Stem-changing Verbs- ei, eie, uue and
ohue
Some verbs do not follow the regular pattern. The irregular verbs we will focus on here are common,
but the changes are uncommon so it’s easier to memorize them.
In a regular verb, only the ending of the verb changes when you conjugate it. With stem-changing
verbs, the verb stem will change a little bit as well. In this lesson we will focus on verbs with ei,
eie, uue and ohue stem changes.
ei
All verbs that undergo a stem-change from e to i (such as pedir -to ask for) are -ir verbs and still use
the regular verb endings in the present tense. They simply undergo a stem change in all forms
EXCEPT nosotros and vosotros. The following chart shows the present tense conjugations of the
verb pedir: Notice how the “e” changes to an “i.”
pido
pedimos
pides
pedís
pide
piden
Other verbs that follow this same pattern include:
decir
to say, to tell (decir is also irregular in the yo form- yo digo)
repetir
to repeat
medir
to measure, also used to talk about height
Here are some examples:
Ud. nunca dice mentiras.
¿Qué dices?
Tú repites siempre las mismas cosas.
Ellos miden más de seis pies.
You (formal) never tell lies.
What are you saying?
You always repeat the same things.
They are over six feet tall (literally: They measure
more than six feet.)
iie: adquirir - to acquire
This verb simply undergoes a stem change in all forms EXCEPT nosotros and vosotros. The
following chart shows the present tense conjugations of the verb:
adquiero
adquieres
adquiere
adquirimos
adquirís
adquieren
For example:
Yo adquiero mucho conocimiento por medio de la Internet.
I acquire a lot of knowledge
through the Internet.
© 2011 Middlebury Interactive Languages. All rights reserved. This material is intended for the exclusive use of registered users only. No portion of these
materials may be reproduced or redistributed in any form without the express permission of Middlebury Interactive Languages.
uue: jugar - to play
This verb also undergoes a stem change in all forms EXCEPT nosotros and vosotros. The
following chart shows the present tense conjugations of the verb:
juego
juegas
juega
For example:
Los niños juegan en el parque.
Yo juego al fútbol todos los días.
jugamos
jugáis
juegan
The children play in the park.
I play soccer every day.
Please note that jugar is NOT used for playing music or an instrument. If you want to say that you
play the piano, use the verb tocar: Toco el piano (I play the piano).
Also, when you talk about playing a sport or a game, usually jugar will be followed by a before the
name of the sport or game.
For example:
Juego a las cartas con mi abuelo.
I play cards with my grandfather.
ohue: oler- to smell
This verb also undergoes a stem change in all forms EXCEPT nosotros and vosotros. The
following chart shows the present tense conjugations of the verb:
huelo
hueles
huele
For example:
Mi mamá siempre huele las rosas.
olemos
oléis
huelen
My mom always smells the roses.
© 2011 Middlebury Interactive Languages. All rights reserved. This material is intended for the exclusive use of registered users only. No portion of these
materials may be reproduced or redistributed in any form without the express permission of Middlebury Interactive Languages.