Answers>German>IB>Article

When and how do we use "haben" or "sein" when conjugating the past tense?

In German we have 2 "helping" verbs for conjugating the past tense. Haben is used more often for conjugating the past, it is conjugated in numerous ways depending on the personal pronoun. Haben is used as our auxillary verb to describe non-movement final verbs. The final verb is at the end of the sentence usually, unless we have a conjunction or connecting sentence that rearranges the order. Haben is conjugated with the personal pronoun and the final verb is left in the infinitive form. "Sein" then on the other is used to describe movement verbs. Any verb that describes movement such as fahren (to go by transport), gehen (to go by foot) or kommen (to come) must have "sein" as the auxillary verb. Similarly to haben, it is conjugated differently depending on the personal pronoun. The order of the final verb is usually at the end too, unless we have a conjugation or connecting sentence that changes the order. The final verb is also left in infinitive.

Answered by Charlie R. German tutor

5848 Views

See similar German IB tutors

Related German IB answers

All answers ▸

The increasing role of anglicisms in the German language is a negative development. Discuss.


Please explain (in German) what you did last summer. Bitte erklären Sie was Sie letzten Sommer gemacht haben.


Translate the following sentence into German: "Before starting to enjoy travelling I spent my time off at home watching television."


Schreiben Sie einen Brief an ihren/ihrer Deutsch Lehrer/Lehrerin, und erzählen Sie was Ihnen am Sprachunterricht gefallen hat und weshalb er so effizient war. (from past IB exam)


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences