Spanish e-i and e-ie Stem-Changers Quiz

What are stem-changing verbs?

Stem-changing verbs in Spanish have a change in the stem for some of the conjugations.

The most common types of stem-changers are:

  • e-ie

  • e-i

  • o-ue

  • u-ue

Important notes:

  • The vowel of the stem is what changes in present tense

  • Nosotros/as and vosotros/as do not stem-change.

What are some stem-changers?

e-ie                                                     e-i

cerrar = to close                                decir = to say, to tell

entender = to understand                 pedir = to order, to ask for

pensar = to think, to plan                  repetir = to repeat

perder = to lose                                servir = to serve

preferir = to prefer

querer = to want


o-ue                                         u-ue

almozar = to have lunch                   jugar = to play

dormir = to sleep

encontrar = to find

poder = to be able to

recordar = to remember

volver = to return

How can I stem-change?

There are three steps to stem-changing are:

  1. Drop the ending

  2. Change the stem

  3. Add a new ending