Some present-tense verbs change a stressed e in the stem to ie.

The idea

For these verbs, use the changed stem in most present forms: pienso, piensas, empieza, cierran. Nosotros and vosotros keep e: pensamos, pensáis.

Examples

  • Pienso en el viaje.I am thinking about the trip.
  • ¿Piensas viajar pronto?Are you planning to travel soon?
  • Pensamos en una solución.We are thinking of a solution.
  • La clase empieza a las nueve.The class starts at nine.
  • Las tiendas cierran a las ocho.The shops close at eight.
  • ¿Entiendes esta pregunta?Do you understand this question?

Read-aloud uses a synthetic Spanish voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.

Watch out

Not every verb containing e follows this pattern. Vosotros is used in some regions; ustedes takes the third-person plural form. In many voseo areas, vos pensás also keeps e.

Try it yourself

  1. Choose the form for yo. Yo ___ en el viaje. (pienso / pensamos)

    Show answer or example answer

    pienso

    Pienso uses the changed stem with yo.

  2. Choose the form for nosotros. Nosotros ___ en una solución. (pensamos / piensamos)

    Show answer or example answer

    pensamos

    Pensamos keeps e with nosotros.

  3. Choose the form for the shops. Las tiendas ___ a las ocho. (cierran / cerran)

    Show answer or example answer

    cierran

    Cierran uses the changed stem with a plural third-person subject.

Use it today

Say what you think, what time a class starts and when shops close.