Learning Two Verb Stems

Level 4

The infinitive and present can use different stems. Knowing an infinitive ending alone does not always tell you the present-tense pattern.

How It Works

A useful vocabulary record includes pisati — pišem, čuti — čujem or doći — dođem. The present form identifies the stem and the person-ending pattern needed for actual sentences.

The third-person plural can reveal another alternation: pečem — peku. Keep such forms with the verb rather than guessing that every present stem remains unchanged before every ending.

The infinitive is still needed for dictionary lookup and constructions such as the future. A stem change does not by itself change aspect: learn the verb’s meaning and aspect separately from its conjugation.

Examples (3)

  1. Volim pisati, ali danas pišem samo kratku poruku.

    I like writing, but today I am writing only a short message.

  2. Moram peći kruh dok se kolači peku.

    I have to bake bread while the cakes are baking.

  3. Kad dođem kući, pokušat ću te nazvati.

    When I get home, I will try to call you.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

Learning Two Verb StemsLevel 4

Learn This First

Comparing familiar present paradigms reveals why the infinitive alone does not predict the present stem.