Stem Changing Verbs
Stem is the part of the verb that is left AFTER we drop the –ar, -er, -ir Example: Empezar – Empez
Stem changing verbs have a spelling change in their stems in all forms of the present tense except for nosotros and vosotros
Stem changing verbs are also known as ‘boot’ verbs because the changes happen within ‘the boot’
To conjugate a stem changing verb, drop the –ar, -er, -ir. Replace the original vowel with the new vowels given Conjugate like normal. Empezar (e – ie) - empez Empezar (e – ie) - empiez (Yo) Empezar (e – ie) - empiezo
o – ue verbs Stem changing verbs that have an ‘o’ in them are o – ue verbs. Almorzar Costar Dormir Poder
Almorzar (o – ue)
Costar (o-ue)
Dormir (o – ue)
Poder (o – ue) To be able to / can
¡Hazlo! Yo/poder Tú/almorzar La comida/costar Nosotros/almorzar Ellos/dormir
u – ue verbs Jugar is the only u – ue verb.
Jugar (u-ue)
¡Hazlo! Tú/jugar Ellos/jugar Nosotros/jugar
e – i verbs Verbs that end in –ir are usually e to i verbs with the exception of ‘preferir’ and ‘venir’ Servir Repetir Pedir
Servir (e – i)
Repetir (e – i) Me gusta cantar Me gusta cantar Me gusta cantar
¡hazlo! yo/servir Tú/pedir Ella/repetir Nosotros/repetir Ellos/servir
Entender Pensar Preferir Querer Empezar Tener Venir e – ie verbs If you have more than one “e”, change the one that comes right BEFORE the ending.
Entender (e - ie)
Pensar (e – ie)
Preferir (e – ie)
Querer (e - ie) To want
Empezar (e – ie)
¡Hazlo! yo/empezar Tú/preferir Él/querer Nosotros/pensar Ellos/entender Ud./venir Nosotros/tener