How to use Irregular verbs in the present tense: poder (to be able to), volver (to return), dormir (to sleep), etc. in Spanish

Learn how to use Irregular verbs in the present tense: poder (to be able to), volver (to return), dormir (to sleep), etc., and what to use it for in Spanish.
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Irregular verbs in the present tense: poder (to be able to), volver (to return), dormir (to sleep), etc. 

Some verbs change their stem from o to ue in the simple present:

Recordar → Recuerdo

To remember → I remember

Volver → Vuelvo

To return → I return

Morir → Muero

To die → I die

The full conjugation table is as follows:

Almorzar en
Yo almuerzo
Tú almuerzas
Él/ella/usted almuerza
Nosotros/as almorzamos
Vosotros/as almorzáis
Ellos/ellas/ustedes almuerzan
Poder en
Yo puedo
Tú puedes
Él/ella/usted puede
Nosotros/as podemos
Vosotros/as podéis
Ellos/ellas/ustedes pueden
Dormir en
Yo duermo
Tú duermes
Él/ella/usted duerme
Nosotros/as dormimos
Vosotros/as dormís
Ellos/ellas/ustedes duermen

Some common verbs that follow this logic: contar (to tell), soltar (to let go), soñar (to dream), encontrar (to find), doler (to hurt) and mover (to move).

Nunca me cuentas nada.

You never tell me anything.

Sueño con ir a Valparaíso.

I dream of going to Valparaiso.

A Carolina le duele la cabeza.

Carolina’s head hurts.

Notes:

  • These verbs are regular with the pronouns nosotros/as (we) and vosotros/as (informal plural “you”).
  • The verb jugar jugar, presente follows the same pattern, the -u- stem changing to -ue- with the same pronouns.

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