Difference between revisions of "Language/German/Grammar/Present-Tense"

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<div class="pg_page_title">[[Language/German|German]]  → [[Language/German/Grammar|Grammar]] → [[Language/German/Grammar/0-to-A1-Course|0 to A1 Course]] → Present Tense</div>


<div class="pg_page_title">German Grammar → Verbs and Conjugation → Present Tense</div>
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As a language learner, mastering present tense is a crucial milestone to express oneself in almost any situation in daily life. In this lesson, we will focus on the present tense and learn how to use it with regular and irregular verbs.
== Introduction ==


In this lesson, we will dive into the present tense in German. The present tense is used to describe actions that are happening right now or actions that happen regularly. It is an essential part of everyday communication, so mastering the present tense is crucial for beginners like you who are learning German. In this lesson, we will cover both regular and irregular verbs and provide you with plenty of examples and practice exercises to reinforce your understanding.


<span link>After mastering this lesson, these related pages might interest you: [[Language/German/Grammar/Descriptive-Adjectives|Descriptive Adjectives]] & [[Language/German/Grammar/Indefinite-Articles-in-German|Indefinite Articles in German]].</span>
== Regular Verbs ==
== Regular Verbs ==


Regular verbs follow a well-defined pattern when conjugated in present tense. In order to conjugate a regular verb, all you need to do is to remove the "-en" ending from the infinitive form, and add the appropriate ending according to the subject pronoun. Here are the endings:
Let's start by looking at regular verbs in the present tense. Regular verbs follow a predictable pattern when conjugated, which makes them relatively easier to learn compared to irregular verbs. In the present tense, regular verbs are conjugated based on the subject pronoun and the verb stem. The verb stem remains the same for all pronouns, except for the third-person singular (he/she/it), where an -s or -t is added at the end of the stem.
 
Here is an example of conjugating the regular verb "spielen" (to play) in the present tense:


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! Subject Pronouns !! Ending
! Pronoun !! Conjugation
|-
|-
| Ich (I) || -e
| ich || spiele
|-
|-
| Du (You, informal singular) || -st
| du || spielst
|-
|-
| Er, Sie, Es (He, She, It) || -t
| er/sie/es || spielt
|-
|-
| Wir (We) || -en
| wir || spielen
|-
|-
| Ihr (You, informal plural) || -t
| ihr || spielt
|-
|-
| Sie (You, formal plural) || -en
| sie/Sie || spielen
|}
|}


As an example, let's take the verb "tanzen" (to dance):
As you can see, the verb stem "spiel-" remains the same for all pronouns except for the third-person singular "spielt." This pattern applies to most regular verbs in German.


Now, let's practice conjugating some common regular verbs in the present tense. Repeat after me:
* gehen (to go)
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! German !! Pronunciation !! English
! Pronoun !! Conjugation
|-
| ich || gehe
|-
| du || gehst
|-
| er/sie/es || geht
|-
|-
| Ich tanze || ɪç ˈtant͡sə || I dance
| wir || gehen
|-
|-
| Du tanzt || duː ˈtant͡st || You dance (informal singular)
| ihr || geht
|-
| sie/Sie || gehen
|}
 
* arbeiten (to work)
{| class="wikitable"
! Pronoun !! Conjugation
|-
|-
| Er tanzt || ɛɐ̯ ˈtant͡st || He dances
| ich || arbeite
|-
|-
| Sie tanzt || ziː ˈtant͡st || She dances
| du || arbeitest
|-
|-
| Es tanzt || ɛs ˈtant͡st || It dances
| er/sie/es || arbeitet
|-
|-
| Wir tanzen || vɪɐ̯ ˈtant͡sn̩ || We dance
| wir || arbeiten
|-
|-
| Ihr tanzt || iːɐ̯ ˈtant͡st || You dance (informal plural)
| ihr || arbeitet
|-
|-
| Sie tanzen || ziː ˈtant͡sn̩ || You dance (formal plural)
| sie/Sie || arbeiten
|}
|}


Note that verbs ending with "-ieren" are also considered regular when it comes to present tense conjugation. In this case, we remove the "-ieren" ending and add "-iere" for the "Ich" form and "-ieren" for the rest of the subject pronouns. Let's take the verb "studieren" (to study) as an example:
* lesen (to read)
 
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! German !! Pronunciation !! English
! Pronoun !! Conjugation
|-
|-
| Ich studiere || ɪç ʃtuˈdiːʁə || I study
| ich || lese
|-
|-
| Du studierst || duː ʃtuˈdiːʁst || You study (informal singular)
| du || liest
|-
|-
| Er studiert || ɛɐ̯ ʃtuˈdiːʁt || He studies
| er/sie/es || liest
|-
|-
| Sie studiert || ziː ʃtuˈdiːʁt || She studies
| wir || lesen
|-
|-
| Es studiert || ɛs ʃtuˈdiːʁt || It studies
| ihr || lest
|-
|-
| Wir studieren || vɪɐ̯ ʃtuˈdiːʁən || We study
| sie/Sie || lesen
|-
| Ihr studiert || iːɐ̯ ʃtuˈdiːʁt || You study (informal plural)
|-
| Sie studieren || ziː ʃtuˈdiːʁən || You study (formal plural)
|}
|}
Great job! Regular verbs follow a consistent pattern in the present tense, and with practice, you will become more comfortable conjugating them correctly.


== Irregular Verbs ==
== Irregular Verbs ==


Unlike Regular verbs, irregular verbs have a unique conjugation pattern depending on the verb root. There is no specific rule to apply to conjugate an irregular verb, but with practice, you will learn how to conjugate the most common ones with ease.
Now, let's move on to irregular verbs in the present tense. Irregular verbs, as the name suggests, do not follow the regular conjugation patterns. Each irregular verb has its own unique conjugation forms, which you need to memorize. In this section, we will introduce you to some common irregular verbs and their conjugations in the present tense.


Here is a list of the most commonly used irregular verbs in German and their conjugation in present tense:
* sein (to be)
{| class="wikitable"
! Pronoun !! Conjugation
|-
| ich || bin
|-
| du || bist
|-
| er/sie/es || ist
|-
| wir || sind
|-
| ihr || seid
|-
| sie/Sie || sind
|}


* haben (to have)
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! German !! Pronunciation !! English
! Pronoun !! Conjugation
|-
| ich || habe
|-
| du || hast
|-
| er/sie/es || hat
|-
|-
| Ich bin || ɪç bɪn || I am
| wir || haben
|-
|-
| Du bist || duː bɪst || You are (informal singular)
| ihr || habt
|-
|-
| Er ist || ɛɐ̯ ɪst || He is
| sie/Sie || haben
|}
 
* gehen (to go)
{| class="wikitable"
! Pronoun !! Conjugation
|-
|-
| Sie ist || ziː ɪst || She is
| ich || gehe
|-
|-
| Es ist || ɛs ɪst || It is
| du || gehst
|-
|-
| Wir sind || vɪɐ̯ zɪnt || We are
| er/sie/es || geht
|-
|-
| Ihr seid || iːɐ̯ zaɪt || You are (informal plural)
| wir || gehen
|-
|-
| Sie sind || ziː zɪnt || You are (formal plural)
| ihr || geht
|-
| sie/Sie || gehen
|}
|}


* kommen (to come)
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! German !! Pronunciation !! English
! Pronoun !! Conjugation
|-
|-
| Ich habe || ɪç ˈhabe || I have
| ich || komme
|-
|-
| Du hast || duː ˈhast || You have (informal singular)
| du || kommst
|-
|-
| Er hat || ɛɐ̯ ˈhat || He has
| er/sie/es || kommt
|-
|-
| Sie hat || ziː ˈhat || She has
| wir || kommen
|-
|-
| Es hat || ɛs ˈhat || It has
| ihr || kommt
|-
|-
| Wir haben || vɪɐ̯ ˈhabən || We have
| sie/Sie || kommen
|}
 
Now, let's practice conjugating some more irregular verbs in the present tense. Repeat after me:
 
* essen (to eat)
{| class="wikitable"
! Pronoun !! Conjugation
|-
|-
| Ihr habt || iːɐ̯ ˈhabt || You have (informal plural)
| ich || esse
|-
|-
| Sie haben || ziː ˈhabən || You have (formal plural)
| du || isst
|-
| er/sie/es || isst
|-
| wir || essen
|-
| ihr || esst
|-
| sie/Sie || essen
|}
|}


* sehen (to see)
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! German !! Pronunciation !! English
! Pronoun !! Conjugation
|-
| ich || sehe
|-
| du || siehst
|-
| er/sie/es || sieht
|-
|-
| Ich gehe || ɪç ˈɡeːə || I go
| wir || sehen
|-
|-
| Du gehst || duː ˈɡeːst || You go (informal singular)
| ihr || seht
|-
| sie/Sie || sehen
|}
 
* nehmen (to take)
{| class="wikitable"
! Pronoun !! Conjugation
|-
|-
| Er geht || ɛɐ̯ ɡeːt || He goes
| ich || nehme
|-
|-
| Sie geht || ziː ɡeːt || She goes
| du || nimmst
|-
|-
| Es geht || ɛs ɡeːt || It goes
| er/sie/es || nimmt
|-
|-
| Wir gehen || vɪɐ̯ ˈɡeːən || We go
| wir || nehmen
|-
|-
| Ihr geht || iːɐ̯ ɡeːt || You go (informal plural)
| ihr || nehmt
|-
|-
| Sie gehen || ziː ˈɡeːən || You go (formal plural)
| sie/Sie || nehmen
|}
|}


== Common Situations ==
Well done! Irregular verbs require some extra effort to memorize their conjugation forms, but with practice and exposure, you will become more familiar with them.
 
== Using Present Tense in Common Situations ==
 
Now that you have learned how to conjugate regular and irregular verbs in the present tense, let's explore some common situations where you can use the present tense in German.
 
=== Talking about Daily Routines ===
 
One common use of the present tense is to talk about daily routines or habitual actions. For example:
 
* Ich stehe um 7 Uhr auf. (I get up at 7 o'clock.)
* Er fährt jeden Tag mit dem Fahrrad zur Arbeit. (He rides his bike to work every day.)
* Wir essen immer um 18 Uhr zu Abend. (We always have dinner at 6 o'clock.)
 
In these examples, the present tense is used to describe actions that happen regularly or as part of a daily routine.
 
=== Expressing Future Plans ===
 
The present tense can also be used to express future plans or scheduled events. In German, it is common to use the present tense instead of the future tense for informal conversations. For example:
 
* Morgen gehe ich ins Kino. (Tomorrow, I'm going to the cinema.)
* Nächste Woche fahren wir in den Urlaub. (Next week, we're going on vacation.)
* Am Samstag spiele ich Tennis. (On Saturday, I'm playing tennis.)
 
In these examples, the present tense is used to indicate future actions or events.
 
=== Describing Current Situations ===


Knowing how to use present tense in common situations is essential for effective communication in German. Here are a few examples:
Another use of the present tense is to describe current situations or states. For example:


* Expressing likes and dislikes: "Ich mag Musik" (I like music), "Ich mag keine Tomaten" (I don't like tomatoes).
* Ich lerne Deutsch. (I am learning German.)
* Talking about habits: "Ich gehe jeden Morgen zur Arbeit" (I go to work every morning), "Er trägt immer eine Brille" (He always wears glasses).
* Es regnet heute. (It is raining today.)
* Describing a condition: "Sie ist müde" (She is tired), "Er ist krank" (He is sick).
* Die Sonne scheint. (The sun is shining.)
* Expressing opinions: "Ich denke, dass es gut ist" (I think it's good), "Sie findet, dass es langweilig ist" (She thinks it's boring).


== Exercises ==
In these examples, the present tense is used to describe the current state or situation.


To practice present tense, here are a few exercises you can try:
=== Giving Instructions or Directions ===


* Conjugate the following regular verbs: "sprechen" (to speak), "spielen" (to play), "kaufen" (to buy).
The present tense is also used to give instructions or directions. For example:
* Conjugate the following irregular verbs: "machen" (to do/make), "wissen" (to know), "fahren" (to drive).
* Write a short paragraph about your daily routine using present tense.
* Write a short paragraph about your favorite hobby using present tense.


== Summary ==
* Du nimmst die erste Straße rechts. (You take the first street on the right.)
* Ihr schneidet die Zwiebeln in kleine Stücke. (You cut the onions into small pieces.)
* Sie geben den Teig in die Form und backen ihn bei 180 Grad. (You put the dough in the pan and bake it at 180 degrees.)


In this lesson, we learned how to use present tense with regular and irregular verbs in common situations. We also practiced conjugating both types of verbs. Present tense is fundamental to communicating in German, and with practice, you will become more comfortable using it.
In these examples, the present tense is used to give step-by-step instructions or directions.


<span class='maj'></span>
== Practice Exercises ==
==Sources==
 
* [https://www.vistawide.com/german/grammar/german_verbs_present_tense.htm German Grammar: Present Tense of Verbs - Grammatik der ...]
Now, let's practice what you have learned so far. Complete the following sentences with the correct form of the verb in the present tense:
* [https://www.thegermanprofessor.com/present-tense-verbs/ The present tense of German verbs - The German Professor]
 
* [https://deutsch.lingolia.com/en/grammar/tenses German Tenses – Past, Present and Future]
1. Ich __________ (lesen) gerne Bücher.
2. Du __________ (spielen) Fußball am Wochenende.
3. Er __________ (arbeiten) in einem Büro.
4. Wir __________ (gehen) oft ins Kino.
5. Ihr __________ (trinken) gerne Tee.
6. Sie __________ (haben) zwei Katzen.
7. Ich __________ (nehmen) den Bus zur Arbeit.
8. Du __________ (sehen) fern jeden Abend.
 
Check your answers below:
 
1. Ich lese gerne Bücher.
2. Du spielst Fußball am Wochenende.
3. Er arbeitet in einem Büro.
4. Wir gehen oft ins Kino.
5. Ihr trinkt gerne Tee.
6. Sie haben zwei Katzen.
7. Ich nehme den Bus zur Arbeit.
8. Du siehst fern jeden Abend.
 
Well done! Keep practicing to reinforce your understanding of the present tense in German.
 
== Conclusion ==
 
In this lesson, you have learned how to use the present tense in common situations with regular and irregular verbs. You now know how to conjugate regular verbs based on the subject pronoun and the verb stem, as well as how to memorize the conjugation forms of irregular verbs. Remember to practice using the present tense in various contexts to become more comfortable with its usage. Keep up the good work, and soon you will be able to communicate effectively in German using the present tense!


{{#seo:
{{#seo:
|title=German Grammar → Verbs and Conjugation → Present Tense
|title=German Grammar → Present Tense
|keywords=German, present tense, irregular verbs, regular verbs, conjugation, language learning
|keywords=German grammar, present tense, regular verbs, irregular verbs, conjugation, daily routines, future plans, describing current situations, giving instructions, practice exercises
|description=In this lesson, you will learn how to use present tense in German and conjugate regular and irregular verbs. Examples and exercises included.
|description=Learn how to use the present tense in common situations with regular and irregular verbs in German. Master the conjugation of regular and irregular verbs and practice using the present tense in various contexts.
}}
}}


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==Videos==
==Videos==
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===German Irregular (Strong) Verbs Present Tense - YouTube===
===German Irregular (Strong) Verbs Present Tense - YouTube===
<youtube>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vM_dweANshM</youtube>
<youtube>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vM_dweANshM</youtube>
==Sources==
* [https://www.vistawide.com/german/grammar/german_verbs_present_tense.htm German Grammar: Present Tense of Verbs - Grammatik der ...]
* [https://www.thegermanprofessor.com/present-tense-verbs/ The present tense of German verbs - The German Professor]
* [https://deutsch.lingolia.com/en/grammar/tenses German Tenses – Past, Present and Future]


==Other Lessons==
==Other Lessons==
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* [[Language/German/Grammar/How-to-Use-Have|How to Use Have]]
* [[Language/German/Grammar/How-to-Use-Have|How to Use Have]]
* [[Language/German/Grammar/Nouns|Nouns]]
* [[Language/German/Grammar/Nouns|Nouns]]


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Revision as of 08:01, 17 June 2023

◀️ Verb Forms — Previous Lesson Next Lesson — Separable Verbs ▶️

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German → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Present Tense

Introduction

In this lesson, we will dive into the present tense in German. The present tense is used to describe actions that are happening right now or actions that happen regularly. It is an essential part of everyday communication, so mastering the present tense is crucial for beginners like you who are learning German. In this lesson, we will cover both regular and irregular verbs and provide you with plenty of examples and practice exercises to reinforce your understanding.

Regular Verbs

Let's start by looking at regular verbs in the present tense. Regular verbs follow a predictable pattern when conjugated, which makes them relatively easier to learn compared to irregular verbs. In the present tense, regular verbs are conjugated based on the subject pronoun and the verb stem. The verb stem remains the same for all pronouns, except for the third-person singular (he/she/it), where an -s or -t is added at the end of the stem.

Here is an example of conjugating the regular verb "spielen" (to play) in the present tense:

Pronoun Conjugation
ich spiele
du spielst
er/sie/es spielt
wir spielen
ihr spielt
sie/Sie spielen

As you can see, the verb stem "spiel-" remains the same for all pronouns except for the third-person singular "spielt." This pattern applies to most regular verbs in German.

Now, let's practice conjugating some common regular verbs in the present tense. Repeat after me:

  • gehen (to go)
Pronoun Conjugation
ich gehe
du gehst
er/sie/es geht
wir gehen
ihr geht
sie/Sie gehen
  • arbeiten (to work)
Pronoun Conjugation
ich arbeite
du arbeitest
er/sie/es arbeitet
wir arbeiten
ihr arbeitet
sie/Sie arbeiten
  • lesen (to read)
Pronoun Conjugation
ich lese
du liest
er/sie/es liest
wir lesen
ihr lest
sie/Sie lesen

Great job! Regular verbs follow a consistent pattern in the present tense, and with practice, you will become more comfortable conjugating them correctly.

Irregular Verbs

Now, let's move on to irregular verbs in the present tense. Irregular verbs, as the name suggests, do not follow the regular conjugation patterns. Each irregular verb has its own unique conjugation forms, which you need to memorize. In this section, we will introduce you to some common irregular verbs and their conjugations in the present tense.

  • sein (to be)
Pronoun Conjugation
ich bin
du bist
er/sie/es ist
wir sind
ihr seid
sie/Sie sind
  • haben (to have)
Pronoun Conjugation
ich habe
du hast
er/sie/es hat
wir haben
ihr habt
sie/Sie haben
  • gehen (to go)
Pronoun Conjugation
ich gehe
du gehst
er/sie/es geht
wir gehen
ihr geht
sie/Sie gehen
  • kommen (to come)
Pronoun Conjugation
ich komme
du kommst
er/sie/es kommt
wir kommen
ihr kommt
sie/Sie kommen

Now, let's practice conjugating some more irregular verbs in the present tense. Repeat after me:

  • essen (to eat)
Pronoun Conjugation
ich esse
du isst
er/sie/es isst
wir essen
ihr esst
sie/Sie essen
  • sehen (to see)
Pronoun Conjugation
ich sehe
du siehst
er/sie/es sieht
wir sehen
ihr seht
sie/Sie sehen
  • nehmen (to take)
Pronoun Conjugation
ich nehme
du nimmst
er/sie/es nimmt
wir nehmen
ihr nehmt
sie/Sie nehmen

Well done! Irregular verbs require some extra effort to memorize their conjugation forms, but with practice and exposure, you will become more familiar with them.

Using Present Tense in Common Situations

Now that you have learned how to conjugate regular and irregular verbs in the present tense, let's explore some common situations where you can use the present tense in German.

Talking about Daily Routines

One common use of the present tense is to talk about daily routines or habitual actions. For example:

  • Ich stehe um 7 Uhr auf. (I get up at 7 o'clock.)
  • Er fährt jeden Tag mit dem Fahrrad zur Arbeit. (He rides his bike to work every day.)
  • Wir essen immer um 18 Uhr zu Abend. (We always have dinner at 6 o'clock.)

In these examples, the present tense is used to describe actions that happen regularly or as part of a daily routine.

Expressing Future Plans

The present tense can also be used to express future plans or scheduled events. In German, it is common to use the present tense instead of the future tense for informal conversations. For example:

  • Morgen gehe ich ins Kino. (Tomorrow, I'm going to the cinema.)
  • Nächste Woche fahren wir in den Urlaub. (Next week, we're going on vacation.)
  • Am Samstag spiele ich Tennis. (On Saturday, I'm playing tennis.)

In these examples, the present tense is used to indicate future actions or events.

Describing Current Situations

Another use of the present tense is to describe current situations or states. For example:

  • Ich lerne Deutsch. (I am learning German.)
  • Es regnet heute. (It is raining today.)
  • Die Sonne scheint. (The sun is shining.)

In these examples, the present tense is used to describe the current state or situation.

Giving Instructions or Directions

The present tense is also used to give instructions or directions. For example:

  • Du nimmst die erste Straße rechts. (You take the first street on the right.)
  • Ihr schneidet die Zwiebeln in kleine Stücke. (You cut the onions into small pieces.)
  • Sie geben den Teig in die Form und backen ihn bei 180 Grad. (You put the dough in the pan and bake it at 180 degrees.)

In these examples, the present tense is used to give step-by-step instructions or directions.

Practice Exercises

Now, let's practice what you have learned so far. Complete the following sentences with the correct form of the verb in the present tense:

1. Ich __________ (lesen) gerne Bücher. 2. Du __________ (spielen) Fußball am Wochenende. 3. Er __________ (arbeiten) in einem Büro. 4. Wir __________ (gehen) oft ins Kino. 5. Ihr __________ (trinken) gerne Tee. 6. Sie __________ (haben) zwei Katzen. 7. Ich __________ (nehmen) den Bus zur Arbeit. 8. Du __________ (sehen) fern jeden Abend.

Check your answers below:

1. Ich lese gerne Bücher. 2. Du spielst Fußball am Wochenende. 3. Er arbeitet in einem Büro. 4. Wir gehen oft ins Kino. 5. Ihr trinkt gerne Tee. 6. Sie haben zwei Katzen. 7. Ich nehme den Bus zur Arbeit. 8. Du siehst fern jeden Abend.

Well done! Keep practicing to reinforce your understanding of the present tense in German.

Conclusion

In this lesson, you have learned how to use the present tense in common situations with regular and irregular verbs. You now know how to conjugate regular verbs based on the subject pronoun and the verb stem, as well as how to memorize the conjugation forms of irregular verbs. Remember to practice using the present tense in various contexts to become more comfortable with its usage. Keep up the good work, and soon you will be able to communicate effectively in German using the present tense!

Table of Contents - German Course - 0 to A1


Basic Sentence Structures


Greetings and Introduction


Definite and Indefinite Articles


Numbers, Dates and Time


Verbs and Conjugation


Family and Friends


Prepositions


Food and Drinks


Germany and German-Speaking Countries


Pronouns and Possessives


Travel and Transportation


Modal Verbs


Shopping and Clothes


Music and Entertainment


Adjectives


Health and Body


Time and Temporal Prepositions

Videos

The German Present Tense Explained | A1 Beginner - YouTube

The Present Perfect Tense: German Strong Verbs - YouTube

German Irregular (Strong) Verbs Present Tense - YouTube


Sources


Other Lessons



◀️ Verb Forms — Previous Lesson Next Lesson — Separable Verbs ▶️

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