Historical Linguistics Laboratory
Ablaut & Vowel Gradation Studio 🎼
German and English irregular verbs aren't random. They are governed by ancient Ablautreihen (vowel gradation series). Discover the 7 classes that explain hundreds of verbs!
Ablaut Class 3 (Nasal / Liquid + Consonant)
i ➔ a ➔ u
When a root has a vowel followed by a liquid (r, l) or nasal (m, n) + consonant, the vowel shifts systematically from high front /i/ to low central /a/ to back /u/.
40+
Verbs in English & German
🔄 Symmetrical Sister Verbs (German 🇩🇪 & English 🇬🇧)
| Language | Infinitive (Base) | Past (Präteritum) | Participle (Partizip II) | Vowel Progression |
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Predictive Intuition Test
Can You Predict the Vowel Shift?
If German sinken (to sink) follows Class 3 (i - a - u), what is its Präteritum (past simple) form?