Spanish Stem-Changing Verbs
In some verbs, the vowel in the stem changes when it is stressed. This happens in the yo, tú, él, ellos forms but not in nosotros. Draw a boot around the forms that change, and you will never forget which ones they are.
Quick answer
- E → IE: pensar → pienso
- O → UE: poder → puedo
- E → I: pedir → pido
The boot pattern
Look at querer. The stem changes in four forms, and stays regular in nosotros (and vosotros in Spain).
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | quiero |
| tú | quieres |
| él / ella / usted | quiere |
| nosotros | queremos |
| ellos / ustedes | quieren |
E to IE verbs
Common verbs: pensar, querer, empezar, entender, preferir, cerrar, perder.
Examples
- Pienso en ti.I think about you.Pensar.
- La clase empieza a las nueve.The class starts at nine.Empezar.
- Prefiero el café.I prefer coffee.Preferir.
- Entendemos la lección.We understand the lesson.Nosotros does not change.
O to UE verbs
Common verbs: poder, dormir, volver, encontrar, recordar, costar, almorzar.
Examples
- Puedo ayudarte.I can help you.Poder.
- Duermo ocho horas.I sleep eight hours.Dormir.
- Vuelven mañana.They come back tomorrow.Volver.
- Podemos salir ahora.We can leave now.Nosotros does not change.
E to I verbs
Only -ir verbs: pedir, servir, seguir, repetir, decir. The change is e to i.
Examples
- Pido un café.I order a coffee.Pedir.
- Sigo estudiando.I keep studying.Seguir.
- Ellos sirven la cena.They serve dinner.Servir.
- Pedimos la cuenta.We ask for the bill.Nosotros does not change.
Spanish around the world
- The stem changes are the same everywhere. In Latin America you will not use vosotros, so the boot is simply yo, tú, él/ella, ellos.
Common mistakes
Incorrect: Yo quero un café.
Correct: Yo quiero un café.
Querer changes e to ie.
Incorrect: Nosotros puedemos ayudar.
Correct: Nosotros podemos ayudar.
Nosotros keeps the regular stem.
Incorrect: Ellos pedan la cuenta.
Correct: Ellos piden la cuenta.
Pedir changes e to i.
Incorrect: Yo dormo mucho.
Correct: Yo duermo mucho.
Dormir changes o to ue.
Remember the boot
- The stem changes in yo, tú, él and ellos. Not in nosotros.
- Three patterns: e to ie, o to ue, e to i.
- E to i happens only in -ir verbs.
Mini practice
5 quick questions. You get feedback right after each answer.
Frequently asked questions
Which forms change in stem-changing verbs?
Yo, tú, él/ella/usted, and ellos/ustedes. Nosotros does not change.
How do I know which verbs change?
You have to learn them. The dictionary or a verb list shows the change in brackets.
Do stem changes happen in the preterite?
Only for -ir verbs in the third person, like pidió and durmieron.
Is there an easy trick?
Imagine a boot around the changing forms. Nosotros is outside the boot.
Ready to practice your Spanish?
Stem changes become automatic with practice. Try a free session.
Words from this lesson
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Keep learning
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A2Irregular Preterite in Spanish
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A2Pedir vs. Preguntar
Both mean “to ask,” but one asks for something and the other asks a question.