Stem changing verbsAKA (Also known as)

Boot Verbs

What is a stem changing verb?Ordinarily to conjugate a verb, we just need to drop the ending –ar, -er, -ir and add the personal endings. (Click to see.)

-ar personal endings

Example: caminar -o -amos -as -áis stem ending -a -an

Let’s stop to remember -er and-ir personal endings.

-er personal endingsExample: correr -o -emos -es -éis stem ending -e -en (Click to see the next.) Example: escribir -ir personal endings -o -imos stem ending -es -ís -e -en

In regular verbs the stem does not change.But in stem changing verbs the stem does have a change. (Click to see.)

One change is u changes to ue Jugar

yo juego nosotros jugamos tú juegas vosotros jugáis

él juega ellos juegan

You can draw a boot around the forms that

change.

Sometimes the o changes to ue

Almorzar yo almuerzo nosotros almorzamos tú almuerzas vosotros almorzáis

él almuerza ellos almuerzan

You can draw a boot around the forms that change.The forms outside the boot (nosotros and vosotros)

do not have the stem change.

Some other o ue verbs aredormir and poder. Make sure use the correct personal endings for –er and –ir verbs

duermo dormimos

Duermes dormís

duerme duermen

Poder is o to ue

puedo podemos

puedes podéis

puede pueden

There is also a stem change e ie.Some of the verbs that have this stem

change are also irregular in the yo form, For example the “go-go” verbs tener and

venir. (they have “go” in the yo form)

Tener tengotenemos

tienestenéis

tienetienen

VENIR

vengo venimos

vienes venís

viene vienen

Other e ie verbs are: pensar, entender,

preferir, empezar, querer and many others.(In the next unit we will see the last stem change which is e i.)

So, now for the big question… (Click to see.)

How can I tell if a verb is stem changing or not?

Unfortunately…

…you cannot just look at the verb and know that.

So, the trick is plenty of repetition aloud, listening, writing and using.

You will quickly become used to how each verb sounds!

Remember: “Practice makes permanent!”

Now, please add all these verbs to your verb sheet.

Fin