IRREGULAR PRESENT TENSE VERBS Pattern: Some

IRREGULAR PRESENT TENSE VERBS Pattern: Some

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), from U-UE (jugar), and from O-HUE (oler). 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