Conjugate stem-changing -ar verbs in the present tense in Spanish (e > ie) (El Presente)

Written by qualified Spanish expert Ana Matilla MA, BA

Last updated: 2023-01-26

A number of common Spanish verbs (calentar, cerrar, comenzar, empezar, recomendar, sentarse) ending in ‑ar are stem-changing semi-regular in El Presente because their stems change in some forms.

Learn how to conjugate -ar stem-changing verbs in El Presente in Spanish

	CERRAR to close	EMPEZAR to start	RECOMENDAR to recommend
yo	cierro	empiezo	recomiendo
tú	cierras	empiezas	recomiendas
él / ella / usted	cierra	empieza	recomienda
nosotros / nosotras	cerramos	empezamos	recomendamos
vosotros / vosotras	cerráis	empezáis	recomendáis
ellos / ellas / ustedes	cierran	empiezan	recomiendan

Notice how the vowel -e- in the stem that is closer to the end of the word becomes-ie- except for the nosotros and vosotros forms.

Look at and listen to these examples:

Yo caliento las lentejas en la olla.I heat the lentils in the pot.

Tú cierras siempre todo con llave.You always lock everything.

Ella comienza las clases el próximo lunes.She starts classes next Monday.

Nosotros comenzamos a practicar yoga hoy.We start practicing yoga today.

¿Vosotras nos recomendáis este spa?Do you recommend this spa?

Ellos se sientan juntos en el sofá.They sit together on the couch.

Entonces, ¿ustedes recomiendan este hotel?So, do you recommend this hotel?

The essential verb pensar (to think) also follows this pattern. Practise it here:
Conjugate pensar in the present tense in Spanish (El Presente)

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