Spanish -er verbs that undergo a stem change e>ie in El Presente keep the same irregularity in El Presente de Subjuntivo.
Have a look at three common verbs with this irregularity:
Entender (to understand)
| yo | entienda |
| tú | entiendas |
| él / ella / Ud. | entienda |
| nosotros / nosotras | entendamos |
| vosotros / vosotras | entendáis |
| ellos / ellas / Uds. | entiendan |
Encender (to switch on )
| yo | encienda |
| tú | enciendas |
| él / ella / Ud. | encienda |
| nosotros / nosotras | encendamos |
| vosotros / vosotras | encendáis |
| ellos / ellas / Uds. | enciendan |
Perder (to lose)
| yo | pierda |
| tú | pierdas |
| él / ella / Ud. | pierda |
| nosotros / nosotras | perdamos |
| vosotros / vosotras | perdáis |
| ellos / ellas / Uds. | pierdan |
The vowel -e- in the stem that is closer to the end of the word becomes -ie- except in the nosotros and vosotros forms.
The endings are the same as for regular -er verbs in El Presente de Subjuntivo.
Look at and listen to these examples:
Mi madre no quiere que yo pierda las llaves de la casa.My mum doesn't want me to lose the house keys.
Es importante que usted entienda todas las cláusulas del contrato.It is important that you understand all clauses in the contract.
El profesor hace un gran esfuerzo para que todos nosotros le entendamos.The teacher is making a great effort so that we understand him.
See also:
Verb list: Stem-changing (e > ie) verbs in the present tense
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Examples and resources
Es esencial que ellos pierdan el miedo a las alturas.It is essential that they get over their fear of heights. [lit: they lose the fear]
El profesor hace un gran esfuerzo para que todos nosotros le entendamos.The teacher is making a great effort so that we understand him.
