Spanish
Grade 3
15 min
Los stem-changing verbs (o -> ue): Ejemplo - Poder (Stem-changing verbs (o -> ue): Example - Poder)
Introduce and practice the irregular stem-changing verb 'poder' (o -> ue).
What you'll learn
- Identify the stem (the part of the verb that changes) in at least 4 out of 5 'o -> ue' stem-changing verbs like 'poder'.
- Explain how the 'o' changes to 'ue' in the stem of the verb 'poder' when conjugating it in sentences.
- Apply the 'o -> ue' stem-changing rule to correctly conjugate 'poder' in at least 3 out of 4 simple sentences.
- Solve a matching activity by correctly pairing at least 5 out of 6 'o -> ue' stem-changing verb conjugations with their corresponding subject pronouns (yo, tú, él/ella/usted, nosotros, vosotros, ellos/ellas/ustedes).
Tutorial Preview
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Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Identify the stem and ending of the verb 'poder'.
Explain that 'poder' is a stem-changing verb where the 'o' changes to 'ue'.
Correctly conjugate the verb 'poder' for yo, tú, él, ella, and ustedes.
Recognize that the 'nosotros' form of 'poder' does not have a stem change.
Use the correct form of 'poder' in a simple sentence to say what someone can do.
Ask a simple question using 'poder', such as '¿Puedes...?'
Do you have a superpower? 💪 What are some things you *can* do? Let's learn how to say 'I can' in Spanish!
Today, we will learn about a special type of verb called a 'stem-changing verb'. We will use the verb 'poder'...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
Verbo (Verb)An action word, like 'run', 'eat', or 'play'. In this lesson, our verb is 'poder' (to be able to/can).Correr (to run), comer (to eat), poder (to be able to).
Infinitivo (Infinitive)The original form of a verb, like the name of the verb. In Spanish, they end in -AR, -ER, or -IR.The infinitive of our verb is 'poder'.
Raíz (Stem)The part of the verb left when you take off the -ER ending. It's like the stem of a flower!For 'poder', the stem is 'pod-'.
Terminación (Ending)The last two letters of an infinitive verb. It tells you what kind of verb it is.For 'poder', the ending is '-er'.
Verbo de cambio de raíz (Stem-Changing Verb)A special verb where a vowel in the ste...
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Grammar Rules & Patterns
The 'o' to 'ue' Stem Change
o → ue
For the verb 'poder', the 'o' in the stem 'pod-' changes to 'ue' for most subjects (yo, tú, él, ella, usted, ellos, ellas, ustedes). Think of it as the 'o' transforming!
The Boot Verb Rule
The stem change happens for subjects 'inside the boot' (yo, tú, él/ella/ud., ellos/ellas/uds.), but NOT for 'nosotros' (we), which is 'outside the boot'.
Imagine drawing a boot shape around the verb chart. The forms inside the boot get the stem change. The 'nosotros' form is outside the boot, so it stays the same. For 'poder', 'nosotros' is 'podemos', not 'puedemos'.
4 more steps in this tutorial
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Challenging
The 'o' in 'poder' changes to 'ue' for all subjects EXCEPT...
A.yo and tú
B.él and ella
C.ustedes and ellos
D.nosotros and vosotros
Challenging
A regular -AR verb like 'hablar' is 'yo hablo'. A stem-changing verb like 'poder' is 'yo puedo'. Why is 'poder' different?
A.Because 'poder' is an -ER verb.
B.Because 'poder' is a special type of verb where the vowel in the stem changes for certain subjects.
C.Because 'poder' is used more often than 'hablar'.
D.Because 'poder' has more letters than 'hablar'.
Challenging
Complete the sentence: 'El niño alto ___ alcanzar la manzana, pero los niños pequeños no ___.'
A.puede, pueden
B.pueden, puede
C.puedo, puedes
D.podemos, puede
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Frequently asked questions
What grade level is "Los stem-changing verbs (o -> ue): Ejemplo - Poder (Stem-changing verbs (o -> ue): Example - Poder)"?
Los stem-changing verbs (o -> ue): Ejemplo - Poder (Stem-changing verbs (o -> ue): Example - Poder) is a Grade 3 Spanish lesson on ExcelOS.
What will I learn in Los stem-changing verbs (o -> ue): Ejemplo - Poder (Stem-changing verbs (o -> ue): Example - Poder)?
You'll be able to: Identify the stem (the part of the verb that changes) in at least 4 out of 5 'o -> ue' stem-changing verbs like 'poder'; Explain how the 'o' changes to 'ue' in the stem of the verb 'poder' when conjugating it in sentences; Apply….
Is "Los stem-changing verbs (o -> ue): Ejemplo - Poder (Stem-changing verbs (o -> ue): Example - Poder)" free to practice?
Yes. You can read the tutorial preview for free, and signing up for a free ExcelOS account unlocks the full tutorial and all practice questions with instant feedback.
How many practice questions are included with Los stem-changing verbs (o -> ue): Ejemplo - Poder (Stem-changing verbs (o -> ue): Example - Poder)?
This lesson includes 27 practice questions across multiple difficulty levels, each with instant feedback and explanations.