Preterite of Hay

Question

I understand that the preterite of hay is hubo. Hubo can mean "there was" or "there were." Why doesn't it follow the normal conjugation rules where the ending depends on the first, second, third person singular or plural. For example, why isn't "Hubo muchos invitados." "Habieron muchos invitados.?"

Stick with hubo. - annierats, Mar 21, 2012

The verbs that are used frequently, like "ser", "ir", "haber" are highly irregular. - comunacho, Mar 21, 2012

I understand that about ser and ir, but they change with the first, second and third singular and plural. What I'm getting from the responses is that even though hacer conjugates similar to other verbs, the only ones you use are Hubo and había. - warzone, Mar 21, 2012

Answer 1

its only hubo or habia. in this case case its hubo

Answer 2

Warzone:

I have often been told that Spanish is a very logical language. In fact, I don't think it's any more logical than others.

Why, for example have the French , The Italians and the Spanish never thought up a descriptive little word for 'it'?

Wheras we Scandinavias can split our nouns down to several types of 'it'..

The truth is, it's no good asking why. We have to face it: they aren't going to change the language just because we dont find it easy..

One just has to get on and try to learn these things..

But, Annie, why isn't it good to ask why? ;o) Good post. - katydew, Mar 21, 2012

Answer 3

What do you mean? The verb "haber"?

• Perfect = Yo hube, tú hubiste, él hubo, nosotros hubimos, vosotros hubisteis, ellos hubieron
• Imperfect = Yo había, tú habías, él había, nosotros habíamos, vosotros habíais, ellos habían.