Stem or Root changing verbs

There are three groups of verbs which change a little at the ‘stem’ or the ‘root’ in the present tense. Usually they are completely regular as far as the end changes for the different conjugations/people are concerned. They are often known as SHOE verbs.

    O to UE

Note that the stem/root change doesn’t occur in the

nosotros (us), nor the vosotros (you-all). This is a rule for all stem/root changing verbs

almorzar – to eat lunch/elevenses   morir – to die aprobar – to approve

mostrar – to show colgar – to hang mover – to move (an object)

contar – to count, to tell probar – to prove, test, sample, taste

costar – to cost recordar – to remember devolver – to return (an object)

resolver – to solve volver – to return (from somewhere)

rogar – to beg, pray dormir – to sleep sonar – to sound, ring

encontrar – to find  soñar (con) – to dream (about) envolver – to wrap

tostar – to toast morder – to bite volar – to fly

 E to IE

Where the verb has two Es in the stem/root, it’s the second E which changes

acertar – to guess, get right encender – to light, kindle

advertir – to advise, warn entender – to understand

cerrar – to close, shut fregar – to scrub, wash dishes

comenzar – to begin hervir – to boil confesar – to confess

mentir – to lie consentir – to consent negar – to deny

convertir – to convert pensar (en) – to think about defender – to defend

perder – to lose empezar – to begin preferir – to prefer

E to I

Where the verb has two Es in the stem/root, it’s the second E which changes

bendecir (*) – to bless impedir – to impede colegir – to deduce

maldecir (*) – to curse competir – to compete medir – to measure

conseguir – to get, obtain pedir – to ask for, to order

corregir – to correct perseguir – to pursue, to persecute

decir (*) – to say, tell reír – to laugh despedir – to dismiss, fire

repetir – to repeat elegir – to elect seguir – to follow, continue

freír – to fry servir – to serve gemir – to groan, moan

sonreír – to smile

* The verb “decir” and those ending in ‘decir’ are irregular in the first person: yo digo, etc.