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Learn the main Spanish stem-changing verbs in present tense: e → ie (preferir, querer), e → i (pedir, servir), o → ue (volver, dormir), and u → ue (jugar) with practical examples like "Yo prefiero" and "Él pide."
  1. Some verbs change their stem when conjugated in the present tense, except in nosotros and vosotros.
Cambio de raíz (Stem change)Verbo (Verb)Ejemplo (Example)
e → iePreferirYo prefiero el pan. (I prefer the bread.)
QuererYo quiero la vainilla. (I want the vanilla.)
EntenderTú entiendes la receta. (You understand the recipe.)
e → iPedirÉl pide el ajo. (He asks for the garlic.)
ServirÉl sirve el chocolate. (He serves the chocolate.)
o → ueVolverTú vuelves con los tomates. (You return with the tomatoes.)
SolerYo suelo probar la comida antes de servirla. (I usually taste the food before serving it.)
DormirEllos duermen después de cocinar el arroz. (They sleep after cooking the rice.)
u → ueJugarEllas juegan con la masa. (They play with the dough.)

Exercise 1: Verbos con cambios de raíz: "e → i, e → ie, ..."

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

cierro, prueba, repiten, sueles, empieza, pide, cuesta

1.
El libro ... veinte euros.
(The book costs twenty euros.)
2.
Ellos ... el proceso de batir los huevos.
(They repeat the process of beating the eggs.)
3.
Ella ... la sopa.
(She tastes the soup.)
4.
Tú ... agregar más sal a la sopa.
(You usually add more salt to the soup.)
5.
Ella ... ayuda para su tarea.
(She asks for help with her homework.)
6.
Yo ... el frasco de mermelada.
(I close the jar of jam.)
7.
Él ... a mezclar la harina.
(He starts mixing the flour.)

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Choose the correct solution

1. Yo ______ comprar fruta fresca en el mercado.

(I ______ to buy fresh fruit at the market.)

2. ¿Tú ______ comprar yogur para el desayuno?

(Do you ______ to buy yogurt for breakfast?)

3. Él ______ al supermercado porque necesita más carne.

(He ______ to the supermarket because he needs more meat.)

4. Nosotros ______ verduras y galletas para la semana.

(We ______ vegetables and cookies for the week.)

5. Ellos ______ ayuda en la caja para encontrar el pescado.

(They ______ for help at the checkout to find the fish.)

6. ¿______ un carrito para hacer la compra?

(Do you ______ a cart to do the shopping?)

Stem-Changing Verbs in Spanish: e 10 i, e 10 ie, o 10 ue, and u 10 ue

In this lesson, you will learn about the four main patterns of stem-changing verbs in the Spanish present tense. These verbs experience a vowel change in their stem when conjugated, affecting all forms except nosotros and vosotros. Understanding these patterns is essential for mastering everyday communication.

Main Stem Changes

  • e 10 ie: verbs like preferir (to prefer), querer (to want), and entender (to understand). For example, yo prefiero el pan (I prefer bread).
  • e 10 i: verbs like pedir (to ask for/order) and servir (to serve). For example, e9l pide el ajo (he asks for the garlic).
  • o 10 ue: verbs like volver (to return), soler (to usually do something), and dormir (to sleep). For example, tfa vuelves con los tomates (you return with the tomatoes).
  • u 10 ue: the verb jugar (to play). For example, ellas juegan con la masa (they play with the dough).

Important Points

  • Stem changes occur in all present tense forms except nosotros and vosotros.
  • The root vowel changes reflect pronunciation shifts common in Spanish verbs, crucial for natural speech.

Examples of Useful Words and Expressions

  • preferir (to prefer): Yo prefiero el pan.
  • querer (to want): 1e9s quieres comprar yogur para el desayuno?
  • volver (to return): c9l vuelve al supermercado.
  • pedir (to ask for): Ellos piden ayuda.
  • jugar (to play): Ellas juegan con la masa.

Differences Between English and Spanish in Verb Stem Changes

English verbs do not typically have stem vowel changes in the present tense like Spanish does. Instead, English verbs mostly change endings (e.g., adding -s for third person singular). Spanish stem-changing verbs require memorization and practice to use correctly since the vowel shifts directly affect the verb's stem.

Useful phrases to know include:

  • preferir 10 to prefer (english: I prefer)
  • querer 10 to want (english: you want)
  • volver 10 to return (english: he returns)
  • pedir 10 to ask for (english: they ask)
  • jugar 10 to play (english: they play)

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