Stem-Changing Verbs

Description

Exercises (Click on the dot to go directly to related exercises)

Verb List (Click on the dot to go directly to a (partial) list of stem-changing verbs)

Remember that these verbs are also called "Boot Verbs" for a reason! In general, the terms "boot verb" or "stem-changing verb" really refer to what the verb does in the present tense. However, some verbs also change in other tenses, so check out the information below.

The BEGINNING of the verb (in front of the -ar, -er, -ir) is called the "stem. This "stem" changes from one letter to another (or two!) when the verb is conjugated into certain forms (NOTE: Stem-changes in one verb tense do not necessarily mean that those same verbs will change in the same way for the same subjects in other verb tenses).

You MUST memorize which verbs "stem-change". There is no magic formula, and there isn't any reason to ask "why?". They just do, so the sooner you learn them and move on, the richer and more rewarding your Spanish-language-learning experience will be.

In the PRESENT TENSE:

o => ue

Other verbs that are o => ue stem-changers:

e => ie

divertirse

Other verbs that are e => ie stem-changers:

e => i
pedir

Other verbs that are e => i stem-changers:

In the Preterite Tense:

Remember that in this Past Tense these verbs are sometimes
called "Slipper Verbs" because they only change in the "sole" (él, ellos).

NOTE the differences with the present tense!

First and most importantly:
There are no changes in -ar or -er verbs (in the preterite tense)

For example:
encontrar:

Other verbs that don't change in the preterite include:

Present Tense:
e => ie
(change would be found in the "boot")

In other Verbs Tenses:

Imperfect: NO stem-changes at all

Future: NO stem-changes at all

Conditional: NO stem-changes at all

Progressives: Stem-changing -ir verbs show up here

Perfect Tenses : NO stem-changes at all