Stem Changing Verbs by Julie Gutin
Some groups of Spanish verbs undergo a stem change, that is, their stem or root changes spelling and pronunciation in four of the six conjugation forms (excluding nosotros and vosotros). The most common changes occur in the stem's vowel: “e” may change to “ie” or “i,” and “o” may change to “ue” or “u.”
The Unstable “E”
A number of -ar and -er verbs undergo an “e > ie” change in the stem when the “e” is in the accented syllable. Take a look at the conjugations of the verbs apretar (to grip) and defender (to defend):
aprieto |
apretamos |
aprietas |
apretáis |
aprieta |
aprietan |
defiendo |
defendemos |
defiendes |
defendéis |
defiende |
defienden |
Other verbs that follow the same pattern are worth memorizing:
atravesar |
atravieso |
I cross |
cerrar |
cierro |
I close |
comenzar |
comienzo |
I commence |
empezar |
empiezo |
I begin |
encender |
enciendo |
I light |
gobernar |
gobierno |
I govern |
pensar |
pienso |
I think |
perder |
pierdo |
I lose |
querer |
quiero |
I want |
sentar |
siento |
I sit down |
The verb tener (to have) is also an “e > ie” verb, with an additional irregularity in the yo form:
tengo |
tenemos |
tienes |
tenéis |
tiene |
tienen |
A similar modification occurs with -ir verbs as well. In the conjugations where the “e” is accented, it is replaced with “i.” Take a look at the verbs gemir (to moan) and repetir (to repeat) as examples:
gimo |
gemimos |
gimes |
gemís |
gime |
gimen |
repito |
repetimos |
repites |
repetís |
repite |
repiten |
Other verbs in this category are medir (to measure), pedir (to ask), seguir (to follow), servir (to serve), and vestir (to dress).
ESSENTIAL</h2>
<p>The stem-change rule is generally different for -ar/-er and -ir verbs. The -ar and -er verbs undergo a “e > ie” change; -ir verbs undergo a “e > i” change. However, a few -ir verbs do have an “e > ie” stem change: <B>mentir > miente</B> (he lies), <B>preferir > prefiere</B> (he prefers), <B>sentir > siente</B> (he feels), and <B>venir > viene</B> (he comes).</p>
</div>
<h2>When “O” Is under Stress</h2>
<p>Just as stressed “e” may undergo a change to “i” or “ie,” a stressed “o” in some irregular verbs changes to “u” or “ue.” In the present indicative, the change is limited to “o > ue.” Take a look at two examples: <B>almorzar</B> (to have lunch) and <B>dormir</B> (to sleep):</p>
<table frame="all" width="100%">
<tgroup cols="2">
<colspec colname="col1" colnum="1" colwidth="50%" colsep="0" rowsep="0" align="left"/>
<colspec colname="col2" colnum="2" colwidth="50%" colsep="0" rowsep="0" align="left"/>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><p><B>almuerzo</B></p></td>
<td><p><B>almorzamos</B></p></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><p><B>almuerzan</B></p></td>
<td><p><B>almorzáis</B></p></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><p><B>almuerza</B></p></td>
<td><p><B>almuerzan</B></p></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><p><B>duermo</B></p></td>
<td><p><B>dormimos</B></p></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><p><B>duermes</B></p></td>
<td><p><B>dormís</B></p></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><p><B>duerme</B></p></td>
<td><p><B>duermen</B></p></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</tgroup>
</table>
<p>Other verbs that follow the “o > ue” stem change include the following:</p>
<table frame="all" width="100%">
<tgroup cols="3">
<colspec colname="col1" colnum="1" colwidth="35%" colsep="0" rowsep="0" align="left"/>
<colspec colname="col2" colnum="2" colwidth="35%" colsep="0" rowsep="0" align="left"/>
<colspec colname="col3" colnum="3" colwidth="30%" colsep="0" rowsep="0" align="left"/>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><p><B>contar</B></p></td>
<td><p><B>cuento</B></p></td>
<td><p>I tell</p></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><p><B>costar</B></p></td>
<td><p><B>cuesto</B></p></td>
<td><p>I cost</p></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><p><B>doler</B></p></td>
<td><p><B>duelo</B></p></td>
<td><p>I hurt</p></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><p><B>jugar</B></p></td>
<td><p><B>juego</B></p></td>
<td><p>I play</p></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><p><B>morir</B></p></td>
<td><p><B>muero</B></p></td>
<td><p>I die</p></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><p><B>mostrar</B></p></td>
<td><p><B>muestro</B></p></td>
<td><p>I show</p></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><p><B>poder</B></p></td>
<td><p><B>puedo</B></p></td>
<td><p>I can</p></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><p><B>recordar</B></p></td>
<td><p><B>recuerdo</B></p></td>
<td><p>I remember</p></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><p><B>volar</B></p></td>
<td><p><B>vuelo</B></p></td>
<td><p>I fly</p></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><p><B>volver</B></p></td>
<td><p><B>vuelvo</B></p></td>
<td><p>I return</p></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</tgroup>
</table>
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