Certain Spanish verbs ending in “-ir” undergo a special transformation: the “e” within the stem changes to an “i” when conjugated in specific forms. This change is crucial for accurate communication.
The Golden Rule
- The “e” transforms to an “i” in all conjugated forms EXCEPT for “nosotros” and “vosotros.”
- This change ONLY occurs in the stressed syllable of the verb.
Conjugation Blueprint: “pedir” (to ask for)
| Subject Pronoun | Conjugation of “pedir” |
|---|---|
| yo | pido |
| tú | pides |
| él/ella/usted | pide |
| nosotros/as | pedimos |
| vosotros/as | pedís |
| ellos/ellas/ustedes | piden |
Top 10 E to I Stem-Changing Verbs
- pedir (to ask for)
- servir (to serve)
- repetir (to repeat)
- seguir (to follow, to continue)
- vestir(se) (to dress, to wear)
- medir (to measure)
- conseguir (to get, to obtain)
- elegir (to choose)
- corregir (to correct)
- reír (to laugh)
Real-Life Examples
- Yo pido un café con leche. (I ask for a coffee with milk.)
- Ella se viste con elegancia. (She dresses elegantly.)
- Ellos repiten el ejercicio. (They repeat the exercise.)
- Nosotros medimos la distancia. (We measure the distance.)
Essential Tips for Mastering E to I Stem Changes
- Focus on the Simple Present: This stem change only applies to the simple present tense and the present subjunctive.
- Regular Verbs in Other Tenses: In other tenses, these verbs follow the standard “-ir” verb conjugation patterns.
- Watch Out for Spelling Surprises: Some verbs, like “seguir,” have additional spelling changes (sigo, sigues, sigue, etc.) to maintain the correct pronunciation.
Synonyms:
- English: E to I Boot Verbs in Simple Present Tense, Present Simple Tense, Present Indefinite Tense, Non-Progressive Present Tense
- Spanish: Verbos de Cambio Radical E a I en Presente simple, Presente simple, Presente de indicativo, Presente de indicativo