Which word correctly depicts the action of stealing in the past?

In the case of 'spielen' which is an action verb, we typically use 'haben' as an auxiliary verb when forming the past tense. Thus, 'Die Kinder haben im Park gespielt' (The children played in the park) is the correct sentence. 'Sein' is usually used with verbs that depict movement or state change, which is not the case with 'spielen'. Understanding the appropriate usage of 'haben' and 'sein' forms a fundamental part mastering past tense in the German language.

• Auxiliary Verbs

Since 'schwimmen' can imply motion when combined with 'gehen,' 'sein' is used as the auxiliary verb in 'Mein Bruder ist gestern schwimmen gegangen,' translating to 'My brother went swimming yesterday.' This usage of 'sein' is due to the motion indicated by 'gegangen.' Understanding when to use 'haben' or 'sein' with verbs like 'schwimmen' in different contexts is key for German fluency.

• Auxiliary Verbs

'Spielen' is an action verb that typically requires the verb 'haben' as an auxiliary when forming the perfect tense. Therefore, 'Der Hund hat im Garten gespielt' (The dog played in the garden) is the correct sentence. 'Ist' is generally used with intransitive verbs, especially those depicting movement or state change, which is not the case with 'spielen'. The correct use of 'haben' and 'sein' in the right context forms a crucial part of accurately conveying meaning in the German language.

• Auxiliary Verbs

For the verb 'schreiben' (to write), 'haben' is the correct auxiliary verb in the past tense, not 'sein'. So the correct sentence is 'Er hat einen Brief geschrieben' which means 'He has written a letter'. When you use 'schreiben', it is about an action that has been done, in this case, writing a letter, thus 'haben' is used. Understanding this distinction is crucial in conveying the intended action in the German language.

• Auxiliary Verbs

The correct form for 'müssen' in the third person singular is 'muss'. For the sentence "Er muss nach Hause gehen", the full translation is "He has to (must) go home."

• Modal Verbs

'Wachsen' indicates a change of state (to grow) which typically requires 'sein' as the auxiliary verb in past tenses. Hence, 'Sie sind gestern sehr schnell gewachsen' (They grew very quickly yesterday) is the correct sentence. 'Haben' could be used with 'wachsen' in certain dialects or colloquial usage, but is generally considered less standard. Mastering the appropriate usage of 'haben' and 'sein' enhances the precision of expressing states and actions in the German language.

• Auxiliary Verbs

The correct form for 'dürfen' in the third person plural for a negative statement is 'dürfen'. The full translation is "You (plural) may not smoke".

• Modal Verbs

The correct form for "dürfen" in the second person singular is "darfst". In German, the verb "dürfen" (to be allowed to, can) is conjugated differently depending on the subject. For the second person singular, such as when addressing someone directly with "you" in English, "dürfen" is conjugated as "darfst." This form applies in sentences like "Du darfst das machen" (You are allowed to do that). This conjugation is part of the pattern in German where most verbs change their endings based on the subject's person and number, ensuring that the verb agrees with its subject. Remembering these conjugation patterns is crucial for correctly constructing sentences in German.

• Modal Verbs

When using the verb 'fahren' in the German past tense, 'sein' is the correct auxiliary verb to indicate movement or travel, such as in 'Ich bin nach Berlin gefahren' which means 'I traveled to Berlin'. The choice of 'sein' over 'haben' is pivotal in such contexts because 'fahren' is an intransitive verb that implies a change of location, a state where 'sein' is appropriate to express the action. However, in the sentence 'Ich habe das Auto gefahren' ('I have driven the car'), it uses 'haben' because it emphasizes the action of driving a specific object – the car. Understanding the nuances of 'haben' and 'sein' helps in accurately conveying past actions and is essential for fluency in German.

• Auxiliary Verbs

The correct form for 'wollen' in the second person plural is 'wollt'. The full translation is "You (plural) want to learn to dance".

• Modal Verbs