2.3 - One Present Tense in German

As we have seen, in German there is only one present tense which corresponds both to the simple and continous present tense in English.

💥Exceptions 💥

Although the majority of verbs in German follow the regular pattern described above, there are a number of exceptions (irregular form)

✏ Some verb have slight spelling variation or their stem vowel changes (unit 3)
✏Sein and Haben ('to be' or 'to have') are particularly irregular (unit 4).

BUT BEFORE THAT, MAKE SURE YOU DIGESTED ALL INFORMATION FROM THIS UNIT

🎲 Quiz '⚪️ Verbs in the Present Tense'
🖊 8 questions · ⏱ 30 sec

⚪ Verb Variations & Irregular Verbs

3.1 - Regular & Irregular Forms

Most verbs in German follow a regular pattern where the ending is simply added to the stem of the verb. But there are some variations where the spelling is slightly different. There is also a group of irregular verbs where there are changes in the stem of the verb.

3.2 - Irregular Verbs in English

In English there is also a difference between regular and irregular verbs, but it usually does not affect the present tense, except for 'to be' (sein) and 'to have' (haben). These verbs will be discussed in unit 4.

3.3 - Spelling Variations - an overview 

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3.3.1 - Stem Endings in -d or -t

There are some German verbs where the stem ends in -d or -t. It would be difficult to pronounce the -st endings for du and the -t ending for er/sie/es and ihr *if -st or -t was directly added to the stem. This is why an -e is put before these endings;

1⃣ arbeiten (infinitive) -> arbeit (stem) -> du arbeitest (finite verb)
2⃣ kosten (infinitive) -> kost (stem) -> es kostet (finite verb)
3⃣ reden (infinitive) -> red (stem) -> ihr redet (finite verb)
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du arbeitst ❌
du arbeitest ✅

es kost ❌
es kostet ✅

ihr redt ❌
ihr redet ✅
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3.3.2 - Verb such as atmen and regnen

Verbs such as atmen and regnen, where the stem ends in a consonant + n or m, also need additional -e.

1⃣atmen (infinitive) -> atm (stem) -> du atmest (finite verb)
2⃣ regnen (infinitive) -> regn (stem) -> es regnet (finitive verb)

3.3.3 Only du, er/sie/es, and ihr are affected
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The extra e is added only with the endings for du, er/sie/es and ihr; it does not affect the other verb forms.

ich arbeite
du arbeitest
er/sie/es arbeitet
wir arbeiten
ihr arbeitet
Sie/sie arbeiten

3.3.4 - Stem Endings in -s,-ss, -ß, -x, -z, -tz

Normally the verb ending for du is st, but if the verb stem ends in s, ss or ß, add a t as the verb ending for du.

3.4 - Irregular Verbs with Vowel Changes

There is a group of German verbs where the vowel in the stem changes in the present tense. These changes apply only in the du and er/sie/es forms. None of the other endings is affected. Here are examples in some frequently used verbs;

📌cr to aidil sunoichi