Conjugate stem changing -ar verbs (e > ie) in the present subjunctive in Spanish (El Presente de Subjuntivo)

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Spanish -ar verbs that undergo a stem change e>ie in El Presente keep the same irregularity in El Presente de Subjuntivo

Two common verbs with this irregularity are cerrar (to close) and recomendar (to recommend).

Conjugating cerrar in El Presente de Subjuntivo in Spanish

yo cierre
cierres
él / ella / Ud.   cierre
nosotros / nosotras  cerremos
vosotros / vosotras  cerréis
ellos / ellas / Uds.    cierren

Conjugating recomendar in El Presente de Subjuntivo in Spanish

yo recomiende
recomiendes
él / ella / Ud.   recomiende
nosotros / nosotras  recomendemos
vosotros / vosotras  recomendéis
ellos / ellas / Uds.    recomienden

The -e- in the stem that is closer to the end of the word becomes -ie- except for the nosotros and vosotros forms.

The endings are the same as for the regular -ar verbs in El Presente de Subjuntivo

Look at and listen to these examples:

Mis amigos quieren que yo les recomiende un buen restaurante italiano.My friends want me to recommend a good Italian restaurant.

No cierres la ventana por favor, tengo calor.Don't close the window please, I am hot.

Espero que el Señor Luque me recomiende a sus clientes.I hope Mr Luque recommends me to his clients.

Recomendemos a Pablo para que tenga una mejor oportunidad de ser seleccionado.Let's recommend Pablo so that he has a better chance of being selected.

Os pido que vosotras cerréis la oficina hoy.I am asking you to close the office today.

Señores, cierren las carpetas ahora.Gentlemen, close your folders now.
 

Other verbs that apply this rule are for example:

  • pensar (to think)
  • acertar (to get [something] right)
  • calentar (to warm/heat up)
  • gobernar (to govern/rule)
  • manifestar (to express/voice)
  • despertar/despertarse (to wake/to wake up)

See also:
B1 Spanish verb list: Stem-changing (e > ie) verbs in the present tense

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Examples and resources

No cierres la ventana por favor, tengo calor.Don't close the window please, I am hot.
Señores, cierren las carpetas ahora.Gentlemen, close your folders now.
Mis amigos quieren que yo les recomiende un buen restaurante italiano.My friends want me to recommend a good Italian restaurant.
Espero que el Señor Luque me recomiende a sus clientes.I hope Mr Luque recommends me to his clients.
Recomendemos a Pablo para que tenga una mejor oportunidad de ser seleccionado.Let's recommend Pablo so that he has a better chance of being selected.
Os pido que vosotras cerréis la oficina hoy.I am asking you to close the office today.
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