Stem-Changing ("Boot") Verbs

All verbs must change their endings to match the person performing the action.

Some verbs additionally change one of the vowels in their stems.

These are called Stem-Changing Verbs (aka "Boot" Verbs).

Match the person to the kind of verb change:

Groups:

(a) The endings change (nothing else)

,

(b) The endings AND the stem change

• ellos

• ustedes

• usted

• yo

• nosotras

• vosotros

• tú

• vosotras

• ella

• nosotros

• él

• ellas

Pensar (e > ie): "to think"

I think: Yo​ (a)   | we think: Nosotros​ (b)  

she thinks: ella (c)   | they think: ellos​ (d)  

• pienso
• pensamos
• piensan
• piensa

Pensar (e > ie): to think

you think: tú​ (a)   | you (plural) think: vosotros​ (b)  

you (formal) think: Ud.​ (c)   | you (formal, plural) think: Uds.​ (d)  

• piensas
• pensáis
• piensa
• piensan

Querer (e > ie): "to want"

¿Cómo se dice, "I want Taco Bell!"?

¡Yo ______ Taco Bell!

Preferir (e>ie): "to prefer"

¿Cómo se dice, "Do you prefer blue or green socks?"

¿ _________ tú medias azules o medias verdes?

Almorzar (o > ue): to eat lunch

I eat lunch: Yo _______

Poder (o > ue): Can, to be able to

Can I go to the bathroom? = ¿ _____ (yo) ir al baño?

Dormir (o > ue): to sleep

I sleep with many pillows. = Yo _____ con muchas almohadas.

Jugar (u > ue): to play

I play videogames with my friends = Yo _____ videojuegos con mis amigos.

Repetir (e > i): to repeat

The teacher repeats the instructions = La profesora ______ las instrucciones.