Learn German lesson 8: the verbs in the present II (grammar, words, exercises)

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Previous lesson: verbs: present tense I

Lesson 8: The present tense II

Let's see some more exceptions to the 'weak verbs' after the first batch. If a weak verb's stem ends with -er or -el and is not stressed, the 'e' in the conjugations is left out. For example:

Liefern (= to deliver)

• ich liefre (not liefere)
• du lieferst
• er/sie/es liefert
• wir liefern (not lieferen)
• ihr liefert
• sie/Sie liefern (not lieferen)

Handeln (= to act (not like as in a movie/play))

• ich handle
• du handelst
• er/sie/es handelt
• wir handeln
• ihr handelt
• sie/Sie handeln

If you know the infinitive, you can already notice there is no -en at the end, just an -n as in the wir/sie/Sie conjugations.

Second exception for the 'weak' verbs: those whose stem ends with an 's' or 'z' sound. (s, ß, z and x). In the second person, the 's' is left out. It is for not having to write a double s.

Duzen (= to speak informally)

• ich duze 
• du duzt
• er/sie/es duzt
• wir duzen
• ihr duzt
• sie/Sie duzen

Words (some extra verbs for the exercises):

• Liefern (= to deliver)
• Handeln (= to act)
• Setzen (= to set, put, place)
• Entwickeln (= to develop)
• Schließen (= to close)

Exercises:

Translate the following:

1. he speaks formally
2. you act (plural)
3. she puts
4. you greet (politeness)
5. you close (singular)
6. they deliver
7. I develop
8. it closes
9. we deliver

Check the previous lessons' words if necessary.

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Solutions:

1. Er siezt
2. Ihr handelt
3. sie setzt
4. Sie grußen
5. du schließt
6. sie liefern
7. ich entwickle
8. es schließt
9. wir liefern

Next lesson: meeting exercise
Previous lesson: verbs: present tense I

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