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Stem-changing verbs in Spanish: -er verbs (o > ue) in the present tense (El Presente)

Written by qualified Spanish expert Ana Matilla MA, BA
Last updated: 2023-06-28
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There are semi-regular -er verbs in Spanish in El Presente. 

Learn about Spanish -er stem-changing verbs in El Presente

This table shows two common verbs that follow this pattern:


  VOLVER
to come back		 MOVER
to move
 yo vuelvo muevo
 tú vuelves mueves

él / ella
usted

 vuelve mueve
nosotros 
nosotras		 volvemos movemos
vosotros 
vosotras		 volvéis movéis
ellos / ellas
ustedes		 vuelven mueven

Notice how the first vowel -o- becomes -ue- EXCEPT for nosotros/nosotras and vosotros/vosotras where it remains -o-.

However their endings are the same as for all regular -er verbs in El Presente.

Listen to these examples:

Yo muevo las sillas del salón.I'm moving the chairs around in the lounge.

Tú vuelves del trabajo a las cinco.You return from work at five.

Ella mueve las cajas a otro lugar.She's moving the boxes somewhere else.

Nosotros volvemos muy cansados.We're coming back very tired.

Vosotros movéis los muebles de un lado a otro.You're moving the furniture around.

Los chicos vuelven temprano del colegio.The boys are returning early from school.

Ustedes siempre vuelven muy tarde de la oficina.You always return very late from the office.

See also:

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Examples and resources

Tú vuelves del trabajo a las cinco.You return from work at five.
Yo muevo las sillas del salón.I'm moving the chairs around in the lounge.
Ustedes siempre vuelven muy tarde de la oficina.You always return very late from the office.
Vosotros movéis los muebles de un lado a otro.You're moving the furniture around.
Ella mueve las cajas a otro lugar.She's moving the boxes somewhere else.
Nosotros volvemos muy cansados.We're coming back very tired.
Los chicos vuelven temprano del colegio.The boys are returning early from school.
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