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Present-tense endings change by person: ich lerne, du lernst, er lernt, wir lernen.
VERBS & SENTENCES · A1–A2
Verben: Put action into every sentence.
Practise present-tense verb endings, German verb position, and an everyday separable verb.
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THE SHORT VERSION
Verben, made clear.
Start with these three ideas. Then test them in real German sentences.
Keep the finite verb second
In a main statement, the conjugated verb is in second position: “Heute lerne ich Deutsch.” The first position can be a time phrase.
Separate some verb prefixes
With aufstehen in a main clause, the prefix moves to the end: “Ich stehe um sieben Uhr auf.”
SEE THE DIFFERENCE
Ich lerne heute Deutsch. → subject first, verb second
Heute lerne ich Deutsch. → time first, verb still second
Ich stehe früh auf. → separable prefix at the end
Second position means the second sentence element, not necessarily the second written word.A CLOSER LOOK
Conjugate, position, then complete
The finite verb agrees with the subject and occupies a predictable position. Work out the form first; then place it in the sentence.
Present-tense endings
| Subject | Form | Ending |
|---|---|---|
| ich | lerne | -e |
| du | lernst | -st |
| er/sie/es | lernt | -t |
| wir | lernen | -en |
| ihr | lernt | -t |
| sie/Sie | lernen | -en |
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Some verbs change their stem vowel for du and er/sie/es: fahren → du fährst, er fährt.
Position by sentence type
Main statement: “Heute lerne ich Deutsch.” The finite verb is the second element. Yes/no question: “Lernst du Deutsch?” It comes first. Weil-clause: “..., weil ich Deutsch lerne.” It goes to the end. In a main clause with a separable verb: “Ich stehe früh auf.”
Try this: Second position means the second element, not necessarily the second word.
For a fuller reference, see the Goethe-Institut German grammar overview ↗.
YOUR VERBEN CHALLENGE
Six sentences.
One insight at a time.
Choose the missing word. Learn from each answer, then try the next sentence.
LEVEL 10 / 6 correct first try
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YOUR NEXT SENTENCE
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Verben, without the confusion.
Why does lernen change to lernst?
German present-tense verbs agree with the subject: du lernst.
What does verb second mean?
The conjugated verb is the second element of a main statement, even when a time phrase comes first.
What is a separable verb?
Its prefix moves to the end of a main clause: aufstehen → ich stehe auf.