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German Strong Verbs

Ablaut Class Exceptions

Strong-verb vowel patterns in German

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There are seven ablaut classes or vowel-shift patterns found in the conjugation of German verbs. Below is a list of German strong (irregular) verbs that do not follow a standard vowel pattern. Also see the mixed verbs in German.

Note: These verbs may have other English meanings besides the one shown.

Ablaut Class Exceptions - German
German Strong-Verb Conjugation Patterns
Principal Parts - Other
German Verb English Meaning
betrügen, betrog, betrogen deceive, deceived, deceived
erlöschen, erlosch, erloschen extinguish, extinguished, extinguished
gehen, ging, ist gegangen go, went, gone
kommen, kam, ist gekommen come, came, come
lügen, log, gelogen lie, lied, lied (falsehood)
saufen, soff, gesoffen drink, drank, drunk (alcohol)
saugen, sog, gesogen suck, sucked, sucked
schwören, schwor, geschworen swear, swore, sworn
stehen, stand, gestanden stand, stood, stood
tun, tat, getan do, did, done
Also see the mixed verbs in German.
BACK > Ablaut Classes - Strong verbs in German

MORE > Verb-Lexikon - All verbs (index)

Ablaut Classes - Alphabetical List
German Strong-Verb Vowel Patterns
a - ie - a (Class 7) ei - i - i (Class 1a)
a - u - a (Class 6) ei - ie - ie (Class 1b)
e - a - e (Class 5) i - a - o/u (Class 3a)
e - a - o (Class 3b/4) ie - o - o (Class 2)
e - o - o (Class 3b/4) [x] - ie - [x] (Class 7)
Ablaut Classes


Related Pages

German Verbs - Contents
Our contents page for everything related to German verbs.

Verb Examples
Example sentences in various tenses.

Mixed Verbs
German verbs that combine elements of both strong and weak verbs.

Regular Verbs - Present Tense
German regular verbs in the present tense - with example sentences.


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