Are you ready to take your German language skills to the next level? If so, then you know that mastering irregular verbs in the present tense is a crucial step in becoming fluent. In this article, we'll explore everything you need to know about verbs that change from "e" to "i" and "ie." 

German irregular verbs in the present tense

In German, some verbs show a significant irregularity in the present tense. Most of the affected verbs are words you will have to use regularly; hence, it is crucial to internalize them.

The four groups of German irregular verbs in the present tense are:

1. a ➔ ä

2. au ➔ äu

3. e ➔ i

4. e ➔ ie

In the following, we will discuss the third and fourth groups.

Recommended study materials on the topic:

1. A-Grammar: Practice German grammar German (incl. answers)

2. German self-study book for A1-B1  (incl. answers)

3. German verb tables book 

4. German beers training book (incl. answers) 

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What happens with an irregular verb?

German irregular verbs with a vowel change in the present tense all follow the same rules. The affected letters are always the vowels in the verb stem (infinitive: geben ➔ verb stem = geb_). Also, the shift is only for the second and third persons singular (du, er, sie, and es). 

For example:
ich gebe
du gibst
er gibt
sie gibt
es gibt
–
wir geben
ihr gebt
sie geben

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Other verbs that include irregular verbs

If you have an irregular verb inside a verb with a separable or non-separable prefix, it will always stay irregular.

For example:
sprechen (to speak). = ich spreche – du sprichst
versprechen (to promise) = ich verspreche – du versprichst

Irregular verbs in other times

Concerning irregular verbs, you can be sure that if a verb is already performing a vowel shift in the present tense, it is most certainly also an irregular verb for past tenses like Perfekt.

helfen:  er hilft – er half – er hat geholfen

List of German irregular verbs e ➔ i

brechen (to break) ➔ er bricht

essen (to eat) ➔ er isst

geben (to give) ➔ er gibt

gelten (to apply to) ➔ er gilt

helfen (to help) ➔ er hilft

stechen (to sting) ➔ er sticht

sprechen (to speak) ➔ er spricht

sterben (to die) ➔ er stirbt

treffen (to meet) ➔ er trifft

treten (to kick) ➔ er tritt

vergessen (to forget) ➔ er vergisst

werfen (to throw) ➔ er wirft

List of German irregular verbs e ➔ ie

empfehlen (to recommend) ➔ er empfiehlt

lesen (to read) ➔ er liest

sehen (to see) ➔ er sieht

stehlen (to steal) ➔ er stiehlt

Conclusion - irregular verbs

After reading this article, I hope you finally understand how to use this group of verbs you should internalize because you will need to use them frequently. To know more about verbs, check out German irregular verbs with vowel change "a / au" ➔ "ä / äu". 

Bis bald!

Steffie

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