Stem changing verbs

Stem changing infinitives

Stem changing infinitives are named for what they do– change in the stem.

There are 4 categories

1.U UE there is only one verb JUGAR

2.O UE Poder, almorzar, costar, dormir

3.E IE Entender, pensar, querer

4.E I Servir, Pedir, Repetir,

1. U UE Jugar = to play sports

Yo

Jueg-

Nosotros/as

Jug-

Tú

Jueg-

Vosotros/as

Jug-

Él

Ella jueg-

Ud.

Ellos

Ellas jueg-

Uds.Now just add the regular –ar endings.

Jugar = to play sports

Yo

Juego

Nosotros/as

Jugamos

Tú

Juegas

Vosotros/as

Jugáis

Él

Ella juega

Ud.

Ellos

Ellas juegan

Uds.

2. O UE

The second category is one of the largest.It is oue.Encontrar = to find is a stem changer.

Other examples include: acostarse (to lie down), almorzar (to eat lunch), contar (to count), costar (to cost), devolver (to return something), dormir (to sleep), poder (can/to be able to), volver (to return to a place)

Encontrar = to find

First separate the stem from the infinitive ending.

Encontr- is the stem.

Make the stem change oue

New stem encuentr-

Put into box– remember it will look like a boot… they are called boot verbs as well.

Encontrar = to find

Yo encuentro Ns. encontramos

Tú encuentras Vs. encontráis

Él, ella encuentra Ellos, ellas encuentran

3. E IE

The third category is again large.

It is eie.

preferir = to prefer is a stem changer.

It is the same steps as jugar.

Other e ie verbs

Cerrar (to close), Comenzar (to begin), Despertar (to wake up), Divertir (to entertain/ amuse), Empezar (to begin), Entender (to understand), Pensar (to think), Perder (to lose), Querer (to want), Recomendar (to recommend)

Pensar = to think

First separate the stem from the infinitive ending.

pens- is the stem.

Make the stem change eie

New stem prefier-

Put into box– remember it will look like a boot… they are called boot verbs as well.

pensar = to think

Yo pienso Ns. pensamos

Tú piesas Vs. pensaís

Él, ella piesa Ellos, ellas piensan

4. E I

The last category is a smaller one.

It is ei.

servir = to serve is a stem changer.

servir = to serve

First separate the stem from the infinitive ending.

serv- is the stem.

Make the stem change ei

New stem sirv-

Put into box– remember it will look like a boot… they are called boot verbs as well.

servir = to serve

Yo sirvo servimos

Tú sirves servís

Él, ella sirve sirven

ei

There are some rules that can help you distinguish between e i and e ie.

In order to be e i, the infinitive must end in –ir..

What vowell do we change?1st, 2nd or third?

Take the example

Pedir Yo pido

Preferir Yo prefiero

Recomendar Yo recomiendo

The rules is…

… the closest vowel to the ending!!!