What are the three main verb conjugation patterns in German? Provide examples for each pattern.

In German, verbs are conjugated to match the subject of the sentence in terms of person (first, second, or third) and number (singular or plural). There are three main verb conjugation patterns in German: weak verbs, strong verbs, and mixed verbs.

1. Weak Verbs: Weak verbs follow a regular conjugation pattern by adding a suffix to the stem of the verb. The most common weak verb conjugation pattern is the "-(e)n" ending for the infinitive form. Here are examples of weak verb conjugations in the present tense:

* Infinitive: arbeiten (to work)


+ Ich arbeite (I work)
+ Du arbeitest (You work)
+ Er/sie/es arbeitet (He/she/it works)
+ Wir arbeiten (We work)
+ Ihr arbeitet (You work)
+ Sie arbeiten (They work)
* Infinitive: lernen (to learn)


+ Ich lerne (I learn)
+ Du lernst (You learn)
+ Er/sie/es lernt (He/she/it learns)
+ Wir lernen (We learn)
+ Ihr lernt (You learn)
+ Sie lernen (They learn)
2. Strong Verbs: Strong verbs have irregular conjugation patterns and undergo changes in the stem vowel to indicate tense and person. There are several classes of strong verbs based on the vowel changes. Here are examples of strong verb conjugations in the present tense:

* Infinitive: trinken (to drink)


+ Ich trinke (I drink)
+ Du trinkst (You drink)
+ Er/sie/es trinkt (He/she/it drinks)
+ Wir trinken (We drink)
+ Ihr trinkt (You drink)
+ Sie trinken (They drink)
* Infinitive: lesen (to read)


+ Ich lese (I read)
+ Du liest (You read)
+ Er/sie/es liest (He/she/it reads)
+ Wir lesen (We read)
+ Ihr lest (You read)
+ Sie lesen (They read)
3. Mixed Verbs: Mixed verbs combine characteristics of both weak and strong verbs. They follow a weak verb pattern in the present tense but undergo vowel changes in the past tense. Here are examples of mixed verb conjugations in the present tense:

* Infinitive: helfen (to help)


+ Ich helfe (I help)
+ Du hilfst (You help)
+ Er/sie/es hilft (He/she/it helps)
+ Wir helfen (We help)
+ Ihr helft (You help)
+ Sie helfen (They help)
* Infinitive: nehmen (to take)


+ Ich nehme (I take)
+ Du nimmst (You take)
+ Er/sie/es nimmt (He/she/it takes)
+ Wir nehmen (We take)
+ Ihr nehmt (You take)
+ Sie nehmen (They take)

These examples illustrate the conjugation patterns for weak, strong, and mixed verbs in the present tense. However, it's important to note that verb conjugation can vary depending on the tense, mood, and voice.