stem-changing verbs

Stem-Changing Verbs• 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”.

COMENZAR

• 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…

DORMIR

… and sometimes it’s not.PREFERIRE > 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)

O > UE

The change can be seen in all forms except NOSOTROS and VOSOTROS

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:

-O -AMOS

-AS -ÁIS

-A -AN

-O -IMOS

-ES -ÍS

-E -EN

-O -EMOS

-ES -ÉIS

-E -EN

-AR -ER -IR

Jugar – To play

Jugamos

Jugáis

Juegan

U UE

Juego

Juegas

Juega

Jugar (yo)

jugarjuego

I play

Poder (yo)

poderpuedo

I can (am able to)

Poder – To be able

Podemos

Podéis

Pueden

O

UE

Puedo

Puedes

Puede

Dormir – To sleep

Dormimos

Dormís

Duermen

O

UE

Duermo

Duermes

Duerme

Pensar – To think about

Pensamos

Pensáis

Piensan

EIE

Pienso

Piensas

Piensa

Querer – To want

Queremos

Queréis

Quieren

EIE

Quiero

Quieres

QuiereRemember the commercial: “Yo quiero Taco Bell”?

Preferir – To prefer

Preferimos

Preferís

Prefieren

E IE

Prefiero

Prefieres

Prefiere

Pedir – To ask for

Pedimos

Pedís

Piden

E I

Pido

Pides

Pide

Some other common stem-changing

verbs……..

Almorzar – to have lunchalmorzar

almuerz- O > UE

Costar – to costcostar

cuest- O > UE

Decir – to say, telldecir

dic- E > I

Doler – to hurtdoler

duel- O > UE

Empezar – to beginempezar

empiez- E > IE

Entender – to understandentender

entiend- E > IE

Llover – to rainllover

lluev- O > UE

Nevar – to snownevar

niev- E > IE

Repetir – to repeatrepetir

repit- E > I

Servir – to serveservirsirv- 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)

pedirpido

I ask for

Almorzar (ellas)

almorzaralmuerzan

They have lunch

Entender (Uds.)

entenderentienden

You (all) understand

Empezar (tú)

empezarempiezas

You begin

Costar (el libro)

costarcuesta

The book costs

Servir (el restaurante)

servirsirve

The restaurant serves

Querer (nosotros)

quererquier But wait! This is

a nosotros form!

We want

queremos

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.