Your perspective is spot on! Understanding the regular patterns in Spanish verbs will definitely make it easier to identify the infinitive form (the original form) of verbs and look them up in a dictionary. Here’s a bit of advice to help you with this: 1. Identify the Verb Ending: Spanish verbs in their infinitive form typically end in **-ar**, **-er**, or **-ir**. For example, **hablar** (to speak), **comer** (to eat), and **vivir** (to live). Most of the time, you’ll find that the verb endings in sentences correspond to these categories. 2. Learn Regular Conjugation Patterns: Spanish verbs follow regular conjugation patterns. For example, verbs ending in **-ar** have similar endings in the present tense like **-o, -as, -a, -amos, -áis, -an**. Knowing these patterns helps you recognize the infinitive form. 3. Pay Attention to Common Irregular Verbs: Some verbs don’t follow the regular patterns and are irregular (e.g., **ir** (to go), **ser** (to be), **tener** (to have)). It’s helpful to memorize the most common irregular verbs, as these are frequently used. 4. Practice Verb Recognition: The more you read, the easier it becomes to recognize verb forms. Over time, you’ll develop a sense of what the infinitive form might be, even if the conjugated form looks unfamiliar. By understanding these patterns and practicing regularly, you’ll find it much easier to look up unfamiliar verbs quickly.