Spanish/Lesson 4
Stem Changing Verbs
editIn Spanish, some verbs change their stems when they are conjugated. These verbs are known as stem-changing verbs. Many of these verbs are important and often used. There are three different types of stem changing verbs in Spanish:
Cambios de los Verbos Los verbos | |||
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The stem changes for all conjugations, excepting nosotros/as and vosotros/as. The endings are the same as for regular verbs (-o for yo, -as/-es for tú, ...).
Entender
To Understand
I understand | yo entiend | o |
You understand | tú entiend | es |
He understands |
él entiend | e |
She understands |
ella entiend | e |
You understand |
Usted entiend | e |
We understand | nosotros entend |
emos |
You (pl.) understand | vosotros entend |
eis |
They understand |
ellos entiend | en |
You (pl form) understand |
Ustedes entiend | en |
Note that the stem change is done for the second 'e' (not the first one) - in general the stem always changes for the last vowel before the -ar/-er/-ir ending.
Example: pedir (e->i) to ask for, to order
Pedir
To Ask For, Order
I ask for | yo pid | o |
You ask for | tú pid | es |
He asks for |
él pid | e |
She asks for |
ella pid | e |
You (form) ask for |
Usted pid | e |
We ask for | nosotros ped |
imos |
You (plural) ask for | vosotros ped |
ís |
They ask for |
ellos pid | en |
You (pl form) ask for |
Ustedes pid | en |
Note: all e->i stem changing verbs are -ir verbs.
Dormir
To Sleep
I sleep | yo duerm | o |
You sleep | tú duerm | es |
He sleeps |
él duerm | e |
She sleeps |
ella duerm | e |
You (formal) sleep |
Usted duerm | e |
We sleep | nosotros dorm |
imos |
You (plural) sleep | vosotros dorm |
ís |
They sleep |
ellos duerm | en |
You (plural formal) sleep |
Ustedes duerm | en |
Here is a list of some other common stem changing verbs:
e -> ie | e -> i | o -> ue |
---|---|---|
cerrar (to close) | competir (to compete) | almorzar (to eat lunch) |
comenzar (to begin) | conseguir (to get, obtain) | costar (to cost) |
defender (to defend) | pedir (to ask for, order) | encontrar (to find) |
empezar (to start, begin) | reir (to laugh) | morir (to die) |
mentir (to lie) | repetir (to repeat) | mostrar (to show) |
pensar (to think) | seguir (to follow, continue) | mover (to move) |
perder (to lose) | servir (to serve) | recordar (to remember) |
preferir (to prefer) | sonreír (to smile) | volver (to return) |
Exercise: Stem Changing Verbs
Present Participle
editThe present participle in Spanish is used either for continuous tenses (with estar, e.g. I am running.) and can also be used as an adjective. The Spanish present participle corresponds to the English -ing form of the verb.To form the present participle for regular -ar verbs, add -ando to the stem. For -er and -ir verbs add -iendo:
El Participio Presente Los Verbos | ||||
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However, not all present participles are that regular. Some verbs add a "y," or change the spelling, to adhere to Spanish orthography (spelling) rules. Here is a list of some common verbs that have an irregular present participle:
Participios Irregulares Los Verbos | ||||
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Present Progressive
editLike in English, the Spanish present progressive is used to describe an action in progress. It is formed by conjugating the verb estar and then adding the present participle:
El Presente Progresivo Los Verbos | ||||
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Vocabulary
editEl Vocabulario La Familia | ||||
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