1. Stem-changing Verbs
Español II
Sra. Andrews

2. Stem-Changing Verbs
There are 4 different types of stem changing verbs:
e- ie stem changers
e – i stem changers
o- ue stem changers
u – ue stem changers * only 1
**A letter (always a vowel) in the stem changes.**
The verbs will have the letter in a parenthesis.
Ej. Pensar (ie)

3. e  ie e  i o  ue As stated:
There are 4 types of stem-changing verbs:
e-ie/e-i/o-ue. Here are 3 types of them….
e  ie
pensar = to think
querer = to want
cerrar = to close
entender = to understand
preferir = to prefer
empezar = to start
tener = to have
Comenzar = to begin
Perder = to lose
e  i
servir = to serve
pedir = to order
seguir = to follow
competir = to compete
o  ue
almorzar = to eat lunch
poder = to be able/can
encontrar = to find
dormir = to sleep
volver = to return
soñar = to dream

4. Stem-changing verbs give their stems the boot!

5. Boot Verbs
Stem-changing verbs are often referred to as “boot verbs”. This is because the forms of the verb that change the stem make the shape of a boot. We change in all forms except nosotros and vosotros. Therefore…boot shape.

6. Verb endings
If a verb ends in –ar, you add:
o amos
as áis
a an

7. Pensar (e-ie) – to think
How to conjugate:
Cross of the “ar” ending and you are left with the stem “pens-”. Because pensar is an e-ie stem changer, we have to change the “e” in the stem to “ie” before we add our endings.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Stem changing verbs NEVER EVER change their stem in the NOSOTROS/VOSOTROS forms of the verb.

8. pensar – to think (e – ie stem change)
singular
plural
Yo pienso
nosotros/as PENSamos
Tú piensas
vosotros/as PENsaís
él/ella
usted piensa
ellos/ellas
ustedes piensan

9. Verb endings If a verb ends in –er, you add: o emos es éis e en
if a verb ends in –ir, you add:
o imos
es ís
e en

10. Entender (e-ie) – to understand
How to conjugate:
Cross of the “er” ending and you are left with the stem “entend-”. Because entender is an e-ie stem changer, we have to change the “e” in the stem to “ie” before we add our endings.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Stem changing verbs NEVER EVER change their stem in the NOSOTROS/VOSOTROS forms of the verb.

11. Entender – to understand(e-ie stem changing verb)
singular
plural
Yo entiendo
nosotros entendemos
tú entiendes
vosotros entendéis
él/ella/usted
entiende
Ellos/ellas/ustedes
entienden

12. Servir (e-i) – to serve How to conjugate:
Cross of the “ir” ending and you are left with the stem “serv-”. Because servir is an e-i stem changer, we have to change the “e” in the stem to “i” before we add our endings.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Stem changing verbs NEVER EVER change their stem in the NOSOTROS/VOSOTROS forms of the verb.

13. Servir– to serve (e-i stem changing verb)
singular
plural
Yo sirvo
nosotros servimos
tú sirves
vosotros servís
él/ella/usted
sirve
Ellos/ellas/ustedes
sirven

14. There is only ONE “u-ue” verb. It is the verb jugar – to play.
Yo juego nosotros JUGamos
Tú juegas vosotros JUGáis
él/ella/usted juega ellos/ellas/ustedes
juegan

15. Let’s review - Steps to conjugating a stem-changing verb:
Remove AR/ER/ or IR from the infinitive.
2) Change the stem in all forms EXCEPT NOSOTROS AND VOSOTROS.
3) Add the AR/ER/ or IR endings (depending on the type of
verb) based on the subject.
Now you are done!!! If you did it correctly, the stem changed forms of the verb are shaped like a boot.

16. Vamos a practicar:
Conjugate the following stem-changing verbs. When done, draw a boot around the ones that changed the stem (everything EXCEPT NOSOTROS/VOSOTROS)
Remember – the er/ir/ar endings will remain the same as you have previously learned.
E IE EMPEZAR = TO BEGIN
E  I PEDIR = TO ORDER/REQUEST
O  UE DORMIR = TO SLEEP