Special cases of gerunds

Spelling change: this affects verbs whose stem ends in a vowel. For example, the stem of leer is lee-, which ends in a vowel. In these verbs, -yendo is used instead of -iendo. For examples:
- leer (read) → Estoy leyendo un libro. (I’m reading a book.)
- oír (hear) → Estás oyendo la música. (You’re hearing the music.)
- construir (building) → Ellos están construyendo una casa. (They are building a house.)
Stem-changing -ir verbs (like in the pedir cluster): some -ir verbs change in the stem and take the -iendo ending. For example:
- pedir (ask) → Estoy pidiendo ayuda. (I am asking for help.)
- decir (say) → Estás diciendo la verdad. (You are telling the truth.)
- dormir (sleep) → Él está durmiendo. (He is sleeping.)
- servir (serve) → Estamos sirviendo la comida. (We are serving the food.)

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