6.1.4

Irregular AR Verbs

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Stem Changing AR Verbs (E → IE)

When conjugating some AR verbs in the present tense, the 'e' in the infinitive becomes 'ie'. This does NOT happen in the 'vosotros' and 'nosotros' forms.

Illustrative background for Cerrar - to closeIllustrative background for Cerrar - to close ?? "content

Cerrar - to close

  • Cierro - I close.
  • Cierras - you close.
  • Cierra - he/she closes.
  • Cerramos - we close.
  • Cerráis - you close.
  • Cierran - they close.
Illustrative background for Comenzar - to startIllustrative background for Comenzar - to start ?? "content

Comenzar - to start

  • Comienzo - I start.
  • Comienzas - you start.
  • Comienza - he/she starts.
  • Comenzamos - we start.
  • Comenzáis - you start.
  • Comienzan - they start.
Illustrative background for Empezar - to beginIllustrative background for Empezar - to begin ?? "content

Empezar - to begin

  • Empiezo - I begin.
  • Empiezas - you begin.
  • Empieza - he/she begins.
  • Empezamos - we begin.
  • Empezáis - you begin.
  • Empiezan - they begin.
Illustrative background for Pensar - to thinkIllustrative background for Pensar - to think ?? "content

Pensar - to think

  • Pienso - I think.
  • Piensas - you think.
  • Piensa - he/she thinks.
  • Pensamos - we think.
  • Pensáis - you think.
  • Piensan - they think.
Illustrative background for Nevar - to snow, Helar - to freezeIllustrative background for Nevar - to snow, Helar - to freeze ?? "content

Nevar - to snow, Helar - to freeze

  • Nieva - It snows.
    • This verb is only used in the 3rd person singular form.
  • Hiela - It freezes.
    • This verb is only used in the 3rd person singular form.
Illustrative background for Other verbs that follow this patternIllustrative background for Other verbs that follow this pattern ?? "content

Other verbs that follow this pattern

  • Merendar - to have a snack, to have a picnic.
  • Recomendar - to recommend.
  • Sentarse - to sit.
  • Negar - to deny.

Stem Changing AR Verbs (O → UE)

In Spanish in the present tense some AR 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

  • 'Soñar' (to dream) becomes 'sueño' (I dream).
  • 'Encontrar' (to find) becomes 'encuentro' (I find).
Illustrative background for Soñar - to dreamIllustrative background for Soñar - to dream ?? "content

Soñar - to dream

  • Sueño - I dream.
  • Sueñas - you dream.
  • Sueña - He/she dreams.
  • Soñamos - we dream.
  • Soñáis - you dream.
  • Sueñan - they dream.
Illustrative background for Aprobar - to approveIllustrative background for Aprobar - to approve ?? "content

Aprobar - to approve

  • Apruebo - I approve.
  • Apruebas - you approve.
  • Aprueba - he/she approves.
  • Aprobamos - we approve.
  • Aprobáis - you approve.
  • Aprueban - they approve.
Illustrative background for Costar - to be difficult, costIllustrative background for Costar - to be difficult, cost ?? "content

Costar - to be difficult, cost

  • Cuesto - I am difficult.
  • Cuestas - you are difficult.
  • Cuesta - he/she is difficult.
  • Costamos - we are difficult.
  • Costáis - you are difficult.
  • Cuestan - they are difficult.
Illustrative background for Mostrar - to showIllustrative background for Mostrar - to show ?? "content

Mostrar - to show

  • Muestro - I show.
  • Muestras - you show.
  • Muestra - he/she shows.
  • Mostramos - we show.
  • Mostráis - you show.
  • Muestran - they show.
Illustrative background for Verbs that follow this pattern:Illustrative background for Verbs that follow this pattern: ?? "content

Verbs that follow this pattern:

  • Volar - to fly.
  • Recordar - to remember.
  • Colgar - to put (photos on social media)
  • Almorzar - to have lunch.
  • Encontrar - to find.
  • Probar - to try/taste.
  • Acordar - to agree on.
  • Contar - to count/tell.

Jump to other topics

1The Basics

2Current & Future Study & Employment

3Identity & Culture

3.1Me, My Family & Friends

3.2Me, My Family & Friends - Translations

3.3Technology in Everyday Life

3.4Technology in Everyday Life - Translations

3.5Free Time Activities

3.6Free Time Activities - Translations

3.7Customs & Festivals in Spanish Speaking Countries

3.8Customs & Festivals - Translations

4Areas of Interest

4.1Home, Town, Neighbourhood & Region

4.2Home, Town, Neighbourhood & Region - Translations

4.3Social Issues

4.4Social Issues - Translations

4.5Global Issues

4.6Global Issues - Translations

4.7Travel & Tourism

4.8Travel & Tourism - Translations

5Listening Practice

6Common Tenses

7Important Verbs

8Advanced Tenses

9Extra Grammar

9.1Articles

9.2Negatives

9.3Nouns

9.4Asking Questions

9.5Adjectives

9.6Adverbs

9.7Conjunctions

9.8Pronouns

9.9By, With, From, Of

9.10Verbs

9.11Comparisons

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