E to I Stem Changes in Spanish Preterite (Past) Tense

The Spanish Preterite tense is a key tool for describing past events. However, some verbs add a twist with an E to I stem change. Don’t worry, though! This guide will help you conquer this unique conjugation.

When Does the E to I Transformation Happen?

The E to I stem change appears in specific forms of certain verbs in the Preterite tense:

  • Third person singular: él, ella, usted
  • Third person plural: ellos, ellas, ustedes

All other forms stick with the original “e” in the stem.

Conjugation Cheat Sheet

For affected verbs, follow this simple pattern:

  1. él/ella/usted: Replace “e” in the stem with “i”
  2. ellos/ellas/ustedes: Replace “e” in the stem with “i”
  3. All other forms: No change

Let’s use the verb “seguir” (to follow) as an example:

Subject PronounConjugationStem Change
yoseguíNo change
seguisteNo change
él/ella/ustedsiguióe → i
nosotros/asseguimosNo change
vosotros/asseguisteisNo change
ellos/ellas/ustedessiguierone → i

Common Examples to Practice With

Here are five verbs that embrace the E to I stem change:

  1. Seguir (to follow):
    • Él siguió el camino. (He followed the path.)
    • Ellos siguieron nuestro consejo. (They followed our advice.)
  2. Sentir (to feel):
    • Ella sintió miedo. (She felt fear.)
    • Ustedes sintieron alegría. (You all felt joy.)
  3. Pedir (to ask for/request):
    • Usted pidió ayuda. (You asked for help.)
    • Ellas pidieron más tiempo. (They asked for more time.)
  4. Servir (to serve):
    • Ella sirvió la cena. (She served dinner.)
    • Ellos sirvieron en el ejército. (They served in the army.)

Remember, for yo, tú, nosotros, and vosotros, the stem stays the same!

Synonyms:

  • English: E to I Verbs Simple Past, Past Simple, Preterite Tense, Past Historic
  • Spanish: Verbos de Cambio Radical E a I en Pretérito Indefinido, Pretérito Perfecto Simple, Pretérito

Learn specific conjugations:

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