6.1.8

Irregular ER Verbs

Test yourself

Stem Changing ER Verbs (E → IE)

In Spanish, some ER verbs change when conjugated with the 'e' in the infinitive becoming 'ie'. This does NOT happen in the 'vosotros' and 'nosotros' forms.

Illustrative background for E → IEIllustrative background for E → IE ?? "content

E → IE

  • Some ER verbs change the E in infinitive to IE when conjugated.
    • E.g. Entender (to understand) → entiendo (I understand).
Illustrative background for Perder - to loseIllustrative background for Perder - to lose ?? "content

Perder - to lose

  • Pierdo - I lose.
  • Pierdes - you lose.
  • Pierde - he/she loses.
  • Perdemos - we lose.
  • Perdéis - you lose.
  • Pierden - they lose.
Illustrative background for Querer - to wantIllustrative background for Querer - to want ?? "content

Querer - to want

  • Quiero - I want.
  • Quieres - you want.
  • Quiere - he/she wants.
  • Queremos - we want.
  • Queréis - you want.
  • Quieren - they want.
Illustrative background for Encender - to turn on (lights, TV)Illustrative background for Encender - to turn on (lights, TV) ?? "content

Encender - to turn on (lights, TV)

  • Enciendo - I turn on.
  • Enciendes - you turn on.
  • Enciende - he/she turns on.
  • Encendemos - we turn on.
  • Encendéis - you (plural) turn on.
  • Encieden - they turn on.

Stem Changing ER Verbs (O → UE)

In Spanish, some ER verbs change when conjugated in the present tense, with the 'o' in the infinitive becoming 'ue'. This does NOT happen in the 'vosotros' and 'nosotros' forms.

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

O → UE

  • These ER verbs change from an O in the infinitive to UE in the present tense.
    • E.g. Soler (to regularly do something ) → suelo (I regularly do something).
Illustrative background for Llover - to rainIllustrative background for Llover - to rain ?? "content

Llover - to rain

  • Llueve - it rains.
    • This verb is only used in the 3rd person singular form.
Illustrative background for Volver - to returnIllustrative background for Volver - to return ?? "content

Volver - to return

  • Vuelvo - I return.
  • Vuelves - you return.
  • Vuelve - he/she returns.
  • Volvemos - we return.
  • Volvéis - you return.
  • Vuelven - they return.
Illustrative background for Poder - to be able toIllustrative background for Poder - to be able to ?? "content

Poder - to be able to

  • Puedo - I am able to.
  • Puedes - you are able to.
  • Puede - he/she is able to.
  • Podemos - we are able to.
  • Podéis - you are able to.
  • Pueden - they are able to.

Irregular ER verbs in the Preterite Tense

In the preterite tense, there are lots of verbs that change their stem or follow a different pattern to regular verbs. Here are some examples for ER verbs:

Illustrative background for Stem spelling change (i → y)Illustrative background for Stem spelling change (i → y) ?? "content

Stem spelling change (i → y)

  • In the preterite tense, some verbs change their spelling.
  • This only happens in the 'él/ella' and the 'ellos/ellas' forms - the other forms gain an accent on the 'i'.
  • For example, leer (to read):
    • Leí - I read.
    • Leíste - you read.
    • Leyó - she read.
    • Leímos - we read.
    • Leísteis - you read.
    • Leyeron - they read.
Illustrative background for Ser (to be) & Ir (to go)Illustrative background for Ser (to be) & Ir (to go) ?? "content

Ser (to be) & Ir (to go)

  • Ser and ir have the same conjugation in the preterite tense.
  • They have a completely irregular stem in the preterite tense.
    • Fui - I was/went.
    • Fuiste - you were/went.
    • Fue - he/she/it was/went.
    • Fuimos - we were/went.
    • Fuisteis - you (plural) were/went.
    • Fueron - they were/went.
Illustrative background for Ver (to see)Illustrative background for Ver (to see) ?? "content

Ver (to see)

  • In the preterite tense, ver changes its vowel from 'e' to 'i'.
    • Vi - I saw.
    • Viste - you (singular) saw.
    • Vio - he/she/it saw.
    • Vimos - we saw.
    • Visteis - you (plural) saw.
    • Vieron - they saw.
Illustrative background for Tener (to have)Illustrative background for Tener (to have) ?? "content

Tener (to have)

  • In the preterite tense, tener adds 'uv' to its stem.
    • Tuve - I had.
    • Tuviste - you had.
    • Tuvo - he/she had.
    • Tuvimos - we had.
    • Tuvisteis - you had.
    • Tuvieron - they had.
Illustrative background for Querer (to want)Illustrative background for Querer (to want) ?? "content

Querer (to want)

  • In the preterite tense, querer changes 'er' to 'is' in the stem before the ending.
    • Quise - I wanted.
    • Quisiste - you wanted.
    • Quiso - he/she wanted.
    • Quisimos - we wanted.
    • Quisisteis - you wanted.
    • Quisieron - they wanted.

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

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