Transcript Stem-changing verbs

The Present Tense of StemChanging Verbs:
e  ie, e  i, o  ue
There is a fairly large group of verbs in Spanish that undergo
changes in their stem when conjugated in the present tense.
These changes occur in all forms but the nosotros and the
vosotros forms.
In a normal “verb chart”, when a line is drawn around the forms that
change, the resulting shape vaguely resembles a boot or high-top
shoe; thus, these verbs are sometimes informally called “boot” or
“shoe” verbs.
There are three types or classes of “boot” verbs.
Type 1: e  ie
We’ll use preferir, to understand, as an example of this type.
preferir
prefiero
prefieres
prefiere
preferimos
preferís
prefieren
*Note: There are 2 e’s in the stem – the one that changes
is the 2nd one, the one closest to the ending.
Here are some other common e  ie verbs:
empezar, comenzar
to begin
pensar (+ infinitive)
to think; to plan (to
do something)
perder
to lose
preferir
to prefer
querer
to want, to love
Type 2: e  i
We’ll use servir, to serve, as an example of this type.
servir
sirvo
sirves
sirve
servimos
servís
sirven
*Note: All e  i verbs are -ir verbs.
Here are some other common e  i verbs:
pedir
to ask for, to request
repetir
to repeat, to have a
second helping
Type 3: o  ue
We’ll use almorzar, to have lunch, as an example of this type.
almorzar
almuerzo
almuerzas
almuerza
almorzamos
almorzáis
almuerzan
Here are some other common o  ue verbs:
costar*
dormir
encontrar
poder
recordar
soñar (con)
volver
to cost
to sleep
to find
to be able; can
to remember
to dream (about)
to return, to
come back
*Costar is normally used only in the third persons.