The Problem

The Problem

Irregular verbs are, well, irregular. That makes it hard to predict their forms. Depending on the tense that you want to talk in, a German verb has to undergo certain changes. Most of the time those changes are rather minor, but, they are hard to remember as they are very abstract. One example:

Infinitiv: lügen (= to lie) turns into

Präteritum: log

Perfekt: gelogen

As you know the rules for creating the Präteritum and the Perfekt tense (if you don’t know them make sure to watch the appropriate videos in the ‘extras section of this app) you will only have to remember that lügen changes the û into o in Präteritum and again into o in the Perfekt.

The ‘only’ information that you need to remember is: lügen – o – o

That sounds minimal and easy but lügen is not alone. There are about 20 other verbs using this pattern, so without any help you are likely to get confused. And then, what is an o? Could you memorize the following set of letters in two minutes:

aoaäeoõuleoauäö?

If so, congratulations. You seem to have a photographic memory. But would you be able to recite that same line tomorrow without reviewing it anymore? Unlikely. The majority of us will most likely have serious problems to succeed with this task. Two more examples to make sure you understand the real problem with the irregular verbs:

helfen follows the pattern a – o. Can you create the forms? If not, please review the basic rules of creation of the past forms. You’ll find the answer below.

How about another try? treffen a – o

When you know the vowel-pattern, the irregular verbs don’t feel that irregular at all. ‘All’ you need to do, is to remember the change of the vowel. How to do that with extreme efficiency, I will explain in another chapter of this app called ‘The Solution’.

Answers to the above tasks

helfen-half-geholfen
treffen-trafgetroffen