Unit 7 - Irregular Verbs in the Present Tense
Lesson 7.3 - Stem Changing Verbs: e => ie
Exercises 7.3 Quiz 7.3
Topic:

Covers the first group of stem-changing verbs in the present tense, forms where "e" changes to "ie".

Introduction to Stem-Changing Verbs

So far we have seen a number of irregular verbs that are each irregular in their own way.

Now we are going to look at a large group of verbs that are all irregular in the same way.

I'm talking about stem-changing verbs, where the root part of the verb changes slightly in the conjugations.

It is best to just look at an example:

The verb entender Play Audio means to understand.

Subject
Ending
Verb Form
Subject
Ending
Verb Form
Yo
-o
Play Audio
entiendo
Nosotros
-emos
Play Audio
entendemos
-es
Play Audio
entiendes
Vosotros
-éis
Play Audio
entendéis
Él/Ella
-e
Play Audio
entiende
Ellos
-en
Play Audio
entienden

Note first that the endings are the normal -er verb endings. What is different here is that in four of the six forms, the verb stem itself has changed.

Instead of using "entend" as the stem, these forms change the final "e" in the stem to "ie", making the stem "entiend".

So this is an "e to ie" stem-changing verb.

The "boot" or "L" shape

If you look at just the four conjugations that are in red, they make the shape of a boot or a large "L".

With stem-changing verbs, the nosotros and vosotros forms continue to use the non-modified stem and are regular.

You can use the boot shape as a way to remember which forms are irregular.

Tired of rules, rules, and more rules?

OK, it's time for a confession, which I hope you find heartening...

When I began to prepare this lesson about stem-changing verbs, I had to pull out my verb book to make sure I explained the method for forming these verbs correctly.

And I've been accurately using these verbs for years now! At some point, the rules just don't matter any more.

Just as you do in English, you will open your mouth and the correct form will come out.

While you may not be at that point yet, you will get there.

So, use the specific conjugation rules as the crutch that they are, but be ready to retire them when the time comes.

Before we move on, let's see another example:

Convertir Play Audio means to convert.

Subject
Ending
Verb Form
Subject
Ending
Verb Form
Yo
-o
Play Audio
convierto
Nosotros
-imos
Play Audio
convertimos
-es
Play Audio
conviertes
Vosotros
-ís
Play Audio
convertís
Él/Ella
-e
Play Audio
convierte
Ellos
-en
Play Audio
convierten

The pattern is the same. The normal -ir endings apply, but in the boot the stem changes from "convert" to "conviert".

Another example is querer, which you already learned in the last lesson.

There are many verbs in this group.

The e => ie stem change affects more verbs than any other type.

In many cases, you will be able to guess which verbs need this change. Although the difference is subtle, the correct form entiendo Play Audio sounds better than the incorrect entendo.

A list, but don't try to memorize it

The best way to learn these stem-changing verbs is by seeing them repeatedly in the exercises. Start to focus on the way the words sound, instead of how you formed them.

Here are some of the most common verbs in this group. While you can glance over the list, I wouldn't try to memorize it.

Partial list of e => ie stem-changing verbs

advertir to advise, to warn
calentar to heat (up), to warm (up)
cerrar to close, to shut, to turn off
comenzar to begin, to start, to commence
confesar to confess
convertir to convert
defender to defend
despertar to wake up (someone)
empezar to begin, to start
encender to incite, to inflame, to kindle, to light
entender to understand
enterrar to bury, to inter, to forget
hervir to boil
inferir to infer
invertir to invert, to turn upside down, to invest money
manifestar to demonstrate, to show, to manifest
mentir to lie, to tell a lie
negar to deny, to refuse (reflexive)
pensar to think, to plan, to intend
perder to lose
preferir to prefer
querer to want, to wish
recomendar to recommend, to commend, to advise
referir to refer, to relate
reventar to burst, to explode
sembrar to sow
sentar to sit
sentir to feel sorry, to regret, to feel
sugerir to hint, to insinuate, to suggest
transferir to transfer

In the exercises, remember that the nosotros and vosotros forms remain regular.

In the other forms, change the stem e => ie and add the appropriate ending.


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Additional Study Resources

Videos:
Nice animated explanation of how stem-changing verbs work. (3:58)
Dr Danny Evans with his usual in-depth coverage, this time on stem-changing verbs. (11:07)
Another explanation of the various kinds of stem-changing verbs. (5:50)
Websites:
Covers all the various kinds of stem-changing verbs, with lists of applicable verbs.
Explanation of the kinds of stem-changing verbs.
Books:
Chapter 8: Stem-changing Verbs, e > ie, Page 67, 4th edition.
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