Stem-Changing Verbs E > IE, E > I, O > UE and U > UE. Stem-changing verbs have a spelling change in the stem. The stem can be identified by dropping off the infinitive ending (-AR, -ER or –IR) There are 4 types of stem-changing verbs: E > IE, E > I, O > UE and U > UE.

To figure out what kind of change takes place….. First, identify the stem. Drop off the infinitive ending – the letters that are left are called the “stem”. COMENZ AR Next, look at the vowel that is CLOSEST to the end of the stem. That’s the vowel that will change.

Sometimes it’s real easy to figure out the change… DORM IR O > UE … and sometimes it’s not. PREFER IR E > I ??? E > IE ??? If the verb is an –IR infinitive, it’s likely to be an stem-changing verb. E > I (See your notes for exceptions)

The change can be seen in all forms except NOSOTROS and VOSOTROS Juego Jugamos Juegas Jugáis Juega Juegan These verbs are referred to as “boot” or “shoe” verbs.

Stem-changing verbs are regular verbs and, therefore, will use regular –AR, -ER and –IR endings: -AMOS -AS -ÁIS -A -AN -O -EMOS -ES -ÉIS -E -EN -O -IMOS -ES -ÍS -E -EN

Jugar – To play U UE Juego Jugamos Juegas Jugáis Juega Juegan

Jugar (yo) jug ar jueg o I play

Poder (yo) pod er pued o I can (am able to)

Poder – To be able O UE Puedo Podemos Puedes Podéis Puede Pueden

Dormir – To sleep O UE Duermo Dormimos Duermes Dormís Duerme Duermen

Pienso Pensamos Piensas Pensáis Piensa Piensan E IE Pensar – To think about E IE Pienso Pensamos Piensas Pensáis Piensa Piensan

Querer – To want Quiero Queremos Quieres Queréis Quiere Quieren E IE Remember the commercial: “Yo quiero Taco Bell”?

Prefiero Prefieres Preferís Prefiere Prefieren Preferir – To prefer E Preferimos Prefieres Preferís Prefiere Prefieren

Pedir – To ask for E I Pido Pedimos Pides Pedís Pide Piden

Some other common stem-changing verbs……..

Almorzar – to have lunch almuer- O > UE Costar – to cost cost ar cuest- O > UE

Decir – to say, tell dec ir dic- Doler – to hurt dol er duel- E > I O > UE

Entender – to understand Empezar – to begin empez ar empiez- E > IE Entender – to understand entend er entiend- E > IE

Llover – to rain llov er lluev- Nevar – to snow nev ar niev- O > UE E > IE

Repetir – to repeat repet ir repit- Servir – to serve serv ir sirv- E > I Servir – to serve serv ir sirv- E > I

Let’s do some practice! (get those white boards out) Conjugate the stem-changing verb for the subject provided. Use THE PROCESS if you can and your notes only if you need to.

Pedir (yo) ped ir pid o I ask for

Almorzar (ellas) almorz ar almuerz an They have lunch

Entender (Uds.) entend er entiend en You (all) understand

Empezar (tú) empez ar empiez as You begin

Costar (el libro) cost ar cuest a The book costs

Servir (el restaurante) sirv e The restaurant serves

quer er quier quer emos We want Querer (nosotros) But wait! This is a nosotros form! We want

What do you remember about stem-changing verbs? Stem-changing verbs have a ________ change in the stem. That change will happen in all forms except…… There are _____ types of stem-changing verbs. (Can you name them?) The vowel _____ ____ ____ ______ _______ is the one that changes. If the verb is an –IR infinitive, it’s likely to be a ___ > ___ change.

Practice with the stem-changing verbs through your homework. If you have a difficult time, please come in for some extra help. Help is available every day during both lunches.