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2.3.0: Gramática

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    284276

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    Conjugación

    All Spanish verbs have a stem (la raíz) and an ending (-ar / -er / -ir).

    Parts of a Stem Changing Verb
    Verb Stem Ending
    Pensar pens ar
    Volver volv er
    Pedir ped ir

    These verbs belong to a large group of verbs that change their stem in the present tense and fall into one of these three different types of changes in their stem:

    • e → ie;
    • o/u → ue;
    • e → i

    It is important to note that not all stem-changing verbs change for all subjects. To help you remember where the changes take place, we have a trick! Think of the verbs as being in the shape of a boot (see illustration below). The only forms that change are those inside the boot.

    Which subjects require a stem change?

    Let’s have a look at almorzar (to eat lunch):

    Stem Changing Verbs.png

    Spanish 'o' to 'ue' stem changing verbs Attribution: By deborahroe

    Notice that the verb conjugation endings are the same normal endings you learning in Spanish 107 for AR, ER, and IR verbs - the only difference now is that the verbs listed below require stem changes inside the boot.

    ¡Ojo!

    Verbs with stems changes only occur in the following forms inside the boot:

    • Yo
    • Él, ella, usted
    • Ellos, ellas, ustedes


    Verbos

    Stem-changing Verbs: o/u → ue

    Stem-changing Verbs: o/u → ue
    almorzar to have lunch
    acostarse to go to bed
    costar to cost
    dormir to sleep
    dormirse to fall asleep
    encontrar to find
    jugar* to play a game or sport
    mostrar to show
    poder to be able to
    probar to taste/ to try on
    volver to come back/return

    *Jugar is the only u → ue stem change in this section. All the other verbs have a o → ue stem change inside the boot.

     

    Nota

    In Spanish, use the construction "Jugar + a + sport" to talk about playing a sport.

    Remember that in Spanish, when "a" is followed by "el", we need the contraction "al".

    • Me gusta jugar al (a + el) béisbol.

     

    Based on the rules discussed, conjugate the verb poder. Write the forms next to the person. One has been done for you.

    Poder
    yo puedo nosotros
    vosotros
    él/ella/usted ellos/as /ustedes

     

    Nota

    In Spanish, the verb poder is used in the same way as the modal can in English, to express you have the ability to do something, or, due to specific circumstances, you are able to do something. Like can, it is followed by a verb in the infinitive.

    Have a look at these examples from Aimar’s email:

    Modelo:

    Estoy enferma y no puedo ir a la clase de química hoy. ¿Me puedes pasar tus notas?

     


    This page titled 2.3.0: Gramática is shared under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by .

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