Overview
This lesson explains Spanish present tense verbs with a stem change from E to I, focusing on their conjugation patterns and key usage differences from other stem-changing verbs.
Stem-Changing Verbs: E to I
- E to I stem changes occur in certain IR verbs in the present tense.
- The stem vowel E changes to I in all forms except nosotros/nosotras and vosotros/vosotras (the "shoe/boot" forms).
- Common E to I verbs: decir, pedir, repetir, seguir, servir, conseguir.
Conjugation Patterns
- Decir conjugates irregularly in yo form: yo digo (not decio); G is added, C is dropped.
- Pedir: yo pido, tú pides, él/ella/usted pide, nosotros/nosotras pedimos, ellos/ellas/ustedes piden.
- Seguir: yo sigo (no U in yo form), tú sigues, él/ella/usted sigue, nosotros/nosotras seguimos, ellos/ellas/ustedes siguen.
- E changes to I only in the shoe/boot forms.
Examples and Usage Notes
- Pedir can mean "to ask for" or "to order" (e.g., in a restaurant).
- Seguir + gerund (ING form) means "to keep/continue doing something."
- When there is more than one E in the stem, the one closest to the end usually changes.
- Example sentences:
- "Mis amigos piden arroz" = My friends order rice.
- "No siguen las instrucciones" = They don't follow the instructions.
- "Francisco sigue perdiendo" = Francisco keeps losing.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Stem-changing verb — verb that changes its stem vowel in some present tense forms.
- Shoe/boot verbs — another name for stem-changing verbs, because the affected forms make a shoe or boot shape on conjugation charts.
- Pedir — to ask for, to order.
- Seguir — to follow, to continue.
- Servir — to serve.
- Conseguir — to get, to obtain.
- Repetir — to repeat.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Practice conjugating E to I stem-changing verbs.
- Translate sample sentences using these verbs.
- Review charts and patterns for other stem-changing verbs (E to IE, O to UE).