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Spanish (Spain) • Level 1 • GRAMMAR

present (spelling)

💡 Grammar Rule

Spelling Changes in the Present Tense (Yo Form)

In Spanish, certain verbs require spelling adjustments in the present tense to maintain the correct pronunciation. These changes occur only in the first person singular (yo) form. This happens because the vowel "o" in the ending can change the sound of the consonant that comes before it.

1. Verbs ending in –ger and –gir

In Spanish, the letter G sounds like an English "H" when followed by e or i (as in gente or gigante). However, before a, o, or u, it has a hard sound (like "gate").

To keep the original soft sound (like the "H" sound) in the yo form, we must change the g to a j before the ending –o.

  • coger (to catch/take) → cojo (I take)
  • exigir (to demand) → exijo (I demand)
  • proteger (to protect) → protejo (I protect)
  • dirigir (to direct/manage) → dirijo (I direct)

2. Verbs ending in –guir

For these verbs, the u is silent in the infinitive; it is just there to make the g hard (like "guitar"). Since g is naturally hard before –o, the "u" is no longer necessary.

Therefore, we drop the u and change gu → g.

  • distinguir (to distinguish) → distingo (I distinguish)
  • extinguir (to extinguish) → extingo (I extinguish)
  • conseguir (to get/achieve) → consigo (I get)
    *Note: This verb also has a stem change (e → i).

3. Verbs ending in –cer and –cir (after a consonant)

When a verb ends in –cer or –cir and is preceded by a consonant, the soft "th" sound (in Spain) must be preserved. The letter c sounds like "k" before –o, so we must change it.

We change c → z in the yo form.

  • convencer (to convince) → convenzo (I convince)
  • ejercer (to exercise/practice a profession) → ejerzo (I practice)
  • vencer (to defeat/overcome) → venzo (I defeat)
  • esparcir (to scatter/spread) → esparzo (I scatter)

4. Combined Changes

Some verbs combine these spelling rules with vowel stem changes (like e → i or o → ue).

  • elegir (to choose) → elijo (I choose)
    Change: g → j (spelling) AND e → i (stem).
  • torcer (to twist) → tuerzo (I twist)
    Change: c → z (spelling) AND o → ue (stem).
Do you take the bus often?
¿Coges el autobús a menudo?
No, I always take the train.
No, siempre cojo el tren.
Juan clears the table.
Juan recoge la mesa.
I pick up the dirty dishes.
Yo recojo los platos sucios.
Who corrects the exams?
¿Quién corrige los exámenes?
I correct the ones from my class.
Yo corrijo los de mi clase.
We have to choose a gift.
Tenemos que elegir un regalo.
I choose the color.
Yo elijo el color.
Will you protect me from the rain?
¿Me proteges de la lluvia?
Of course, I protect you with my umbrella.
Claro, yo te protejo con mi paraguas.
She runs the company with an iron fist.
Ella dirige la empresa con mano dura.
I run my own business.
Yo dirijo mi propio negocio.
Do you demand punctuality?
¿Exiges puntualidad?
Yes, I demand a lot from my employees.
Sí, exijo mucho a mis empleados.
It’s hard to distinguish the colors.
Es difícil distinguir los colores.
I distinguish them perfectly.
Yo los distingo perfectamente.
Do you follow this singer?
¿Sigues a este cantante?
Yes, I follow him on all social networks.
Sí, lo sigo en todas las redes sociales.
I never get movie tickets.
Nunca consigo entradas para el cine.
I get them online.
Yo las consigo por internet.
How do you convince your clients?
¿Cómo convences a tus clientes?
I convince them with good results.
Los convenzo con buenos resultados.
That team never wins.
Ese equipo nunca vence.
I always win in video games.
Yo siempre venzo en los videojuegos.
Do you practice as a doctor here?
¿Ejerces de médico aquí?
Yes, I practice at the local hospital.
Sí, ejerzo en el hospital local.
Careful, you're twisting the map.
Cuidado, que tuerces el mapa.
I’m not twisting it, just folding it.
No lo tuerzo, solo lo doblo.
Are you pretending to be asleep?
¿Finges estar dormido?
No, I never pretend.
No, nunca finjo.
This shirt shrinks in the washing machine.
Esta camisa encoge en la lavadora.
I never shrink my clothes.
Yo nunca encojo mi ropa.
Do you pick up the kids from school?
¿Recoges a los niños del colegio?
Yes, I pick them up at five.
Sí, los recojo a las cinco.
I don't distinguish small letters well.
No distingo bien las letras pequeñas.
I don't distinguish anything without glasses.
Yo no distingo nada sin gafas.
What do you choose for dinner?
¿Qué eliges para cenar?
I choose fish with salad.
Elijo pescado con ensalada.
The conductor directs the orchestra.
El director dirige la orquesta.
And I direct the choir.
Y yo dirijo el coro.
Do you follow the instructions?
¿Sigues las instrucciones?
Yes, I follow the steps one by one.
Sí, sigo los pasos uno a uno.
She convinces everyone.
Ella convence a todo el mundo.
I convince with facts.
Yo convenzo con hechos.
Will you get the phone?
¿Coges tú el teléfono?
Okay, I'll get it.
Vale, lo cojo yo.

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