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
  • 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