Stem-changing Verbs in Spanish Affirmative Commands

Giving commands in Spanish is a handy skill, but stem-changing verbs can throw a wrench in the works. These verbs, like pensar (to think), dormir (to sleep), and pedir (to ask for), change their vowels when you use them in command form. Don’t worry, though! Once you understand the pattern, it’s easy to sound like a native speaker.

Why Do Stems Change in Commands?

It’s all about keeping the pronunciation smooth and easy to understand. In certain forms, the vowel in the middle of the verb shifts, but the overall meaning stays the same.

Three Types of Stem Changes

There are three main types of stem changes you’ll encounter:

  1. E to IE: The “e” in the verb’s stem changes to “ie” in the command.
  2. O to UE: The “o” in the stem changes to “ue”.
  3. E to I: The “e” in the stem changes to “i”.

Conjugating Commands: A Quick Overview

There are a few different ways to give commands in Spanish, depending on who you’re talking to:

  • Tú (informal “you”): This is where you’ll see the stem changes we’re discussing.
  • Usted (formal “you”) and Ustedes (formal “you all”): Here, the stem changes are the same as in the present subjunctive.

Examples of Stem Changes

E to IE: Pensar (to think)

  • Tú: Piensa (Think!)
  • Usted: Piense (Think!)
  • Ustedes: Piensen (Think!)

O to UE: Dormir (to sleep)

  • Tú: Duerme (Sleep!)
  • Usted: Duerma (Sleep!)
  • Ustedes: Duerman (Sleep!)

E to I: Pedir (to ask for)

  • Tú: Pide (Ask for it!)
  • Usted: Pida (Ask for it!)
  • Ustedes: Pidan (Ask for it!)

Real-World Examples: Commands in Action

  • “¡Piensa bien antes de actuar!” (Think carefully before acting!)
  • “Duerma temprano esta noche, por favor.” (Please sleep early tonight.)
  • “Pidan ayuda si la necesitan.” (Ask for help if you need it.)

A Few Extra Tips

  • Negative Commands: These use the subjunctive mood for all forms, so there are no stem changes to worry about here.
  • Irregular Verbs: Some verbs have irregular command forms that don’t follow the usual patterns.

Get Commanding in Spanish!

By mastering stem-changing verbs in commands, you’ll be giving instructions, making requests, and expressing yourself like a true Spanish speaker.

Synonyms:

  • English: Stem changing verbs in Imperative Mood, Positive Commands, Direct Commands, Affirmative Imperatives
  • Spanish: Verbos de Cambio Radical en Imperativo Afirmativo, Modo Imperativo Afirmativo, Mandatos Afirmativos, Órdenes Afirmativas

Dive Deeper:

Related topics:

You are here:

Master Spanish Verb Conjugation: Your Ultimate Guide for both Latin American and Castilian Spanish > Master Latin American Spanish Verb Conjugations: Your Key to Conversational Fluency > Spanish Affirmative Commands Conjugation > Stem-changing Verbs in Spanish Affirmative Commands

Finally, Spanish teachers worth your time!

Experience the LingoToGo difference for yourself with a free week of unlimited lessons.

Expert teachers, raving students, guaranteed fun.

Get one week free

No credit card required. No obligation.

Free trial only available in the Americas and Europe. If you are in another region, you can sign up for one week of unlimited Spanish lessons for one dollar. Here’s the link to sign up for $1.