UNT: Present Perfect Tense - Forming Participles

Present Perfect Tense - Forming Participles

The conversational way to say something in the past is called the Present Perfect Tense. In this case, you must use a helping verb (haben ; sein) and a participle.

Participles for Weak Verbs (ge + stem + t)

To form participles of weak verbs, you normally add ge- to the front and a -t to the end of the stem.

Example:  

  • machen
    • stem: mach- (machen - en)
  • Add ge- to the front of the stem: ge + mach-
  • Add -t to the stem: gemach- + t
    • Participle: gemacht

Participles for verbs ending in -ieren

When the verb ends in -ieren, you do not add ge- to the beginning, instead just add -t to the stem:

  • studieren
    • Stem: studier- (studieren - en)
  • Add -t to the stem: studier + t
    • Participle: studiert

Participles for verbs with separable prefixes (prefix + ge + stem + t)

When a verb has a separable prefix, put the -ge- between the prefix and the rest of the verb. You still add the -t to the end if it is a weak verb.

Separable prefixes: ab, an, auf, aus, bei, ein, fort, weg, hin, mit, nach, vor, zu, zurück

Example:  

  • aufmachen
    • stem: aufmach- (aufmachen - en)
  • Add -ge- between prefix and main stem: auf + ge + mach-
  • Add -t to the stem: aufgemach- + t
    • Participle: aufgemacht

Participles for verbs with inseparable prefixes (stem + t for weak verbs)

When a verb has an inseparable prefix, you do not add anything to the front, but add the -t if it is a weak verb.

Inseparable prefixes: be, ent, er, ver, zer, emp

Example:  

  • benutzen
    • stem: benutz- (benutzen - en)
  • Add -t to the stem: benutz- + t
    • Participle: benutzt

Verbs ending in -t or -d (add -e before -t)

When a stem ends in a -t or -d, then you add an extra -e to the stem before the -t. The other rules may still apply.

Examples:

  • baden
    • Stem: bad- (baden - en)
    • Add ge- to the front of the stem (weak verb): ge + bad
    • Add -e to the stem: gebad + e
    • Add -t to the newly formed stem: gebade + t
      • Participle: gebadet
  • warten
    • Stem: wart- (warten - en)
    • Add ge- to the front of the stem (weak verb): ge + wart
    • Add -e to the stem: gewart + e
    • Add -t to the newly formed stem: gewarte + t
      • Participle: gewartet

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