4.2 Spanish Stem-Changing Verbs Study Guide

Overview of Spanish Stem-Changing Verbs:

In Spanish, certain verbs are categorized as stem-changing verbs. The core mechanic of these verbs is that the stressed vowel of the stem undergoes a change when the verb is conjugated. This change occurs in all forms except for the nosotros/as and vosotros/as forms.

Throughout the textbook, these verbs are identified using a specific notation system to help students recognize the required change:

• empezar (e → ie)

• volver (o → ue)

Mechanics of the Stem Change

The stem of a verb is what remains after removing the infinitive ending (-ar, -er, or -ir). When the vowel in that stem is stressed during conjugation, it transforms.

Comparison of Stem Changes

The e → ie Stem Change: empezar (to begin)

In many verbs, the stem vowel changes from e to ie. The following table illustrates the conjugation of empezar. Note the absence of a change in the plural first and second person forms.

Conjugation of empezar (e → ie)

Singular Forms:

• yo: empiezo

• t: empiezas

• Ud./l/ella: empieza

Plural Forms:

• nosotros/as: empezamos (No change)

• vosotros/as: empezis (No change)

• Uds./ellos/ellas: empiezan

Examples from Transcript:

• El partido empieza en diez minutos! (The game starts in ten minutes!)

• Cmo pierdes las entradas?! (How are you losing the tickets?!)

The o → ue Stem Change: volver (to return)

In this category, the stem vowel o changes to ue. Like the previous category, the nosotros/as and vosotros/as forms remain regular and do not experience a stem change.

Conjugation of volver (o → ue)

Singular Forms:

• yo: vuelvo

• t: vuelves

• Ud./l/ella: vuelve

Plural Forms:

• nosotros/as: volvemos (No change)

• vosotros/as: volvis (No change)

• Uds./ellos/ellas: vuelven

The u → ue Stem Change: jugar (to play)

jugar is unique in the Spanish language as it is the only verb that undergoes a u → ue stem change. It is primarily used when referring to playing a sport or a game.

Grammatical Rule for jugar: When the name of a specific sport or game follows the verb jugar, it must be followed by the preposition a plus a definite article (el, la, los, las).

Example from Transcript:

• Qu bien juegan, no? (They play very well, don't they?)

Vocabulary: Common Stem-Changing Verbs

e → ie Verbs

• cerrar: to close

• comenzar: to begin

• empezar: to begin

• entender: to understand

• pensar: to think

• perder: to lose; to miss

• preferir: to prefer

• querer: to want; to love

• Note on venir and tener: The verb venir (to come) has an irregular "yo" form (vengo). Similarly, tener (to have) has the "yo" form tengo. Both function as stem-changing verbs in their other conjugated forms.

o → ue Verbs

• dormir: to sleep

• encontrar: to find

• mostrar: to show

• poder: to be able to; can

• recordar: to remember

• volver: to return

Important Prepositional and Semantic Rules

Construction with Infantry: comenzar and empezar

Both comenzar and empezar require the preposition a when they are followed immediately by an infinitive verb.

• Example: Comenzamos a jugar a las siete. (We begin playing at seven.)

• Example: Ana empieza a trabajar hoy. (Ana starts working today.)

Variations of the verb pensar

The verb pensar changes meaning based on the structure that follows it:

• pensar + [infinitive]: This construction means "to plan" or "to intend" to do something.

  • Example: Piensan ir al gimnasio? (Are you planning to go to the gym?)

• pensar en: This construction means "to think about" someone or something.

  • Example: En qu piensas? (What are you thinking about?)