1. APUNTES: CRITERIA FOR STEM-CHANGING VERBS IN THE PRETERITE TENSE
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OBJETIVO: TLW analyze when and how to perform stem-changes in the
preterite tense.
In order to perform a stem-change in the preterite tense, certain criteria has to be met.
It MUST be an –ir verb. No –ar or –er verbs can stem-change in the preterite.
The subject has to be either 3rd person singular, or 3rd person plural.
It will only take a ‘HALF’ stem-change: e-i (not e-ie) or o-u (not o-ue)
If the verb does not meet ALL of these criteria, DO NOT STEM-CHANGE IT!.
CONJUGATE THE VERB WITHOUT THE STEM-CHANGE!
Ejemplos:
Yesterday, I slept for 3 hours.
-(dormir, o-ue) Ayer, yo dormí para tres horas.
-No stem-change. Why? Dormir is an –ir verb, however, the subject is NOT 3rd
person singular or plural.
Yesterday, the girls slept for 3 hours.
-(dormir, o-ue) Ayer ellas durmieron para tres horas.
-Yes, I can do the stem-change. Why? It meets all 3 criteria: dormir is an –ir verb, the subject
is 3rd person plural, therefore, the verb can stem-change from o-u.
APUNTES:
CRITERIA FOR STEM-CHANGING VERBS IN THE PRETERITE TENSE An
L. Ford
Production
2019