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Present Tense of e -> ie Stem-changing Verbs

 

a) Root-changing or Stem-changing verbs undergo a change in the stem or root of the verb in the present indicative. When last stem vowel of the verb is a stressed e, the stem vowel e changes to ie 

b) Since the stem vowel is not stressed in the first and second person plural forms, there is no stem change. That is, the e does not change to ie

Preferir 

(to prefer) 
Pronombre Pronoun Raíz Stem     Pronombre Pronoun Raíz Stem    
               

Yo

prefiero

 
I prefer

Nosotros, Nosotras

preferimos

 
we prefer

prefieres

 
you prefer

ustedes

prefieren

 
you prefer

El, Ella,  Usted (Ud.)

prefiere

 
he/ she prefers

Ellos, Ellas

prefieren

 
they prefer

 

c) Notice that the verb changes occur only in the first, second and third persons singular and third person plural. To remember these changes when conjugating stem changing verbs, use the formula 1-2-3-6.

 

d)    

2. La letra "a" se añade cuando se usan los verbos "comenzar" o"empezar" delante de un verbo en infinitivo.

Comienza a comer.

When using the the verbs "comenzar" and "empezar"
before an infinitive, the letter "a" is added.
He begins to eat.
   

 

d)  Since the subject is not expressed, the verb nevar is only conjugated in the third person singular.

Examples    
  Nieva mucho en invierno. It snows a lot in winter.