In the preterite, -ir verbs like preferir, pedir, and dormir also have stem changes but only in the Ud. /él/ella and Uds./ellos/ellas forms. In these

In the preterite, -ir verbs like preferir, pedir, and dormir also have stem changes but only in the Ud. /él/ella and Uds./ellos/ellas forms. In these forms e changes to i and o changes to u.

Mi mamá se aburrió y se durmió durante la película.Mis padres prefirieron ver el concurso de belleza.En la liga compitieron los mejores equipos de México.

Preterite of -ir stem-changing verbs

dormir (o u)

• Note the special spelling of the preterite forms of reír: reí, reíste,rió, reímos, reísteis, rieron

Here are other -ir verbs with stem changes in the preterite tense.

• Verbs like preferir: divertirse, mentir, sentirse• Verbs like pedir: competir, despedirse, repetir,seguir, servir, vestirse• Verbs like dormir: morir• Verbs like reír: sonreír

Preterite of -ir stem-changing verbs

Other reflexive verbs use reflexive pronouns and verbforms but do not have the meaning of a person doing anaction to or for himself or herself. These reflexive verbsoften describe a change in mental, emotional, or physicalstate, and can express the idea that someone “gets” or“becomes.”

Other reflexive verbs

Se durmieron durante la película.Se puso alegre después de ganar.

Other reflexive verbs

Regional variations of ll / y and c / z

The majority of Spanish speakers do not distinguish between ll and y, pronouncing both like y in the English word yes. Listen to and say these words and sentences as the majority of Spanish speakers would:

rodilla joyas cepillo rayasllamar sellosTiene que llevar un yeso.La calle está cerca de la playa.


Note, however, that the pronunciation of lland y varies around the Spanish-speakingworld. In Argentina and Uruguay, ll and yare pronounced like the s in the Englishword measure. In other countries, the ll ispronounced with a hint of an l, much likethe English word million, but a bit softer.


Listen to and say the words and sentencesabove again, first as a speaker fromArgentina or Uruguay would pronouncethem, and then as many other Spanishspeakers would.


Enjoy this children’s riddle from Mexico:


In Latin America and parts of Spain, cbefore e and i, and z before a vowel arepronounced like the s in sink. In someparts of Spain, however, these letters arepronounced like the th in think.


Listen to and say the following words asmost Spaniards would pronounce them:

cierto dice bronce ciclismo conciertobelleza abrazo azúcar buzón comenzar


¡Compruébalo! Try this tongue twisterabout a cat:

Documents

In the preterite, -ir verbs like preferir, pedir, and dormir also have stem changes but only in the Ud. /él/ella and Uds./ellos/ellas forms. In these