Stem-Changing verbs

(verbos con cambios radicales)

What is a stem-changing verb?

As the name implies, a stem-changing verb has a change in its stem

A verb has two parts, the stem and the ar/er/ir ending.

Hablar

Correr

Escribir

Types of stem-changers

There are 3.5 types of stem-changers in Spanish. They are:

E IE (the most common)

O UE (common)

U UE (“jugar” is the ONLY verb that does this)

E I (applies to –ir verbs ONLY)

WHERE in the stem does the change happen?

The stem change will always happen in the first vowel back from the ending. (Most times it’s the only vowel in the stem.)

PENSAR (to think, e ie)PREFERIR (to prefer, e ie)DORMIR (to sleep, o ue)ENCONTRAR (to find, o ue)SERVIR (to serve, e i)

How are these verbs conjugated?

Stem changers do not change in all forms, just four. Let’s see how this works…

PENSAR (to think / to plan, e

ie)

PIENSO PENSAMOS

PIENSAS PENSÁIS

PIENSA PIENSAN

Stem changers are also called “shoe” or “boot” verbs…

The changes all happen inside the form of a shoe or boot!

PREFERIR (to prefer, e ie)

PREFIERO PREFERIMOS

PREFIERES PREFERÍS

PREFIERE PREFIEREN

QUERER (to want, e ie)

QUIERO QUEREMOS

QUIERES QUERÉIS

QUIERE QUIEREN

Ejemplos:

Pienso llevar unos pantalones cortos porque hace calor.

Laura prefiere las camisetas más que las blusas.

Laura y Andrés quieren comprar botas nuevas.

What do you notice about the verb AFTER the conjugated stem-changer?

Traduce:

I want to buy these shoes and those socks.

We prefer to shop after school.

He plans to wear a jacket and a scarf.

You think that (que) shopping is boring.

*to shop: ir de compras

PODER (to be able (“can”), o

ue)

PUEDO PODEMOS

PUEDES PODÉIS

PUEDE PUEDEN

DORMIR (to sleep, o ue)

DUERMO DORMIMOS

DUERMES DORMÍS

DUERME DUERMEN

JUGAR (to play, the ONLY u ue)

JUEGO JUGAMOS

JUEGAS JUGÁIS

JUEGA JUEGAN

SERVIR (to serve, e i)

SIRVO SERVIMOS

SIRVES SERVÍS

SIRVE SIRVEN

PEDIR (to ask for, e i)

PIDO PEDIMOS

PIDES PEDÍS

PIDE PIDEN

PRÁCTICA: if a verb is in the nosotros form, rewrite it using a stem changed form, and vice versa.

1. Mis hermanos y yo dormimos hasta las 11.

2. Yo puedo cantar y bailar.

3. La princesa prefiere comer fuera de la casa.

4. Mis amigos y yo pedimos los espaguetis en el restaurante italiano.

5. Los chicos juegan al fútbol en el parque.

PRÁCTICA: translate the following

1. They serve the best pizza. (SUPERLATIVE!!!!)

2. We can wear coats and scarves in January.

3. I ask for boots and shoes for Christmas (la navidad).

4. My sister sleeps more than I.

5. You play soccer after school.

Final notes…There’s no way of looking at a verb and knowing that it’s a stem changer. However, the more familiar you are with Spanish, the more you will be able to “feel” a stem changer. Some Spanish 2 students can already do this

If a verb (of 2+ syllables) changes stem (e.g., TENER—to have), then all verbs which contain that verb will also change stem (e.g., MANTENER—to maintain, OBTENER—to get).