Irregular verb tables 2 (AQA GCSE German): Revision Notes
Irregular verb tables 2
Understanding irregular verbs is crucial for mastering German grammar. These verbs don't follow the standard conjugation patterns, so you need to learn their specific forms by heart. This table shows some of the most important irregular verbs you'll encounter in your GCSE German studies.
Understanding the table structure
The table displays four key pieces of information for each irregular verb to help you master their conjugations:
Infinitive/Meaning: The basic form of the verb and its English translation 3rd person present singular: The "er/sie/es" form used in present tense 3rd person present plural: The "sie/Sie" form used in present tense and formal address Past participle: The form used to create perfect tenses
Key irregular verbs you need to know
Movement and position verbs
These verbs often involve movement or changes in position and typically use "sein" in perfect tenses:
- fahren (to drive/travel): fährt → fuhr → gefahren*
- gehen (to go): geht → ging → gegangen*
- kommen (to come): kommt → kam → gekommen*
- laufen (to run): läuft → lief → gelaufen*
- stehen (to stand): steht → stand → gestanden*
Communication verbs
- sprechen (to speak): spricht → sprach → gesprochen
- schreiben (to write): schreibt → schrieb → geschrieben
- lesen (to read): liest → las → gelesen
Daily activity verbs
- essen (to eat): isst → aß → gegessen
- trinken (to drink): trinkt → trank → getrunken
- schlafen (to sleep): schläft → schlief → geschlafen
- nehmen (to take): nimmt → nahm → genommen
Important auxiliary verbs
- sein (to be): ist → war → gewesen*
- haben (to have): hat → hatte → gehabt
- werden (to become): wird → wurde → geworden*
Grammar tips for perfect tense formation
Using haben vs sein
Most German verbs use "haben" to form the perfect tense, but some important verbs use "sein". The asterisk (*) in the table indicates verbs that use "sein".
Verbs that use sein typically follow these patterns:
- Show movement or change of position
- Indicate a change of state
- Are intransitive (don't take a direct object)
This is a critical rule that many students find challenging, so pay special attention to these patterns.
Perfect Tense Examples with sein:
- Sie ist nach Berlin gefahren (She travelled to Berlin)
- Er ist sehr müde geworden (He became very tired)
Verbs that can use both haben and sein
Some verbs marked with (*) can use either auxiliary verb depending on whether they have a direct object:
Critical distinction to avoid common mistakes:
With direct object (transitive) → use haben:
- Er hat sein neues Auto gefahren (He drove his new car)
Without direct object (intransitive) → use sein:
- Sie ist nach Köln gefahren (She travelled to Cologne)
Pronunciation guidance
Many irregular verbs have vowel changes in their stem. Pay attention to these patterns as they will help you remember the conjugations:
- a → ä: fahren → fährt, schlafen → schläft
- e → i: nehmen → nimmt, sprechen → spricht
- e → ie: sehen → sieht, lesen → liest
Example sentences with translations
Worked Examples: Irregular Verbs in Context
Present tense examples:
- Er spricht sehr gut Deutsch (He speaks German very well)
- Sie nimmt den Bus zur Schule (She takes the bus to school)
- Wir essen gerne Pizza (We like eating pizza)
Perfect tense examples:
- Ich habe einen Brief geschrieben (I have written a letter)
- Sie sind nach Hause gegangen (They have gone home)
- Wir haben viel Wasser getrunken (We have drunk a lot of water)
Translation practice
Translation Practice: Test Your Understanding
German to English:
- Er ist gestern nach München gefahren
- Wir haben einen interessanten Film gesehen
English to German: 3. She has forgotten her homework 4. They spoke with the teacher yesterday
Answers:
- He travelled to Munich yesterday
- We have seen/saw an interesting film
- Sie hat ihre Hausaufgaben vergessen
- Sie haben gestern mit dem Lehrer gesprochen
Key Points to Remember:
- Irregular verbs don't follow standard patterns - you must memorise their forms
- Verbs with an asterisk (*) use "sein" in perfect tenses
- Some verbs can use either "haben" or "sein" depending on whether they have a direct object
- Many irregular verbs have vowel changes in present tense (especially in 3rd person singular)
- Focus on the verbs highlighted for your exam tier - these are the most important ones to learn thoroughly