in the blank

¿Cuándo _____ tú a buscar apartamento en la capital? (empezar)

When are you starting to look for an apartment in the capital?

Exercise 13 of 14Tag: Stem change
Fill in the blank

La reunión del equipo _____ todos los viernes a las nueve. (empezar)

The team meeting starts every Friday at nine.

Exercise 14 of 14Tag: Nosotros form
Fill in the blank

Ana y yo _____ hoy un curso de fotografía en línea. (empezar)

Ana and I are starting an online photography course today.

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