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
DORMIR |
|||
yo | duermo | nosotros/as | dormimos |
tú | duermes | vosotros/as | dormís |
él/ella | duerme | ellos/ellas | duermen |
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
CERRAR | |||
yo | cierro | nosotros/as | cerramos |
tú | cierras | vosotros/as | cerráis |
él/ella | cierra | ellos/ellas | cierran |
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
REPETIR | |||
yo | repito | nosotros/as | repetimos |
tú | repites | vosotros/as | repetís |
él/ella | repite | ellos/ellas | repiten |
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.