i/e/u -> a -> a pattern

• verbs that follow this pattern:

  • bringen (to bringen) pp=+haben
  • denken (to think) pp=+ haben
  • brennen (to burn) pp=+ haben
  • kennen (to know[a person, thing etc]) pp=+haben
  • nennen (to name) pp=+haben
  • rennen (to run) pp=+sein
  • senden (to send) pp=+ haben
  • stehen (to stand) pp=+haben
  • tun (to do) pp=+ haben
• [as an example]

  bringen:

  • infinitive = BRINGEN
  • 3rd pers. present = BRINGT
  • 3rd person simple past = BRACHTE
  • past participle = GEBRACHT
• the rule here is:

  • the 'i', 'e', or 'u' (from the 3rd pers. present) changes to an 'a' in the 3rd person simple past
  • the 'a' STAYS AS AN 'A' in the past participle