Stem-changing verbs e:i

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The main form of the verb is called the infinitive. The infinitive consists of two parts: the ending and the stem. The ending is the last two letters. There are only three different endings: -ar, -er, and -ir. The stem is everything else, except the ending.

hablar: ending = ar, stem = hablcomer: ending = er, stem = comvivir: ending = ir, stem =viv

Some spanish verbs are called stem-changers because when they are conjugated, the stem changes in a predictable way. In one group of stem-changing verbs, the letter e in the stem changes to i in all but the nosotros and vosotros forms. This particular type of stem-changing verb is found only in -ir verbs.

pedir

yo pidotú pidesél, ella, Ud. pide

nosotros/as pedimosvosotros/as pedís

ellos, ellas, Uds. piden For a more complete discussion of verbs that change e:i click here.

Here are some common e:i stem-changing verbs.

competirto compete

concebirto conceive

despedirto fire

impedirto impede

medirto measure

pedirto ask for

reñirto scold, quarrel

repetirto repeat

servirto serve

teñirto color, dye, stain

vestirto dress