A2 Spanish grammar

Spanish Stem-Changing Verbs: Understand the Present-Tense Patterns

Many common present-tense verbs change the stressed vowel in their stem. The endings remain regular, and nosotros and vosotros normally keep the original vowel.

Spanish stem-changing verbs: Change e to ie in stressed forms

Verbs such as pensar and querer change e to ie except in nosotros and vosotros.

Pienso en mis vacaciones.
I think about my vacation.The stressed e in pensar changes to ie for yo.

Quick check

Yo ___ viajar mañana. (pensar)

Change o to ue in stressed forms

Verbs such as poder, volver, and dormir change o to ue in stressed present forms.

¿Puedes ayudarme?
Can you help me?Poder changes o to ue for tú.

Use e to i and protect nosotros forms

Some -ir verbs such as pedir change e to i, while nosotros and vosotros keep e in the present.

Pedimos dos cafés.
We order two coffees.Nosotros uses pedimos without a stem change.

Common mistakes

Nosotros piensamos mucho.

Nosotros pensamos mucho.

Nosotros keeps the unchanged stem pens-.

Nosotros vuelvemos tarde.

Nosotros volvemos tarde.

Nosotros keeps the original o.

Yo pedo agua.

Yo pido agua.

Pedir changes e to i in the stressed yo form.

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Practice Spanish stem-changing verbs

Stem-changing verbs FAQ

What does stem-changing verbs cover?

Many common present-tense verbs change the stressed vowel in their stem. The endings remain regular, and nosotros and vosotros normally keep the original vowel.

What is the first rule to remember?

Verbs such as pensar and querer change e to ie except in nosotros and vosotros.

What is another important A2 pattern?

Verbs such as poder, volver, and dormir change o to ue in stressed present forms.

How can I practise Spanish stem-changing verbs?

Complete the focused round, review each correction, and repeat the lesson when its skills become due again.

Continue learning

Irregular yo formsLearn high-frequency irregular first-person forms such as hago, conozco, escojo, and oigo.More irregular present verbsPractise decir, poner, salir, traer, oír, saber, and dar in useful present-tense sentences.Present for scheduled plansLearn when Spanish uses the present tense with a future time expression for fixed or scheduled plans.Complete A2 Spanish grammar courseSee every A2 unit and continue through the course in order.Spanish tense guidesCompare the major tense systems used throughout this course.