6.1.9

Irregular ER Verbs - First Person Stem Changes

Test yourself

Stem Changes in the First Person Present

Some ER verbs only change their stem in the first person 'yo' form. After this, they follow the same pattern as regular ER verbs.

Illustrative background for Hacer - to do, to makeIllustrative background for Hacer - to do, to make ?? "content

Hacer - to do, to make

  • Hago - I do.
  • Haces - you do.
  • Hace - he/she does.
  • Hacemos - we do.
  • Hacéis - you do.
  • Hacen - they do.
Illustrative background for Poner - to put, to setIllustrative background for Poner - to put, to set ?? "content

Poner - to put, to set

  • Pongo - I put.
  • Pones - you put.
  • Pone - he/she puts.
  • Ponemos - we put.
  • Ponéis - you put.
  • Ponen - they put.
Illustrative background for Traer - to bringIllustrative background for Traer - to bring ?? "content

Traer - to bring

  • Traigo - I bring.
  • Traes - you bring.
  • Trae - he/she brings.
  • Traemos - we bring.
  • Traéis - you bring.
  • Traen - they bring.
Illustrative background for Caerse - to fall, collapseIllustrative background for Caerse - to fall, collapse ?? "content

Caerse - to fall, collapse

  • me caigo - I fall.
  • te caes - you fall.
  • él/ella cae - he/she falls.
  • nos caemos - we fall.
  • vos caéis - you (plural) fall.
  • ellos caen - they fall.
Illustrative background for Other common ER verbs that change in the first personIllustrative background for Other common ER verbs that change in the first person ?? "content

Other common ER verbs that change in the first person

  • Conozco - I know (a person).
  • Parezco - I look like.
  • Agradezco - I thank.
  • Sé - I know (information).

Stem Changes in the First Person

Some ER verbs only change their stem in the first person 'yo' form. After this, they follow the same pattern as regular ER verbs.

Illustrative background for Conocer - to know, meetIllustrative background for Conocer - to know, meet ?? "content

Conocer - to know, meet

  • Conozco - I know.
  • Conoces - you know.
  • Conoce - he/she knows.
  • Conocemos - we know.
  • Conocéis - you know.
  • Conocen - they know.
Illustrative background for Agradecer - to thankIllustrative background for Agradecer - to thank ?? "content

Agradecer - to thank

  • Agradezco - I thank.
  • Agradeces - you thank.
  • Agradece - he/she thanks.
  • Agradecemos - we thank.
  • Agradecéis - you thank.
  • Agradecen - they thank.
Illustrative background for Desaparecer - to disappear Illustrative background for Desaparecer - to disappear  ?? "content

Desaparecer - to disappear

  • Desaparezco - I disappear.
  • Desapareces - you disappear.
  • Desaparece - he/she disappears.
  • Desaparecemos - we disappear.
  • Desaparecéis - you disappear.
  • Desaparecen - they disappear.
Illustrative background for Nacer - to be bornIllustrative background for Nacer - to be born ?? "content

Nacer - to be born

  • Nazco - I am born.
  • Naces - you are born.
  • Nace - he/she is born.
  • Nacemos - we are born.
  • Nacéis - you are born.
  • Nacen - they are born.
Illustrative background for Parecer - to seem, appearIllustrative background for Parecer - to seem, appear ?? "content

Parecer - to seem, appear

  • Parezco - I seem.
  • Pareces - you seem.
  • Parece - he/she/it seems.
  • Parecemos - we seem.
  • Parecéis - you seem.
  • Parecen - they seem.
Illustrative background for Saber - to knowIllustrative background for Saber - to know ?? "content

Saber - to know

  • (Yo) sé - I know.
  • Sabes - you know.
  • Sabe - he/she knows.
  • Sabemos - we know.
  • Sabéis - you know.
  • Saben - they know.

More Irregular ER Verbs in the Preterite Tense

Illustrative background for Stem change (vowel → u)Illustrative background for Stem change (vowel → u) ?? "content

Stem change (vowel → u)

  • In the preterite tense, some vowels change their root vowel to 'u', for example poner (to put), saber (to know) and poder (to be able to).
  • E.g. Poder:
    • Pude - I was able to.
    • Pudiste - you were able to.
    • Pudo - he/she was able to.
    • Pudimos - we were able to.
    • Pudisteis - you were able to.
    • Pudieron - they were able to.
Illustrative background for Stem change (vowel → i) - hacer (to do)Illustrative background for Stem change (vowel → i) - hacer (to do) ?? "content

Stem change (vowel → i) - hacer (to do)

  • In the preterite tense, some vowels change their root vowel to 'i', for example, hacer (to do):
    • Hice - I did.
    • Hiciste - you did.
    • Hizo - he/she did.
    • Hicimos - we did.
    • Hicisteis - you did.
    • Hicieron - they did.
Illustrative background for Stem change (vowel → i) - querer (to want)Illustrative background for Stem change (vowel → i) - querer (to want) ?? "content

Stem change (vowel → i) - querer (to want)

  • In the preterite tense, some vowels change their root vowel to 'i', for example, querer (to want):
    • Quise - I wanted.
    • Quisiste - you wanted.
    • Quiso - he/she wanted.
    • Quisimos - we wanted.
    • Quisisteis - you wanted.
    • Quisieron - they wanted.
Illustrative background for Traer (to bring)Illustrative background for Traer (to bring) ?? "content

Traer (to bring)

  • In the preterite tense, traer adds a 'j' to its stem.
    • Traje - I brought.
    • Trajiste - you (singular) brought.
    • Trajo - he/she brought.
    • Trajimos - we brought.
    • Trajisteis - you (plural) brought.
    • Trajieron - they brought.

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