16.5.9

Irregular IR Verbs

Test yourself

Stem Changing IR Verbs (E → IE)

In Spanish in the present tense some IR verbs change when conjugated. The 'e' in the infinitive becomes 'ie'. This does NOT happen in the 'vosotros' and 'nosotros' forms. Derivatives of these verbs follow the same pattern.

Illustrative background for Stem changes (E → IE)Illustrative background for Stem changes (E → IE) ?? "content

Stem changes (E → IE)

  • When conjugated these IR verbs change from their infinitive form.
  • The 'e' in the infinitive changes to 'ie' when conjugated.
    • E.g. Sentir (to feel) becomes 'siento' (I feel).
    • E.g. Siento, sientes, siente, sentimos, sentís, sienten.
Illustrative background for Preferir - to preferIllustrative background for Preferir - to prefer ?? "content

Preferir - to prefer

  • Prefiero - I prefer.
  • Prefieres - you prefer.
  • Prefiere - he/she prefers.
  • Preferimos - we prefer.
  • Preferís - you (plural) prefer.
  • Prefieren - they prefer.
Illustrative background for Sugerir - to suggestIllustrative background for Sugerir - to suggest ?? "content

Sugerir - to suggest

  • Sugiero - I suggest.
  • Sugieres - you suggest.
  • Sugiere - he/she suggests.
  • Sugerimos - we suggest.
  • Sugerís - you (plural) suggest.
  • Sugieren - they suggest.
Illustrative background for Mentir - to lieIllustrative background for Mentir - to lie ?? "content

Mentir - to lie

  • Miento - I lie.
  • Mientes - you lie.
  • Miente - he/she lies.
  • Mentimos - we lie.
  • Mentís - you (plural) lie.
  • Mienten - they lie.
Illustrative background for Advertir - to warnIllustrative background for Advertir - to warn ?? "content

Advertir - to warn

  • Advierto - I warn.
  • Adviertes - you warn.
  • Advierte - he/she warns.
  • Advertimos - we warn.
  • Advertís - you (plural) warn.
  • Advierten - they warn.
Illustrative background for Sentir - to feelIllustrative background for Sentir - to feel ?? "content

Sentir - to feel

  • Siento - I feel.
  • Sientes - you feel.
  • Siente - he/she feels.
  • Sentimos - we feel.
  • Sentís - you (plural) feel.
  • Sienten - they feel.

Stem Changing IR Verbs (E → I)

In Spanish in the present tense some IR verbs change when conjugated. The 'e' in the infinitive becomes 'i'. This does NOT happen in the 'vosotros' and 'nosotros' forms. The endings follow the usual present tense IR pattern.

Illustrative background for Stem changes (E → I)Illustrative background for Stem changes (E → I) ?? "content

Stem changes (E → I)

  • When conjugated these IR verbs change from their infinitive form.
  • The 'e' in the infinitive changes to 'i' when conjugated.
    • E.g. Pedir (to ask) becomes 'pido' (I ask).
    • E.g. Pido, pides, pide, pedimos, pedís, piden.
Illustrative background for Servir - to serveIllustrative background for Servir - to serve ?? "content

Servir - to serve

  • Sirvo - I serve.
  • Sirves - you serve.
  • Sirve - he/she serves.
  • Servimos - we serve.
  • Servís - you serve.
  • Sirven - they serve.
Illustrative background for Repetir - to repeatIllustrative background for Repetir - to repeat ?? "content

Repetir - to repeat

  • Repito - I repeat.
  • Repites - you repeat.
  • Repite - he/she repeats.
  • Repetimos - we repeat.
  • Repetís - you repeat.
  • Repiten - they repeat.
Illustrative background for Medir - to measureIllustrative background for Medir - to measure ?? "content

Medir - to measure

  • Mido - I measure.
  • Mides - you measure.
  • Mide - he/she measures.
  • Medimos - we measure.
  • Medís - you measure.
  • Miden - they measure.
Illustrative background for Seguir - to followIllustrative background for Seguir - to follow ?? "content

Seguir - to follow

  • Sigo - I follow.
  • Sigues - you follow.
  • Sigue - he /she follows.
  • Seguimos - we follow.
  • Seguís - you follow.
  • Siguen - they follow.
Illustrative background for Pedir - to askIllustrative background for Pedir - to ask ?? "content

Pedir - to ask

  • Pido - I ask.
  • Pides - you ask.
  • Pide - he/she asks.
  • Pedimos - we ask.
  • Pedís - you ask.
  • Piden - they ask.

Stem Changing Verbs (O → UE)

In Spanish in the present tense some IR verbs change when conjugated. The 'o' in the infinitive becomes 'ue'. This does NOT happen in the 'vosotros' and 'nosotros' forms. Derivatives of these verbs follow the same pattern.

Illustrative background for Stem changes O → UEIllustrative background for Stem changes O → UE ?? "content

Stem changes O → UE

  • When conjugated these IR verbs change from their infinitive form.
  • The 'o' in the infinitive changes to 'ue' when conjugated.
    • E.g. Morir (to die) becomes 'muero' (I die).
    • E.g. Muero, mueres, muere, morimos, morís, mueren.
Illustrative background for Dormir - to sleepIllustrative background for Dormir - to sleep ?? "content

Dormir - to sleep

  • Duermo (I sleep).
  • Duermes (you sleep).
  • Duerme (he/she sleeps).
  • Dormimos (we sleep).
  • Dormís (you sleep).
  • Duermen (they sleep).
Illustrative background for Morir - to dieIllustrative background for Morir - to die ?? "content

Morir - to die

  • Muero (I die).
  • Mueres (you die).
  • Muere (he/she dies).
  • Morimos (we die).
  • Morís (you die).
  • Mueren (they die).

Jump to other topics

1Los valores tradicionales y modernos

2El ciberespacio

3La igualdad de los sexos

4La inmigración

5El racismo

6La convivencia

7La influencia de los ídolos

8La identidad regional en España

9El patrimonio cultural

10El Laberinto del Fauno

11Nouns

12Articles

12.1Definite & Indefinite

12.2El with Feminine Nouns

12.3Lo + Adjective

13Adjectives

13.1Agreement

13.2Position

13.3Apocopation

13.4Comparative & Superlative

13.5Use of Adjectives as Nouns

13.6Demonstrative

13.7Indefinite

13.8Possessive

13.9Interrogative & Exclamative

13.10Relative

14Numerals & Quantifiers

15Pronouns

15.1Subject

15.2Object: Direct & Indirect

15.3Reflexive

15.4Unstressed & Stressed Forms

15.5Position & Order

15.6Relative

15.7Demonstrative

15.8Indefinite

15.9Possessive

15.10Interrogative

16Verbs

16.1Regular Conjugations

16.2Regular & Irregular Verbs

16.3Agreement of Verb & Subject

16.4Use of Hay Que in All Tenses

16.5Present Tense

16.6Preterite Tense

16.7Imperfect Tense

16.8Future Tense

16.9Conditional Tense

16.10Perfect Tense

16.11Future Perfect Tense

16.12Conditional Perfect Tense

16.13Pluperfect Tense

16.14Infinitive, Gerund & Past Participle

16.15Verbal Paraphrases

16.16Use of the Subjunctive

16.17Commands

16.18Conditional Sentences

16.19After Conjunctions of Time

16.20After Para Que, Sin Que

16.21In Relative Clauses

16.22After Other Subordinating Conjunctions

16.23With Verbs of Wishing & Commanding

16.24Sequence of Tense in Indirect Speech

16.25Voice

16.26Use of the Reflexives as a Passive

16.27Use of the Reflexive to Express an Impersonal

16.28Use of Ser + Past Participle

16.29Use of Estar + Past Participle

16.30'Nuance' Reflexive Verbs

16.31Modes of Address

16.32Constructions with Verbs

16.33Verbs Followed by an Infinitive

17Prepositions & Conjunctions

17.1All Prepositions

17.2'Personal' a

17.3Discrimination of Por and Para

17.4Coordinating Conjunctions

17.5Subordinating Conjunctions

17.6Use of Que to Introduce a Clause

18Negation, Questions & Commands

18.1Negation

19Word Order, Other Constructions & Discourse Marker

19.1Subject Following Verb

19.2Focalisation

19.3Time Expressions with Hace/Hacía

19.4Cleft Sentences

19.5Comparative Constructions

19.6Indirect Speech

19.7Discourse Markers

Go student ad image

Unlock your full potential with GoStudent tutoring

  • Affordable 1:1 tutoring from the comfort of your home

  • Tutors are matched to your specific learning needs

  • 30+ school subjects covered

Book a free trial lesson