B1 Spanish grammar

Stem-Changing Present Subjunctive Forms in Spanish

Present-tense stem changes continue in the subjunctive. -Ir verbs also use reduced changes in nosotros and vosotros, while spelling changes preserve pronunciation.

Stem-changing present subjunctive

yo present stem → opposite-vowel subjunctive endings

-Ar and -er boot verbs keep an unchanged nosotros/vosotros stem; -ir verbs use reduced e→i or o→u changes there.

-Ar and -er boot changes

Person	pensar	volver
yo	piense	vuelva
tú	pienses	vuelvas
él / ella / usted	piense	vuelva
nosotros	pensemos	volvamos
vosotros	penséis	volváis
ellos / ellas / ustedes	piensen	vuelvan

Nosotros and vosotros return to the unchanged stem.

-Ir stem changes

Person	pedir	dormir
yo	pida	duerma
tú	pidas	duermas
él / ella / usted	pida	duerma
nosotros	pidamos	durmamos
vosotros	pidáis	durmáis
ellos / ellas / ustedes	pidan	duerman

-Ir verbs keep a reduced change in nosotros and vosotros.

stem-changing present subjunctive: Keep -ar and -er boot changes

E→ie and o→ue changes appear outside nosotros and vosotros, which return to the unchanged stem.

Quiero que pienses, pero que pensemos juntos.

I want you to think, but for us to think together.Pensar changes for tú but not nosotros.

Quick check

Choose the Spanish translation.

I doubt they can come.

Use reduced changes in -ir nosotros forms

Stem-changing -ir verbs use e→i or o→u in nosotros and vosotros while keeping full changes elsewhere.

Espero que duermas y que durmamos bien.

I hope you sleep and that we sleep well.Dormir uses duerma outside and durmamos inside nosotros.

Preserve sound with spelling changes

Use c→qu, g→gu, and z→c before e endings so pronunciation remains stable.

Es necesario que busques y llegues pronto.

It is necessary that you look and arrive early.Busques and llegues preserve the hard consonant sounds.

Build the sentence

1 / 10

Translate into Spanish

I want you to think, but for us to think together.

Build your sentence…___

Choose the opening of the sentence.

Common mistakes

Quiero que piensamos juntos.

Quiero que pensemos juntos.

Nosotros does not use ie in an -ar boot verb.

Espero que dormamos bien.

Espero que durmamos bien.

O→ue -ir verbs reduce to o→u in nosotros.

Espero que lleges pronto.

Espero que llegues pronto.

G becomes gu before e to keep the sound.

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Subjunctive stem changes FAQ

What does subjunctive stem changes cover?

Present-tense stem changes continue in the subjunctive. -Ir verbs also use reduced changes in nosotros and vosotros, while spelling changes preserve pronunciation.

What is the first rule to remember?

E→ie and o→ue changes appear outside nosotros and vosotros, which return to the unchanged stem.

What is another important B1 pattern?

Stem-changing -ir verbs use e→i or o→u in nosotros and vosotros while keeping full changes elsewhere.

How can I practise stem-changing present subjunctive?

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

Continue learning

Present subjunctiveStart from the present yo form, remove -o, and add the opposite-vowel subjunctive endings.Irregular subjunctiveLearn the fully irregular present subjunctive forms of ser, ir, haber, saber, estar, and dar.Indicative or subjunctiveChoose the indicative for presented information and the subjunctive when a clause is framed through influence, reaction, doubt, or non-specific reference.Complete B1 Spanish grammar courseSee every B1 unit and continue through the course in order.Spanish tense guidesCompare the major tense systems used throughout this course.