envolver Present Conjugation
envolver — to wrap
Envolver is a stem-changing verb in the present tense, changing 'o' to 'ue' in all forms except nosotros and vosotros.
envolver Present Forms
When to Use the Present
Use the present tense to describe current actions, like wrapping a gift right now, or habitual actions, such as how you usually pack items for shipping.
Notes on envolver in the Present
This is a radical (stem) change. The 'o' in the root becomes 'ue' when stressed (yo envuelvo), but stays 'o' when the ending is stressed (nosotros envolvemos).
Example Sentences
Siempre envuelvo los regalos con papel reciclado.
I always wrap gifts with recycled paper.
yo
¿Por qué envuelves el bocadillo en papel de aluminio?
Why are you wrapping the sandwich in aluminum foil?
tú
Nosotros envolvemos las maletas en el aeropuerto.
We wrap our suitcases at the airport.
nosotros
Ellos envuelven los muebles para la mudanza.
They wrap the furniture for the move.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using 'envolvo' instead of 'envuelvo'.
Correct: envuelvo
Why: The 'o' must change to 'ue' in the first-person singular.
Master Spanish verbs in context
Memorizing tables only gets you so far. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories to see verbs like 'envolver' used naturally — in the tenses you're learning.
Related Tenses
Preterite
yo: envolví
Envolver is regular in the preterite, but remember that the past participle is the irregular 'envuelto'.
Imperfect
yo: envolvía
Envolver is completely regular in the imperfect: envolvía, envolvías, envolvía, envolvíamos, envolvíais, envolvían.
Future
yo: envolveré
The future tense of envolver is regular: just add -é, -ás, -á, -emos, -éis, -án to the full infinitive.
Conditional
yo: envolvería
The conditional is regular: envolvería, envolverías, envolvería, envolveríamos, envolveríais, envolverían.
Present Subjunctive
yo: envuelva
The present subjunctive follows the 'yo' form of the present (envuelvo) and changes the ending to -a.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: envolviera
The imperfect subjunctive is formed from the third-person plural preterite: envolvier-.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: envuelve
Use 'envuelve' for informal commands (tú) and 'envuelva' for formal ones (usted).
Negative Imperative
yo: no envuelvas
Negative commands for envolver always use the present subjunctive forms.