E to IE Stem-changing -IR Verbs Gerunds

In Spanish, some -IR verbs undergo a stem change from E to IE in certain conjugations. This article focuses on how these verbs behave when forming gerunds, which are verb forms ending in -ando or -iendo.

Key Points

  1. Stem-changing verbs in the infinitive form have an ‘e’ in the second-to-last syllable.
  2. In conjugations, this ‘e’ changes to ‘ie’ in all persons except nosotros and vosotros.
  3. However, when forming gerunds, the stem change does not occur.

Common E to IE Stem-changing -IR Verbs

  • Mentir (to lie)
  • Sentir (to feel)
  • Preferir (to prefer)
  • Advertir (to warn)
  • Convertir (to convert)

Gerund Formation

To form the gerund of these verbs:

  1. Remove the -IR ending
  2. Add -IENDO
  3. Do not change the stem

Examples

  1. Mentir (to lie)
    • Infinitive: mentir
    • Gerund: mintiendo (NOT “mientiendo”)
  2. Sentir (to feel)
    • Infinitive: sentir
    • Gerund: sintiendo (NOT “sientiendo”)
  3. Preferir (to prefer)
    • Infinitive: preferir
    • Gerund: prefiriendo (NOT “prefiriendo”)

Usage in Sentences

  1. Estoy mintiendo para proteger tu sorpresa. (I am lying to protect your surprise.)
  2. Sigo sintiendo dolor en la espalda. (I keep feeling pain in my back.)
  3. Estamos prefiriendo quedarnos en casa hoy. (We are preferring to stay home today.)

Conclusion

While E to IE stem-changing -IR verbs undergo changes in many conjugations, their gerunds maintain the original ‘e’ in the stem. This rule helps simplify the formation of gerunds for these verbs.

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