Spelling that Sounds Right

Spanish has what you would call "spelling-changing" verbs. The reason being is only to maintain the same sound as the verb changes person (first person, second person, third person, etc.). If these verbs did not change their spelling, it wouldn't sound at all like they should. The spelling change happens in the first person form (Yo) as you will see below. Let's take a closer look!

G to J: 

-er	-ir
Proteger (to protect)	Elegir (to elect)
Protejo	Elijo
Proteges Protege Protegemos Protegéis Protegen	Eliges Elige Elegimos Elegís Eligen

Other verbs that make this type of change in the Yo form are as follows: coger, escoger, corregir, dirigir, exigir, and fingir. In the example above, Elegir, has a stem change where the E changes to I in all of the forms except the Nosotros and Vosotros forms. Please see my blog post on stem-changing verbs here.

GU to G:

-ir

Distinguir (to distinguish)

Distingo

Distingues Distingue Distinguimos Distinguís Distinguen

Other verbs that make this type of change in the Yo form are as follows: seguir and conseguir. Now these verbs also have a stem change where the E changes to I in all of the forms except the Nosotros and Vosotros forms. Please see my blog post on stem-changing verbs here.

C to ZC:

-er	-ir
Conocer (to know (as in a person))	Conducir (to drive)
Conozco	Conduzco
Conoces Conoce Conocemos Conocéis Conocen	Conduces Conduce Conducimos Conducís Conducen

Other verbs that make this type of change in the Yo form are as follows: parecer, agradecer, aparecer, merecer, obedecer, ofrecer, permanecer, reconocer, introducir, producir, and traducir.

C to Z:

-er

Convencer (to convince)

Convenzo

Convences Convence Convencemos Convencéis Convencen

Other verbs that make this type of change in the Yo form are as follows: vencer, torcer, ejercer, and mecer.

As with stem-changing verbs, there really is no good way to learn these special verbs in the present tense other than by memorization. I mentioned using flashcards either in the physical sense with index cards or by downloading either a free or paid flashcard app for your smartphone or tablet. Drill yourself as much as possible. Practice conversing with others. Before you know it, you will master them!

¡Hasta luego!

~Keith