Non-finite verb forms in German
(The three unconjugated verb forms in German grammar)
Table of contents – non-finite verb forms
On this page you will find the following:
What are non-finite verb forms?
German grammar knows three different non-finite forms of the verb, which are the infinitive and the two participles (Präsens and Perfekt). ‘Non-finite’ means that you cannot recognise features like the grammatical person or number directly based on its appearance. Therefore, non-finite verbs are not conjugated.
Compare the list of the three German non-finite verb forms in example sentences:
- The infinitive is usually used with modal or other auxiliary verbs:
- reden (to speak), gehen (to walk), singen (to sing), etc.
- „Peter kann gut reden.“ (Peter can speak well.)
- The non-finite appears with modal verb ‘kann’.
- „Die Chefin wird bezahlen.“ (The boss is going to pay.)
- The auxiliary verb ‘wird’ accompanies the infinitive ‘bezahlen’ to express the future.
- „Peter kann gut reden.“ (Peter can speak well.)
- reden (to speak), gehen (to walk), singen (to sing), etc.
- The first or present participle (Partizip Präsens) is utilised as an adjective or adverb, for example:
- fahrend (driving), lernend (learning), dauernd (continuing), etc.
- „Das würde mich auch brennend interessieren.“ (I’d also be really interested in that.)
- Here, the present participle is an adverb.
- „Die speisenden Gäste sehen sehr zufrieden aus.“ (The dining guests look very pleased.)
- This sentence shows the participle as an adjective.
- „Das würde mich auch brennend interessieren.“ (I’d also be really interested in that.)
- fahrend (driving), lernend (learning), dauernd (continuing), etc.
- The second or past participle (Partizip Perfekt) is needed for the formation of specific tenses (the compound tenses), but it can also function as an adjective:
- gekocht (cooked), gegangen (gone), gesagt (said), etc.
- „Davor hatte er sich bereits ein Auto gekauft.“ (Before that, he had already bought a car.)
- Here, the past participle is the main verb and forms the Plusquamperfekt (past perfect) together with ‘hatte’ as auxiliary verb.
- „Mensch, das hab’ ich total vergessen.“ (Boy, I totally forgot that.)
- Here, the participle is part of the Perfekt tense (present perfect).
- „Die verkaufte Ware wird sofort nachbestellt.“ (The goods sold will be reordered immediately.)
- This example shows the past participle as an adjective.
- „Davor hatte er sich bereits ein Auto gekauft.“ (Before that, he had already bought a car.)
- gekocht (cooked), gegangen (gone), gesagt (said), etc.
Further explanations relating to the ‘Non-finite verb forms’
The following explanations are related to the topic ‘Non-finite (unconjugated) verb forms in German grammar’ and may be interesting as well:
