In German, verbal aspects are expressed not by separate verb forms as in some languages, but through the use of different tenses and auxiliary constructions that indicate whether an action is completed, ongoing, or repeated. This includes the use of perfect tenses for completed actions, and special constructions for expressing ongoing (progressive) and habitual actions.
- Verbal aspects show how an action is viewed: completed, ongoing, or repeated.
- German uses tenses and constructions, not separate aspectual forms.
- Perfect tenses express completed actions.
- Progressive forms cover ongoing actions.
German expresses verbal aspects through tenses and auxiliary constructions, not separate aspectual verb forms.
Perfect Tenses
German perfect tenses express completed past actions and sometimes the resulting state.
The auxiliaries 'sein' and 'haben' are used for forming the perfect tense.
The German perfect tense marks actions as finished or events viewed from a resulting state, using haben or sein plus a past participle.
- Used for things done (or experienced) in the past.
- Auxiliary haben for most verbs; sein for motion/change verbs.
- Structure: haben/sein + past participle (e.g., Ich habe gegessen.)
Progressive Forms
Ongoing action is shown by 'sein' + a form like 'am + verb-ing' or by context.
German does not have a native continuous verb form like English '-ing'; it uses constructions instead.
German expresses ongoing (progressive) action mainly through context or a periphrastic construction: sein + am + [verb stem] + -en (for the verbal noun), e.g., Ich bin am Arbeiten ("I am working").
- No separate "-ing" verb form.
- Present tense can imply ongoing action by context.
- Progressive: sein + am + [verbal noun] (e.g., Er ist am Laufen.)
German core verbal aspects include completed (perfect), ongoing (progressive), and habitual.
Yes, repetition/habit is expressed by using the present tense or imperfect for habitual actions.
Conclusion
German verbal aspects are expressed through tenses and constructions rather than isolated verb forms, linking grammar to how actions are viewed in time.
- Perfect tenses show completed actions using haben/sein + past participle.
- Progressive is shown by sein + am + verbal noun or by context in present tense.
- Habitual actions are expressed by regular present or simple past usage with adverbs.