Stem-changing verbs deviate from the normal pattern of regular verbs. In stem-changing verbs, the stressed vowel of the stem changes when the verb is conjugated.

entender

entiendoentiendesentiende

entendemosentendéisentienden

Type 1: e ieWe’ll use entender, to understand, as an example of this

type.

The stem undergoes the change only when stressed.

• In many verbs, such as empezar (to begin), the stem vowel changes from e to ie. Note that the nosotros/as and vosotros/as forms don’t have a stem change.

Here are some other common e ie verbs:

empezar, comenzar to begin

pensar (+ infinitive) to think; to plan (to do something)

perder to lose

querer to want, to love

preferir to prefer

• In many other verbs, such as volver (to return), the stem vowel changes from o to ue. The nosotros/as and vosotros/as forms have no stem change.

almorzar

almuerzoalmuerzasalmuerza

almorzamosalmorzáisalmuerzan

Type 2: o ueWe’ll use almorzar, to have lunch, as an example of this

type.

jugar

juegojuegasjuega

jugamosjugáisjuegan

The verb jugar, to play (games or sports), follows the same pattern as o ue verbs, but the change is u

ue.

Here are some other common o ue verbs:

volver to return, to come back

costar* to cost

dormir to sleep

encontrar to find

poder to be able; canrecordar to remembersoñar (con) to dream (about)

*Costar is normally used only in the third persons.

¿Qué haces cuando tienes frío?

• Jugar (to play a sport or game), is the only Spanish verb that has a u:ue stem change. Jugar is followed by a + [definite article] when the name of a sport or game is mentioned.

• Comenzar and empezar require the preposition a when they are followed by an infinitive.

quieroquieresquiere

queremosqueréisquieren

querer

When used with a thing as the direct object, querer means to want.

¿Quiere un sándwich de pollo?

Sí, y quiero papas fritas también, por

favor.

Quiero mucho a su hija,

señor Vega.

prefieroprefieresprefiere

preferimospreferísprefieren

preferir

Preferir, of course, means to prefer.

Both querer and preferir can be used with an infinitive directly after them

Rafael quiere esquiar, pero su novia prefiere patinar.

Rafael wants to ski, but his girlfriend prefers to skate.

quieroquieresquiere

queremosqueréisquieren

We start with an appropriate person and number of querer or preferir . . .and then add any infinitive.

estudiarescribirviajarbailar

leercomeraprenderdormir

estudiar

piensopiensaspiensa

pensamospensáispiensan

Thinking and planningThe verb pensar is another very useful

stem-changing verb.

• Pensar + [infinitive] means to plan or to intend to do something. Pensar en means to think about someone or something.

Thinking and planningPensar basically means “to think.”

Me gusta ir al parque para pensar y descansar.

I like to go to the park to think and rest.

Thinking and planning

¿En qué piensas?

Pensar en means “to think about.”

Gabriela siempre piensa en sus estudios.

Pensamos en el bienestar de la familia.

Gabriela is always thinking about her studies.

We’re thinking about the wellbeing of the family.

What are you thinking about?

Thinking and planningPensar de means “to think of” (to

have an opinion about.)

¿Qué piensas de las novelas de Márquez?What do you think of Márquez’s novels?

Pensar que means “to think that” (in answer to the above question, for example.)

Yo pienso que sus novelas son maravillosas.I think that his novels are wonderful.

pensar + infinitive =to plan to do something

Thinking and planningPensar also has a special use . . .

Pensamos escuchar música en el parque esta tarde.

We’re planning to listen to music in the park this afternoon.

Thinking and planning

¿Qué piensas hacer después de clase?Después de clase, yo pienso . . .

¿Qué piensas hacer este fin de semana?Este fin de semana, pienso . . .

¿Qué piensan hacer Uds. (tú y tu familia) en las vacaciones de verano?

En las vacaciones de verano, pensamos . . .

Copyright © 2009 Vista Higher Learning. All rights reserved.

4.2-25

Provide the present tense forms of these verbs. The first item in each column has been done for you.

1. Ustedes ________.

2. Tú ____.

3. Nosotras ____.

4. Mi hermano ____.

5. Yo ____.

6. Usted ____.

7. Los chicos ____.

8. Ella ____.

1. Mi abuela no _________.

2. Yo no ____.

3. Tú no ____.

4. Mis hijos no ____.

5. Usted no ____.

6. Nosotros no ____.

7. Él no ____.

8. Ustedes no ____.

cierran

dormir (o:ue)cerrar (e:ie)

duerme

servir

sirvosirvessirve

servimosservíssirven

Type 3: e iWe’ll use servir, to serve, as an example of this type.

Note: All e i verbs are -ir verbs.

Here are some other common e i verbs:

repetir to repeat, to have a second helping

pedir to ask for, to request

medir to measure, to be a certain height

teñir to dye, to color

FIN