This document discusses stem-changing verbs in Spanish. There are three types of stem-changing verbs: e to ie, o to ue, and e to i. These verbs are called stem-changing because the vowel in the stem changes in certain forms. They are also called shoe verbs because the forms that change fit inside a shoe shape. The document provides examples of stem-changing verbs and explains how to conjugate them by changing the vowel in the stem and adding endings.

1. REFLEXIVE
STEM-CHANGING
SHOE VERBS

2.  There are 3 types of stem-changing verbs:
EIE O  UE EI
 These verbs are called stem-changing
because the vowel in the stem changes.
 perder (eie) / dormir (oue) / vestir
(ei)
 These verbs are called shoe verbs because
the forms that change (YO, TÚ, UD, ÉL, ELLA, UDS,
ELLOS, ELLAS) fit inside a shoe-shaped graphic.
 (The forms that do not change
NOSOTROS/VOSOTROS are outside of the shoe. )

3. Notice that NOSOTROS &VOSOTROS are outside of the shoe!
STEM CHANGING SHOE VERBS
YO
TÚ
USTED
Él
ELLA
NOSOTROS
VOSOTROS
USTEDES
ELLOS
ELLAS

4. WHICH VERBS STEM-CHANGE?
 Stem changing verbs can be -ar -er, or -ir
verbs – their endings are regular when
conjugated!
 There is no way to tell if a verb is a stem-changer.
You have to memorize which
verbs change.
 The infinitive will normally have the
change in parentheses after the verb. Ex.
perderse(eie)
 Still move the SE to the beginning of the
verb.

5. CONJUGATING REFLEXIVE
STEM-CHANGING VERBS
 #1 Move & change SE to match subject
 #2 find the vowel E or O or U in the stem
 #3 change the vowel to the stem change
 (eie, ei, oue)
 #4 add the appropriate conjugation
endings
Reminder – the STEM is the part that is left
when you drop the –AR, -ER, or –IR.
Vestirse = vest- (the STEM)

6. EIE VERBS
Non-reflexive verbs
Cerrar = to close
Empezar = to start
Merendar = to have a snack
Pensar = to think
Querer = to want
Entender = to understand
Preferir = to prefer
Perder = to lose
*there are many more!
Reflexive verbs
Despertarse = to wake up
Divertirse = to enjoy
oneself
Sentirse = to feel
Sentarse = to sit down
Perderse = to get lost

7. QUERER (EIE) = TO WANT
 #1 - find the stem (drop the –ER)
QUERER  QUER-
 #2 - find the vowel in the stem  QUER-
 #3 - change the vowel to the stem change
QUER-  QUIER-
 #4 – add the appropriate endings for –ER verbs
Yo quiero Nosotros queremos
Tú quieres Vosotros queréis
Ud Uds
Él quiere Ellos quieren
Ella Ellas

8. DESPERTARSE(EIE) - TO WAKE UP
 #1 - find the stem (move SE, drop the –AR )
DESPERTARARSE  SE DESPERT-
 #2 - find the vowel in the stem  SE DESPERT-
 #3 - change the vowel to the stem change
SE DESPERT-  SE DESPIERT-
 #4 – add the appropriate endings for –AR verbs
Yo me despierto Nosotros nos
despertamos
Tú te despiertas Vosotros os
despertáis
Ud Uds
Él se despierta Ellos se despiertan
Ella Ellas

9. I. WRITE THE CORRECT FORM OF EACH VERB.
1. Yo (despertarse)
2. Tú (sentarse)
3. Él (divertirse)
4. Ud. (sentirse)
5. Ella (perderse)
6. Nosotros (querer)
7. Vosotros (preferir)
8. Uds. (cerrar)
9. Ellos (empezar)
10. Ellas (entender)
Write these on
the
worksheet–
ask for help if
needed!

10. OUE VERBS
NON-Reflexive verbs
Almorzar = to eat lunch
Contar = to count
Costar = to cost
Dormir = to sleep
Encontrar = to find
Probar = to try/ to taste
Mostrar = to show
Recordar = to remember
Soñar = to dream
Volver = to go back (return)
**jugar = to play (UUE)
Reflexive verbs
Acostarse = to go to bed
Dormirse = to fall asleep
Moverse = to move (your
body)
Morirse = to die

11. DORMIRSE(OUE) - TO FALL SLEEP
 #1 - find the stem (move SE, drop the –IR )
DORMIRSE  SE DORM-
 #2 - find the vowel in the stem  SE DORM-
 #3 - change the vowel to the stem change
SE DORM-  SE DUERM-
 #4 – add the appropriate endings for –IR verbs
Yo me duermo Nosotros nos dormimos
Tú te duermes Vosotros os dormís
Ud Uds
Él se duerme Ellos se duermen
Ella Ellas

12. *JUGAR (UUE) = TO PLAY
 #1 - find the stem (drop the –AR)
JUGAR  JUG-
 #2 - find the vowel in the stem  JUG-
Jugar is a
UUE verb!
 #3 - change the vowel to the stem change
JUG-  JUEG-
 #4 – add the appropriate endings for –AR verbs
Yo juego Nosotros jugamos
Tú juegas Vosotros jugáis
Ud Uds.
Él juega Ellos juegan
Ella Ellas

13. II. WRITE THE CORRECT FORM OF EACH VERB.
1. Yo (dormirse)
2. Tú (acostarse)
3. Él (morirse)
4. Ud. (moverse)
5. Ella (dormirse)
6. Nosotros (probar)
7. Vosotros (volver)
8. Uds. (recordar)
9. Ellos (empezar)
10. Ellas (soñar)
Write these on
the
worksheet–
ask for help if
needed!

14. EI VERBS
*All EI verbs
end with –IR!*
NON-Reflexive Verbs
Servir = to serve
Repetir = to repeat
Pedir = to ask for
Reflexive Verbs
Vestirse = to get dressed

15. VESTIRSE (EI) - TO GET DRESSED
 #1 - find the stem (move SE, drop the –IR )
VESTIRSE  SE VEST-
 #2 - find the vowel in the stem  VEST-
 #3 - change the vowel to the stem change
VEST-  VIST-
 #4 – add the appropriate endings for –IR verbs
Yo me visto Nosotros nos vestimos
Tú te vistes Vosotros os vestís
Ud Uds
Él se viste Ellos se visten
Ella Ellas

16. III. WRITE THE CORRECT FORM OF EACH VERB.
1. Yo (repetir)
2. Tú (servir)
3. Él (vestirse)
4. Ud. (pedir)
5. Ella (repetir)
6. Nosotros (vestirse)
Write these on
the
worksheet–
ask for help if
needed!

17. ¡EL FIN!
Make sure that you write a summary of Stem-changing verbs.