Conjugate e > i verbs in the present subjunctive in Spanish (El Presente de Subjuntivo)

Generally, stem changing verbs e > ie and o > ue  in El Presente keep the same irregularity in El Presente de Subjuntivo, this means that there is a vowel change in all forms except the nosotros and vosotros forms. However e > i verbs are different.

Learn about stem-changing e>i verbs in El Presente de Subjuntivo in Spanish

Spanish e > i verbs are different as they keep the e > i change all the way through their conjugation in El Presente de Subjuntivo.

Vestirpedir and reír are three common verbs that undergo this change.

Conjugating vestir, pedir and reír in El Presente de Subjuntivo in Spanish 

  VESTIR
to dress
PEDIR
to ask/order
REÍR
to laugh
 yo vista

pida

ría

  vistas

pidas

rías

él / ella
usted

vista

pida

ría

nosotros 
nosotras
vistamos

pidamos

riamos

vosotros 
vosotras
vistáis

pidáis

riais

ellos / ellas
ustedes
vistan

pidan

rían

Some other common verbs that follow this rule are:

  • competir = to compete
  • repetir to repeat
  • medir = to measure
  • despedir = to fire
  • reñir = to tell off
  • sonreír to smile

Here are some examples:

No me sorprende que compitas en la final.It doesn't surprise me that you are competing in the final. [referring to tú]

No riñan a los niños tan a menudo.Don't tell the children off so often. [referring to ustedes]

Será necesario que repitamos el examen.We will have to repeat the exam.

Quiero que midáis el largo del vestido.I want you to measure the length of the dress. [referring to vosotros]

Notice how for all these verbs, the vowel -e- from the infinitive becomes -i-  in all the forms.

Listen to these examples :

No me pidáis que vaya allí por favor.Don't ask me to go there please. [referring to vosotros]

Es mejor que pidamos la cuenta ahora.We'd better ask for the bill.

No os riais tanto.Don't laugh so much. [referring to vosotros]

No es aceptable que nos riamos de ellos.It is not acceptable that we laugh at them.

Quiero que os vistáis elegantes.I want you to dress smartly. [referring to vosotros]

Es importante que vistan de forma casual para esta ocasión.It's important that they/you [ustedes] dress casually for this ocasion.

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Examples and resources

No riñan a los niños tan a menudo.Don't tell the children off so often. [referring to ustedes]
No es aceptable que nos riamos de ellos.It is not acceptable that we laugh at them.
Voy a trabajar duro antes de que el jefe me despida.I am going to work hard so the boss doesn't fire me.
Es mejor que pidamos la cuenta ahora.We'd better ask for the bill.
Será necesario que repitamos el examen.We will have to repeat the exam.
Es importante que vistan de forma casual para esta ocasión.It's important that they/you [ustedes] dress casually for this ocasion.
No me pidáis que vaya allí por favor.Don't ask me to go there please. [referring to vosotros]
No os riais tanto.Don't laugh so much. [referring to vosotros]
Quiero que midáis el largo del vestido.I want you to measure the length of the dress. [referring to vosotros]
No me sorprende que compitas en la final.It doesn't surprise me that you are competing in the final. [referring to tú]
Quiero que os vistáis elegantes.I want you to dress smartly. [referring to vosotros]
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