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Quick Grammar Reference
P o r t u g u e s e O n l i n e

>>Verbs > Spelling Changes

Some verb stems end in a consonant that can vary in pronunciation depending on the vowel that follows. The most common are the letters c and g. If you remove the infinitive ending, and what's left of the verb ends in -c, -ç, -g or -gu, please keep the following spelling rules in mind (these rules apply strictly to verbs):

A final -ç is always spelled -c before e or i. Example: começar to start but comece! start!

A final -c before an -er or -ir infinitive is spelled -ç to keep the soft "s" sound before a, o or u. Example: enriquecer to enrich but enriqueço I enrich

A final -c before an -ar infinitive is spelled -qu to keep the hard "k" sound before e or i. Example: ficar to stay but fique! stay!

A final -g before an -er or -ir infinitive is spelled -j to keep the soft "s" sound before a, o or u. Example: corrigir to correct but corrijo I correct

A final -g before an -ar infinitive is spelled -gu to keep the hard "k" sound before e or i. Example: pagar to pay but paguei I paid

A final -gu before an -er or -ir infinitive is always spelled -g before a, o or u. Example: seguir to follow but sigo I follow