Stem changing verbs

Stem changing verbs receive their name from the stem of the verb which is simply the part of the verb that remains after the "-ar", "-er", or "-ir" is removed. For example the stem of hablar is habl and the stem of comer is com. In a stem changing verb the stem undergoes a spelling change when conjugated. This stem change occurs in every present tense form of the verb except for nosotros and vosotros. There are several kinds of spelling changes that may occur but the most common are e>ie, e>i, and o>ue. When you learn new verbs that are stem changers, you will have to remember what spelling change affects each verb. Let's look at an example of how to conjugate such a verb. Dormir means to sleep and is an o>ue stem changing verb. In your lessons this would be listed as Dormir (o>ue). When you conjugate dormir the "O" will change to "UE" in every form except nosotros and vosotros - like this;

Here's one more example. This time let's look at an e>ie spelling change. Temblar (e>ie) means to tremble.