8.1.3

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 'nosotros' and 'vosotros' 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 / you close (formal).
  • Cerramos - we close.
  • Cerráis - you close (plural).
  • Cierran - they close / you close (formal plural).
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 / you start (formal).
  • Comenzamos - we start.
  • Comenzáis - you start (plural).
  • Comienzan - they start / you start (formal plural).
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 / you begin (formal).
  • Empezamos - we begin.
  • Empezáis - you begin (plural).
  • Empiezan - they begin / you begin (formal plural).
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 / you think (formal).
  • Pensamos - we think.
  • Pensáis - you think (plural).
  • Piensan - they think / you think (formal plural).
Illustrative background for Nevar - to snowIllustrative background for Nevar - to snow ?? "content

Nevar - to snow

  • 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 an afternoon snack
  • 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 'nosotros' and 'vosotros' 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 / you dream (formal).
  • Soñamos - we dream.
  • Soñáis - you dream (plural).
  • Sueñan - they dream / you dream (formal plural).
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 / you approve (formal).
  • Aprobamos - we approve.
  • Aprobáis - you approve (plural).
  • Aprueban - they approve / you approve (formal plural).
Illustrative background for Costar -costIllustrative background for Costar -cost ?? "content

Costar -cost

  • Cuesta - he/she/it costs.
  • Cuestan - they cost.
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 / you show (formal).
  • Mostramos - we show.
  • Mostráis - you show (plural).
  • Muestran - they show / you show (formal plural).
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.

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1The Basics

2Home & Abroad

3Education & Employment

4Personal Life & Relationships

5The World Around Us

6Social Activities, Fitness & Health

7Listening

8Common Tenses

9Important Verbs

10Advanced Tenses

11Extra Grammar

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