B1Verbs

Participles

The present participle is formed from the infinitive + '-d' (lachend, spielend) and describes a simultaneous action.

Take a look

Das schlafende Kind liegt im Bett.

The sleeping child is lying in bed.

Take a look

Das schlafende Kind liegt im Bett.The sleeping child is lying in bed.
Die geöffnete Tür steht weit offen.The open door is standing wide open.
Lachend ging sie aus dem Raum.Laughing, she left the room.
Der geschriebene Brief liegt auf dem Tisch.The written letter is lying on the table.

The rule

The present participle is formed from the infinitive + '-d' (lachend, spielend) and describes a simultaneous action. The past participle is used for the present perfect, the passive, and as an adjective. Both participles can stand before a noun like adjectives and are then declined. Present participle: infinitive + -d: schlafend, lachend, spielend (simultaneous action, active). Past participle: ge- + stem + -t/-en: gemacht, geschrieben (completed action, passive). As an adjective before a noun, participles are declined: der lachende Mann, das geöffnete Fenster. Present participle = active/simultaneous: Das spielende Kind (= das Kind, das spielt). Past participle = passive/completed: Das geöffnete Fenster (= das Fenster, das geöffnet wurde).

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The forms

Participle I and II

Grundform	Partizip I (tut gerade)	Partizip II (ist getan)
kochen	das kochende Wasser	das gekochte Ei
schreiben	die schreibende Autorin	der geschriebene Brief
öffnen	die sich öffnende Tür	die geöffnete Tür
spielen	die spielenden Kinder	das gespielte Lied
lachen	Lachend ging sie hinaus.	—

Quick check

Form the present participle.singen → ___
Choose the correct form.Die ___ Frau winkt uns zu.
Insert the correct participle.Das ___ Fenster lässt kalte Luft herein. (to open, past participle)
Correct the mistake.Der geschreibene Brief ist fertig.
Present participle or past participle?Der ___ Hund bellt laut. (to bark, simultaneous)
Form the past participle as an adjective.ein gut ___ Steak (to fry)

The answers appear after “Check”.

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Verbs

A1Sein and habenWhy is it “ich bin” but “er ist”?A1Separable verbsWhy is “auf” at the end?A2Können, müssen and wollenWhy does “sein” appear after “muss”?A2Reflexive verbsWhy is mich in “Ich freue mich auf das Wochenende”?B1Passive voiceThe passive voice is used when the action is more important than who performs it.B1Subjunctive IISubjunctive II expresses unreal situations, wishes, polite requests, and hypothetical conditions.

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