Instruction: Spanish Subjunctive – Irregular Stem Changing Verbs
In the present subjunctive, many verbs experience a change in their stem when conjugated. This change typically occurs in verbs that are already irregular in the present (indicative) tense. These irregular stem-changing verbs can be grouped into three categories based on how their stems change and whether the change affects all forms or only specific ones.
Understanding how these stem changes work is important for accurately conjugating these verbs in the subjunctive mood. In this lesson, we will explore stem-changing verbs categorized into three groups: regular stem-changing (boot verbs), exceptions to stem-changing patterns (boot with non-boot changes), and verbs with stem changes in all forms.
1. Regular Subjunctive Stem-Changing Verbs (Boot Verbs)
“Boot verbs” are named because the stem change occurs in all forms except for the nosotros and vosotros forms. When conjugated in the subjunctive, these verbs experience a vowel change in the stem in the same way as they do in the present tense (indicative). Look at the diagram below. The boot verb stems will change in the positions below (with an “X”).
Subjunctive Stem-Changing Pattern: e → ie
Examples:
- Cerrar (to close):
|
Yo |
cierre (So that) I close |
Nosotros |
cerremos (So that) we close |
|
Tú (Juana, Juan) |
cierres (So that) you close |
Vosotros (informal Spain) |
cerréis (So that) you all close |
|
Él/Ella/Ud. (Sra./Dr. García) |
cierre (So that) he/she/you close |
Ellos/Ellas/Uds. |
cierren (So that) they/you all close |
- Perder (to lose):
|
Yo |
pierda (So that) I lose |
Nosotros |
perdamos (So that) we lose |
|
Tú (Juana, Juan) |
pierdas (So that) you lose |
Vosotros (informal Spain) |
perdáis (So that) you all lose |
|
Él/Ella/Ud. (Sra./Dr. García) |
pierda (So that) he/she/you lose |
Ellos/Ellas/Uds. |
pierdan (So that) they/you all lose |
Example Sentences:
Cerrar (to close):
- Es importante que tú cierres la puerta para que no entre el frío. (It’s important that you close the door so the cold doesn’t get in.)
- Quiero que él cierre la ventana antes de que empiece a llover. (I want him to close the window before it starts raining.)
Perder (to lose):
- Es posible que nosotros perdamos el tren si no salimos ya. (It’s possible that we’ll miss the train if we don’t leave now.)
- Espero que no pierdas la oportunidad de viajar. (I hope you don’t miss the opportunity to travel.)
Subjunctive Stem-Changing Pattern: o → ue
Examples:
- Contar (to count, to tell):
|
Yo |
cuente (So that) I count |
Nosotros |
contemos (So that) we count |
|
Tú (Juana, Juan) |
cuentes (So that) you count |
Vosotros (informal Spain) |
contéis (So that) you all count |
|
Él/Ella/Ud. (Sra./Dr. García) |
cuente (So that) he/she/you count |
Ellos/Ellas/Uds. |
cuenten (So that) they/you all count |
- Volver (to return):
|
Yo |
vuelva (So that) I return |
Nosotros |
volvamos (So that) we return |
|
Tú (Juana, Juan) |
vuelvas (So that) you return |
Vosotros (informal Spain) |
volváis (So that) you all return |
|
Él/Ella/Ud. (Sra./Dr. García) |
vuelva (So that) he/she/you return |
Ellos/Ellas/Uds. |
vuelvan (So that) they/you all return |
Example Sentences
Contar (to count, to tell):
- Quiero que tú cuentes las monedas antes de pagar. (I want you to count the coins before paying.)
- Es importante que él cuente su experiencia en la reunión. (It’s important that he tells about his experience in the meeting.)
Volver (to return):
- Dudo que ellos vuelvan a tiempo para la cena. (I doubt they will return in time for dinner.)
- Es necesario que nosotros volvamos al hotel antes de las diez. (It’s necessary that we return to the hotel before ten.)
2. Exceptions to Regular Stem-Changing Verbs
Some stem-changing verbs follow the boot pattern, but with additional changes in the nosotros and vosotros forms. These exceptions are important to recognize because they don’t fit the standard boot pattern entirely.
Stem-Changing Pattern: e → ie (with “i” in non-boot forms)
Examples:
- Sentir (to feel):
|
Yo |
sienta (So that) I feel |
Nosotros |
sintamos (So that) we feel |
|
Tú (Juana, Juan) |
sientas (So that) you feel |
Vosotros (informal Spain) |
sintáis (So that) you all feel |
|
Él/Ella/Ud. (Sra./Dr. García) |
sienta (So that) he/she/you feel |
Ellos/Ellas/Uds. |
sientan (So that) they/you all feel |
Subjunctive Stem-Changing Pattern: o → ue (with “u” in non-boot forms)
Examples:
- Dormir (to sleep):
|
Yo |
duerma (So that) I sleep |
Nosotros |
durmamos (So that) we sleep |
|
Tú (Juana, Juan) |
duermas (So that) you sleep |
Vosotros (informal Spain) |
durmáis (So that) you all sleep |
|
Él/Ella/Ud. (Sra./Dr. García) |
duerma (So that) he/she/you sleep |
Ellos/Ellas/Uds. |
duerman (So that) they/you all sleep |
Example Sentences
Sentir (to feel):
- Espero que tú sientas el mismo entusiasmo por el proyecto. (I hope you feel the same enthusiasm for the project.)
- Es posible que ellos sientan nostalgia durante el viaje. (It’s possible that they will feel nostalgic during the trip.)
Dormir (to sleep):
- Es importante que tú duermas lo suficiente antes del examen. (It’s important that you sleep enough before the exam.)
- Dudo que nosotros durmamos bien en el autobús. (I doubt that we will sleep well on the bus.)
3. Verbs with Stem Changes in All Forms
A small group of verbs has stem changes that occur in all forms, including nosotros and vosotros. This means that these verbs do not follow the boot pattern at all.
Stem-Changing Pattern: e → i
Examples:
- Pedir (to ask for, to request):
|
Yo |
pida (So that) I ask for |
Nosotros |
pidamos (So that) we ask for |
|
Tú (Juana, Juan) |
pidas (So that) you ask for |
Vosotros (informal Spain) |
pidáis (So that) you all ask for |
|
Él/Ella/Ud. (Sra./Dr. García) |
pida (So that) he/she/you ask for |
Ellos/Ellas/Uds. |
pidan (So that) they/you all ask for |
Example Sentences
Pedir (to ask for, to request):
- Quiero que tú pidas ayuda si tienes algún problema. (I want you to ask for help if you have any problem.)
- Es importante que ellos pidan la opinión del experto. (It’s important that they ask for the expert’s opinion.)
Conclusion
Irregular stem-changing verbs in the present subjunctive can be tricky, but by understanding the different categories—regular stem changes (boot verbs), exceptions, and verbs with changes in all forms—you can effectively use these verbs in a variety of contexts. Practice conjugating and using these verbs in sentences to build your confidence and fluency in the subjunctive mood!