Spanish Present Subjunctive Stem Changes and Spelling Changes

Spanish Present Subjunctive Stem Changes and Spelling Changes

In this lesson, you will form present subjunctive verbs whose stems or spellings change. The key is to identify the verb family correctly instead of applying one change to every form.

-AR and -ER stem-changing verbs

For many -AR and -ER verbs with e → ie or o → ue in the present, the subjunctive uses the changed stem except in nosotros and vosotros.

Pensar: e → ie

• piense — that I / he / she think
• pienses — that you think
• piense — that he / she / you formal think
• pensemos — that we think
• penséis — that you all think
• piensen — that they / you all think

Quiero que pienses en las dos opciones. — I want you to think about both options.

Volver: o → ue

• vuelva — that I / he / she return
• vuelvas — that you return
• vuelva — that he / she / you formal return
• volvamos — that we return
• volváis — that you all return
• vuelvan — that they / you all return

Espero que vuelvas pronto. — I hope you return soon.

-IR verbs keep a change in nosotros and vosotros too

For many -IR stem-changing verbs, nosotros and vosotros have a reduced stem change rather than returning fully to the infinitive stem.

Sentir: e → ie, but e → i in nosotros and vosotros

• sienta — that I / he / she feel
• sientas — that you feel
• sienta — that he / she / you formal feel
• sintamos — that we feel
• sintáis — that you all feel
• sientan — that they / you all feel

Dormir: o → ue, but o → u in nosotros and vosotros

• duerma — that I / he / she sleep
• duermas — that you sleep
• duerma — that he / she / you formal sleep
• durmamos — that we sleep
• durmáis — that you all sleep
• duerman — that they / you all sleep

Espero que duermas bien. — I hope you sleep well.

Pedir: e → i throughout the subjunctive

• pida — that I / he / she ask for
• pidas — that you ask for
• pida — that he / she / you formal ask for
• pidamos — that we ask for
• pidáis — that you all ask for
• pidan — that they / you all ask for

Te recomiendo que pidas más información. — I recommend that you ask for more information.

Spelling change: -car → qu

The spelling changes to preserve the hard /k/ sound before e.

• buscar → busque — to look for → that I / he / she look for
• buscar → busquemos — to look for → that we look for

Espero que busques una opción mejor. — I hope you look for a better option.

Spelling change: -gar → gu

• llegar → llegue — to arrive → that I / he / she arrive
• llegar → lleguemos — to arrive → that we arrive

Espero que llegues a tiempo. — I hope you arrive on time.

Spelling change: -zar → c

• cruzar → cruce — to cross → that I / he / she cross
• cruzar → crucemos — to cross → that we cross

Te recomiendo que cruces por aquí. — I recommend that you cross here.

Some verbs combine stem and spelling behavior

Empezar has e → ie and z → c in the relevant forms:

• empiece — that I / he / she begin
• empieces — that you begin
• empecemos — that we begin
• empecéis — that you all begin
• empiecen — that they / you all begin

Quiero que empieces hoy. — I want you to start today.

Use the present system as your guide

Do not assume every verb that changes in one form follows the same pattern as another. Identify whether the verb is -AR, -ER, or -IR and which stem change it has in the present.

A practical formation method

1. Identify the verb family: -AR, -ER, or -IR.
2. Identify its present-tense stem change, if any.
3. For many -AR and -ER stem changers, keep the change except in nosotros and vosotros.
4. For many -IR stem changers, use the reduced e → i or o → u change in nosotros and vosotros.
5. Use e → i throughout for verbs such as pedir.
6. Apply spelling changes such as -car → qu, -gar → gu, and -zar → c to preserve pronunciation.
7. Allow for verbs that combine a stem change with a spelling change.
8. Do not force one model onto every verb.

From Accurate Subjunctive Forms to Recommending Habit Changes

You can now form a wider range of present subjunctive verbs with stem and spelling changes. The next lesson uses those forms to recommend actions and ask someone to change a habit clearly and tactfully.