1. Verbs that are also called
Stem-Changing Verbs
©2010
Verbs that are also called
“Boot” or “Shoe Verbs”
By Jami Sipe
©2010 Teacher’s Discovery

2. A conjugated verb is made up of the verb stem and the verb ending.
There are 3 types of verbs:
-ar
-er
-ir
A conjugated verb is made up of the verb stem and the verb ending.
Ejemplos:
cantar in the yo form becomes canto –
“cant” (the stem) plus “o” (the yo form ending)
hablar in the usted form becomes habla –
“habl” (the stem) plus “a” (the usted form ending)
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3. Stem-changing verbs are normal –ar, –er and –ir verbs
The Differences
Stem-changing verbs are normal –ar, –er and –ir verbs
EXCEPT that in the
yo, tú, usted, él, ella, ustedes, ellos and ellas forms,
the STEM changes.
The endings of the verb are still the same as other
–ar, –er and –ir verbs.
Note:
There is no stem change in the nosotros/as or vosotros/as forms.
The stem change occurs only in the “boot”:
©2010 Teacher’s Discovery

4. Look at the following table –
Why the boot?
Look at the following table –
Can you see the boot or shoe form? yo
nosotros/as tú
vosotros/as
usted,
él, ella
ustedes, ellos, ellas
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5. Verbs whose stem changes
from “E»IE”
The stem of these verbs will change in the
yo, tú, usted, él, ella, ustedes, ellos and ellas forms.
querer = to want, wish
*Note:
The stem changes in all forms
except nosotros/as and vosotros/as.
quiero
queremos*
quieres
queréis*
quiere
quieren
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6. Más “E»IE”” pensar = to think pienso piensas pensamos* pensáis* piensa
*Note:
The stem changes in all forms except
nosotros/as and
vosotros/as.
pienso
pensamos*
piensas
pensáis*
piensa
piensan
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7. Más “E»IE”” Ejemplos: Other E»IE stem-changing verbs are:
comenzar = to begin
empezar = to begin
merendar = to have a snack
preferir = to prefer
cerrar = to close
entender = to understand
perder = to lose
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8. Verbs whose stem changes from “O»UE””
These verbs will change from an o to a ue in
the conjugated form:
dormir = to sleep
*Note:
The stem changes in all forms except
nosotros/as
and
vosotros/as.
duermo
dormimos*
duermes
dormís*
duerme
duermen
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9. “O»UE”” Ejemplos: Other verbs are: contar = to count, to tell
morir = to die
probar = to taste, test and sample
devolver = to return (an item)
almorzar = to eat lunch
encontrar = to find
poder = to be able, can
recordar = to remember
volver = to return
©2010 Teacher’s Discovery

10. Verbs whose stem changes from “E»I”
These verbs change from an e to an i.
pedir = to ask for, to order
*Note:
The stem changes in all forms except
nosotros/as
and
vosotros/as.
pido
pedimos*
pides
pedís*
pide
piden
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11. “E»I”” Ejemplos: Other verbs are: servir = to serve medir = to measure
vestir = to dress
repetir = to repeat
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12. ¡OJO! There is one common boot verb that changes from “U»UE.”
jugar = to play a sport or game
*Note:
The stem changes in all forms except
nosotros/as
and
vosotros/as.
juego
jugamos*
juegas
jugáis*
juega
juegan
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13. Check Your Knowledge! I want yo quiero we want nosotros queremos
she returns
you (pl. familiar – Spain) return
you (tú) ask for
we ask for
you (usted) play
you (pl. familiar – Spain) play .
yo quiero
nosotros queremos
ella vuelve
vosotros volvéis
tú pides
nosotros pedimos
usted juega
vosotros jugáis
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14. Quick Grammar Lessons!
Credits ©2010 Teacher’s Discovery Written by: Jami Sipe Additional Information by: Suzanne Rutkowski Adriana Miretti Order Today! To get more of these Spanish grammar presentations, go to: Search: Grammar PowerPoints™
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