Stem-Changing Verbs (a.k.a., “boot” verbs or “shoe” verbs With examples using: Poder, Empezar, Pedir, Tener
Stem-Changing Verbs The stem of a verb is the part of the infinitive that is left after you drop the endings -ar, -er, or -ir. For example, the stem of empezar (to begin) is empez-.
Stem-Changing Verbs Stem-changing verbs have a spelling change in their stem in all forms of the present tense except the nosotros(as) and vosotros(as) forms. You have to memorize which verbs have a spelling change in the stem.
Stem-Changing Verbs There are three kinds of stem-changing verbs. 1. o or u > ue (poder → puedo) 2. e > ie (preferir → yo prefiero) 3. e >i (repetir) → yo repito)
PODER – to be able to Yo puedo Tú puedes Él Ella puede Ud. Nosotros podemos Vosotros podéis Ellos Ellas pueden Uds.
EMPEZAR – to begin Yo empiezo Tú empiezas Él Ella empieza Ud. Nosotros empezamos Vosotros empezáis Ellos Ellas empiezan Uds.
PEDIR – to ask for Yo pido Tú pides Él Ella pide Ud. Nosotros pedimos Vosotros pedís Ellos Ellas piden Uds.
Stem-Changing Verbs The verbs above are sometimes called a “boot” verb because you could draw a “boot” shape around those subject pronouns that take a change in the stem of the verb.
Stem-Changing Verbs Sometimes, though, only a “shoe” can be drawn around the verb forms that have a stem change. This is the case for the “yo –go” verbs. These are verbs that have a –go ending in the yo form of the verb. These do not have a stem change in the yo form. Verbs like tener and venir.
TENER – to have Tú tienes Él Ella tiene Ud. Nosotros tenemos Vosotros tenéis Ellos Ellas tienen Uds. Yo tengo