StemChanging Verbs Stemchanging verbs have a spelling change

Stem-Changing Verbs • Stem-changing verbs have a spelling change in the stem. • The stem can be identified by dropping off the infinitive ending (-AR, -ER or –IR) • There are 4 types of stemchanging verbs: E > IE, E > I, O > UE and U > UE.

To figure out what kind of change takes place…. . • First, identify the stem. Drop off the infinitive ending – the letters that are left are called the “stem”. COMENZAR • Next, look at the vowel that is CLOSEST to the end of the stem. That’s the vowel that will change.

Sometimes it’s real easy to figure out the change… DORMIR O > UE … and sometimes it’s not. E > I ? ? ? PREFERIR E > IE ? ? ? If the verb is an –IR infinitive, it’s likely to be an E>I stem-changing verb. (See your notes for exceptions)

The change can be seen in all forms except NOSOTROS and VOSOTROS These verbs are referred to as “boot” or “shoe” verbs.

Stem-changing verbs are regular verbs and, therefore, will use regular –AR, -ER and –IR endings: -AR -ER -IR -O -AMOS -O -EMOS -O -IMOS -AS -ÁIS -ES -ÉIS -ES -ÍS -A -AN -E -EN

Jugar – To play U Juego UE Jugamos Juegas Jugáis Juegan

Jugar (yo) jugar juego I play

Poder (yo) poder puedo I can (am able to)

Poder – To be able O Puedo UE Podemos Puedes Podéis Pueden

Dormir – To sleep O UE Duermo Dormimos Duermes Dormís Duermen

Pensar – To think about E IE Pienso Pensamos Piensas Pensáis Piensan

Querer – To want E IE Quiero Queremos Quieres Queréis Quieren Remember the commercial: “Yo quiero Taco Bell”?

Preferir – To prefer E IE Prefiero Preferimos Prefieres Preferís Prefieren

Pedir – To ask for E Pido I Pedimos Pides Pedís Piden

Some other common stem-changing verbs……. .

Almorzar – to have lunch almorzar almuerz- O > UE Costar – to costar cuest- O > UE

Decir – to say, tell decir dic- E > I Doler – to hurt doler duel- O > UE

Empezar – to begin empezar empiez- E > IE Entender – to understand entender entiend- E > IE

Llover – to rain llover lluev- O > UE Nevar – to snow nevar niev- E > IE

Repetir – to repeat repetir repit- E > I Servir – to serve servir sirv- E > I

Let’s do some practice! (get those white boards out) Conjugate the stem-changing verb for the subject provided. Use THE PROCESS if you can and your notes only if you need to.

Pedir (yo) pedir pido I ask for

Almorzar (ellas) almorzar almuerzan They have lunch

Entender (Uds. ) entender entienden You (all) understand

Empezar (tú) empezar empiezas You begin

Costar (el libro) costar cuesta The book costs

Servir (el restaurante) servir sirve The restaurant serves

Querer (nosotros) querer But wait! This is a quier queremos nosotros form! We want

What do you remember about stem-changing verbs? • Stem-changing verbs have a ______ change in the stem. • That change will happen in all forms except…… • There are _____ types of stem-changing verbs. (Can you name them? ) • The vowel _____ _______ is the one that changes. • If the verb is an –IR infinitive, it’s likely to be a ___ > ___ change.

• Practice with the stem-changing verbs through your homework. • If you have a difficult time, please come in for some extra help. • Help is available every day during both lunches.