The document discusses stem-changing verbs in Spanish. It explains that in stem-changing verbs, the stressed vowel of the verb stem changes when conjugated. The main stem changes are e to ie, as in empezar, and o to ue, as in volver. Examples of common stem-changing verbs and their conjugations are provided. Jugar is noted as the only verb with a u to ue stem change.

1. 4.2 Stem-changing verbs: e → ie, o →
ue
ANTE TODO
 Stem-changing verbs deviate from the normal pattern of
regular verbs.
 In stem-changing verbs, the stressed vowel of the stem
changes when the verb is conjugated.
INFINITIVE → VERB STEM → STEM CHANGE → CONJUGATED FORM
empezar empez- empiez- empiezo
volver volv- vuelv- vuelvo

2. 4.2 Stem-changing verbs: e → ie, o →
ue
 In many verbs, such as empezar (to begin), the stem
vowel changes from e to ie. Note that the nosotros/as
and vosotros/as forms don’t have a stem change.
empezar (e:ie)
SINGULAR FORMS
yo empiezo
tú empiezas
Ud. / él / ella empieza
PLURAL FORMS
nosotros/as empezamos
vosotros/as empezáis
Uds. / ellos / ellas empiezan

3. 4.2 Stem-changing verbs: e → ie, o →
ue
 In many other verbs, such as volver (to return), the
stem vowel changes from o to ue. The nosotros/as
and vosotros/as forms have no stem change.
volver (o:ue)
SINGULAR FORMS
yo vuelvo
tú vuelves
Ud. / él / ella vuelve
PLURAL FORMS
nosotros/as volvemos
vosotros/as volvéis
Uds. / ellos / ellas vuelven

4. 4.2 Stem-changing verbs: e → ie, o →
ue
 To help you identify stem-changing verbs, they will
appear as follows throughout the text:
empezar (e:ie), volver (o:ue)

5. 4.2 Stem-changing verbs: e → ie, o →
ue
Common stem-changing verbs
e:ie
cerrar to close
comenzar (a+inf.) to begin
empezar (a+inf.) to begin
entender to understand
pensar (+inf.) to think
perder to lose; to miss
preferir (+inf.) to prefer
querer (+inf.) to want; to love

6. 4.2 Stem-changing verbs: e → ie, o →
ue
Common stem-changing verbs
o:ue
almorzar to have lunch
contar to count; to tell
dormir to sleep
encontrar to find
mostrar to show
poder (+inf.) to be able; can
recordar to remember
volver to return

7. 4.2 Stem-changing verbs: e → ie, o →
ue
 Jugar (to play a sport or game), is the only Spanish
verb that has a u:ue stem change.
 Jugar is followed by a + [definite article] when the
name of a sport or game is mentioned.
— Oye, Maite, ¿por qué no jugamos al fútbol?
Aléx y el joven juegan al fútbol.

8. 4.2 Stem-changing verbs: e → ie, o →
ue
 Comenzar and empezar require the preposition a
when they are followed by an infinitive.
Comienzan a jugar a las siete.
They begin playing at seven.
Ana empieza a escribir una postal.
Ana starts to write a postcard.

9. 4.2 Stem-changing verbs: e → ie, o →
ue
 Pensar + [infinitive] means to plan or to intend to do
something.
 Pensar en means to think about someone or something.
— ¿Piensan ir al gimnasio?
Are you planning to go to the gym?
— ¿En qué piensas?
What are you thinking about?

10. 4.2 Stem-changing verbs: e → ie, o →
ue
¡INTÉNTALO! Provide the present tense forms of these verbs.
cerrar (e:ie) dormir (o:ue)
1. Ustedes ___. 1. Mi abuela no ___.
2.Tú ___. 2. Yo no ___ .
3. Nosotras ___. 3. Tú no ___ .
4. Mi hermano ___. 4. Mis hijos no ___.
5. Yo ___. 5. Usted no ___.
6. Usted ___. 6. Nosotros no ___.
7. Los chicos ___. 7. Él no ___.
8. Ella ___. 8. Ustedes no ___.

11. 4.2 Stem-changing verbs: e → ie, o →
ue
Answer Key
cerrar (e:ie) dormir (o:ue)
1. Ustedes cierran. 1. Mi abuela no duerme.
2.Tú cierras. 2. Yo no duermo.
3. Nosotras cerramos. 3. Tú no duermes .
4. Mi hermano cierra. 4. Mis hijos no duermen.
5. Yo cierro. 5. Usted no duerme.
6. Usted cierra. 6. Nosotros no dormimos.
7. Los chicos cierran. 7. Él no duerme.
8. Ella cierra. 8. Ustedes no duermen.