Stem Changing Verbs: poder & dormir

Question 1

What is the meaning of poder?

Answer 1

to be able to

Question 2

What is the meaning of dormir?

Answer 2

to sleep

Question 3

How many groups of stem changing verbs are there?

Answer 3

There are 3 groups:

group 1: the o in the stem changes to ue

and

group 2: the e in the stem changes to ie

group 3: the e in the stem changes to i

(don’t worry about groups 2-3, we will learn those in Spanish 2A)

Question 4

What about the conjugations?

Answer 4

You still have to conjugate the verb. That is, remove the infinitive and add the conjugation to the stem of the verb according to the subject.

For example:

hablar > hablo hablamos

hablas hablan

habla hablan

Question 5

What are the conjugation endings?

Answer 5

Well, for now just RE-LEARN the conjugations for infinitives -er and -ir in the present tense.

Question 6

What are the present tense conjugations for

-er ending verbs?

Answer 6

These are the conjugations for -er ending verbs:

yo > -o

tú > -es

usted, él, ella > -e

nosotros, nosotras > -emos

ustedes, ellos, ellas >-en

Question 7

What are the present tense conjugations for -ir ending verbs?

Answer 7

These are the conjugations for -ir ending verbs:

yo > -o

tú > -es

usted, él, ella > -e

nosotros, nosotras > -imos

ustedes, ellos, ellas > -en

Question 8

What about dormir and poder?

Answer 8

Verbs like d**or**m_ir_ and p**o**d_er_ have two changes:

1- the o in the stem becomes ue

2- the infinitive -er, -ir > that is you have to conjugate

the verb according to the

subject.

Question 9

What are the changes in dormir?

Answer 9

yo duermo

tú duermes

usted, él, ella duerme

nosotros, nosotras dormimos

ustedes, ellos, ellas duermen

(dormimos does not change in the stem)

(I sleep, you sleep, he sleeps….)

Question 10

What are the changes in poder?

Answer 10

yo puedo (+ a second verb in the infinitive)

tú puedes,

usted, él, ella puede

nosotros, nosotras podemos

ustedes, ellos, ellas pueden

(nosotros, nosotras do not have a stem change)

( I am able to…., you are able to…., he is able to ….)

Question 11

What should I remember about dormir and poder?

Answer 11

a) dormir and poder are both stem changing verbs.
b) the o in their stem changes to u
c) nosotros, nosotras do not change in the stem
d) poder is used with a second verb in the infinitive:

Puedo tocar el piano > I am able to play the …

Podemos practicar deportes > We are able to

practice sports.