i -> a -> e pattern

• verbs that follow this pattern:

  • essen (to eat) pp=+ haben
  • fressen (to eat/feed, of animals) pp=+haben
  • geben (to give) pp=+haben
  • sein (to be) pp=+sein
  • sitzen (to sit) pp=+haben
  • treten (to step/go) pp=+ sein
  • vergessen (to forget) pp=+haben
• [as an example]

  
  

  essen:

  • infinitive = essen
  • 3rd pers. present = isst
  • 3rd pers. simple past = ass (aß)
  • past participle = gegessen
• the rule here is:

  • the 'i' ( from the 3rd pers. present) changes to an 'a' in the 3rd person simple past
  • the 'a' changes to an 'e' in the past participle
• fressen:

  
  

  inf= fressen

  3rd pers pres = frisst

  imperfect/3rd pers simp past = fraß

  past part = gefressen
• geben:

  
  

  inf = geben

  3rd pers pres = gibt

  imp = gab

  past part = gegeben
• sein:

  
  

  inf = sein

  3rd pers pres = ist

  imp = war

  past part = gewesen
• sitzen:

  
  

  inf = sitzen

  3rd pers pres = sitzt

  imp = saß

  past part = gesessen
• treten:

  
  

  inf = treten

  3rd pers pres = tritt

  imp = trat

  past part = getreten
• vergessen:

  inf = vergessen

  3rd pers pres = vergisst

  imp = vergaß

  past part = vergessen