8.1.6

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 'nosotros' and 'vosotros' 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 / you lose (formal).
  • Perdemos - we lose.
  • Perdéis - you lose (plural).
  • Pierden - they lose / you lose (formal plural).
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 / you want (formal).
  • Queremos - we want.
  • Queréis - you want (plural).
  • Quieren - they want / you want (formal plural).

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 'nosotros' and 'vosotros' 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. Recordar (to remember) → recuerdo (I remember).
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 / you return (formal).
  • Volvemos - we return.
  • Volvéis - you return (plural).
  • Vuelven - they return / you return (formal plural).
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 / you are able to (formal).
  • Podemos - we are able to.
  • Podéis - you are able to (plural).
  • Pueden - they are able to / you are able to (formal plural).

Jump to other topics

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

Unlock your full potential with Seneca Premium

  • Unlimited access to 10,000+ open-ended exam questions

  • Mini-mock exams based on your study history

  • Unlock 800+ premium courses & e-books

Get started with Seneca Premium