IRREGULAR PRESENT TENSE VERBS Pattern: Some verbs do not follow the regular pattern. These irregular verbs are not always predictable, but some follow an irregular pattern, such as stem-changing verbs. Others must simply be memorized. Stem-Changing Verbs In a regular verb, only the ending of the verb changes when you conjugate it. With stem changing verbs, the verb stem will sometimes change a little bit as well. It is important to note that these verbs do not have a stem change in the nosotros and vosotros forms. There are three common types of stem-changing verbs: O-UE, E-IE, and E-I. There are some rare verbs that stem-change from I-IE (adquirir - to acquire), from U-UE (jugar – to play), and from OHUE (oler – to smell). This lesson will focus on the more common stem-changing verbs. O-UE Most verbs that undergo a stem-change from o to ue (such as dormir [to sleep]) still use the regular verb endings in the present tense. They simply undergo a stem change in all forms except nosotros and vosotros. The following chart shows the present tense conjugation of the verb dormir: Dormir duermo dormimos duermes dormís duerme duermen E-IE Most verbs that undergo a stem-change from e to ie (such as comenzar [to begin]) still use the regular verb endings in the present tense. They simply undergo a stem change in all forms except nosotros and vosotros. The following chart shows the present tense conjugation of the verb comenzar: Comenzar comienzo comenzamos comienzas comenzáis comienza comienzan E-I All verbs that undergo a stem-change from e to i (such as pedir [to ask for]) are -IR verbs, and still use the regular verb endings in the present tense. They simply undergo a stem change in all forms except nosotros and vosotros. The following chart shows the present tense conjugation of the verb pedir: Pedir pido pedimos pides pedís pide piden Irregular yo forms Some irregular verbs change in the yo form. Here is a sample list: Infinitive verb Irregular yo form “go” verbs tener (e-ie) tengo hacer hago poner pongo decir (e-i) digo salir salgo venir (e-ie) vengo seguir (e-ie)(gu-g) sigo oir (i-y) oigo “oy” verbs dar estar doy estoy c-zc verbs conocer producir conozco produzco g-j verbs escoger escojo dirigir dirijo Note: Spelling changes like this are done to preserve the sound of the verb. Ser and Ir Ser and Ir are two of the most common verbs in Spanish. They are also very irregular. They must simply be memorized. Ser yo soy nosotros somos tú eres vosotros sois él, ella, usted es ellos, ellas, ustedes son Ir yo voy nosotros vamos tú vas vosotros vais él, ella, usted va ellos, ellas, ustedes van