Plusquamperfekt übungen Pdf Mit Lösungen

The Plusquamperfekt, often translated as the pluperfect or past perfect in English, is a German verb tense used to describe an action that was completed before another action in the past. It helps to establish a sequence of events, indicating which occurred earlier.

Understanding the Plusquamperfekt

The core function of the Plusquamperfekt is to show anteriority. This means it shows that something happened before something else in the past. Without it, understanding the chronological order of events can become ambiguous. Consider these two simple sentences:

Ich ging ins Kino. Ich hatte gegessen.

These translate to: "I went to the cinema. I had eaten." While the meaning is generally clear, using the Plusquamperfekt clarifies that the eating occurred before going to the cinema:

Ich ging ins Kino, nachdem ich gegessen hatte.

This translates to: "I went to the cinema after I had eaten." The Plusquamperfekt (hatte gegessen) explicitly states the order of events.

Formation of the Plusquamperfekt

The Plusquamperfekt is formed using the past tense forms of the auxiliary verbs haben (to have) or sein (to be) and the Partizip II (past participle) of the main verb. The choice between haben and sein depends on the main verb, following similar rules as the Perfekt (present perfect) tense.

Haben + Partizip II: Most transitive verbs (verbs that take a direct object) and reflexive verbs use haben. Examples: Ich hatte das Buch gelesen (I had read the book), Er hatte sich gewaschen (He had washed himself).
Sein + Partizip II: Intransitive verbs (verbs that do not take a direct object) that indicate a change of location or state use sein. Examples: Wir waren nach Berlin gefahren (We had driven to Berlin), Sie war eingeschlafen (She had fallen asleep).

Here are a few more examples demonstrating the formation:

spielen (to play): Ich hatte gespielt. (I had played.)
lernen (to learn): Du hattest gelernt. (You had learned.)
reisen (to travel): Er war gereist. (He had traveled.)
kommen (to come): Sie war gekommen. (She had come.)
sich freuen (to be happy): Wir hatten uns gefreut. (We had been happy.)

Remember, the auxiliary verb (hatte or war) is conjugated according to the subject, and the Partizip II typically goes at the end of the clause (in main clauses). In subordinate clauses, the auxiliary verb also goes to the end, following the Partizip II.

Using the Plusquamperfekt Correctly

The key to using the Plusquamperfekt is to understand its relationship to other past tenses, particularly the Präteritum (simple past) and the Perfekt. The Plusquamperfekt establishes an action as having occurred before the action described in either the Präteritum or Perfekt.

Consider these examples, comparing the use of the Präteritum and Perfekt as the reference point:

Example 1 (with Präteritum):

Als ich nach Hause kam (Präteritum), hatte mein Bruder schon gegessen (Plusquamperfekt).

Translation: "When I came home (simple past), my brother had already eaten (past perfect)." The Plusquamperfekt indicates that the brother's eating was completed before the speaker arrived home.

Example 2 (with Perfekt):

Ich war traurig, weil ich mein Handy verloren hatte (Plusquamperfekt).

Translation: "I was sad because I had lost my phone (past perfect)." Here, the sadness (expressed using a form of "sein") is the result of having lost the phone earlier. Although "war" appears to be Präteritum it is paired with "traurig" which makes it a description of being, not doing. Using the Plusquamperfekt (verloren hatte) clearly indicates that the loss occurred before the feeling of sadness.

It's also important to note that using the Plusquamperfekt is often optional if the sequence of events is clear from the context or from adverbs of time like zuerst (first), danach (afterwards), bevor (before), and nachdem (after).

For instance:

Nachdem ich meine Hausaufgaben gemacht hatte, ging ich ins Bett.

This can also be written as:

Nachdem ich meine Hausaufgaben machte, ging ich ins Bett.

In this case, the use of nachdem clearly indicates the order of events, so the Präteritum (machte) is acceptable. However, using the Plusquamperfekt provides even greater clarity and emphasis on the completed action.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

One of the most common mistakes is using the Plusquamperfekt when the Präteritum or Perfekt would suffice. Remember, the Plusquamperfekt is specifically for actions completed before another past action. If you are simply recounting a series of past events in chronological order, the Präteritum or Perfekt is usually sufficient.

Another mistake is incorrectly choosing between haben and sein as the auxiliary verb. Review the rules for the Perfekt tense, as they apply similarly to the Plusquamperfekt. Pay close attention to verbs indicating a change of location or state, as these typically require sein.

Practice Exercises (and where to find solutions)

The best way to master the Plusquamperfekt is through practice. Look for exercises that require you to transform sentences into the Plusquamperfekt or to choose the correct tense (Präteritum, Perfekt, or Plusquamperfekt) based on context.

Here's a sample exercise:

Exercise: Fill in the blanks with the correct Plusquamperfekt form.

Bevor er ins Bett ging, _____ er seine Zähne _____. (putzen)
Nachdem sie das Buch _____, _____ sie einen Film _____. (lesen/sehen)
Wir _____ schon im Urlaub _____, als das Problem begann. (sein)
Er war sehr müde, weil er die ganze Nacht _____ _____. (arbeiten)
Sie _____ sich sehr gefreut, als sie die Nachricht _____. (freuen/hören)

Solution for the exercise:

Bevor er ins Bett ging, hatte er seine Zähne geputzt.
Nachdem sie das Buch gelesen hatte, hatte sie einen Film gesehen.
Wir waren schon im Urlaub gewesen, als das Problem begann.
Er war sehr müde, weil er die ganze Nacht gearbeitet hatte.
Sie hatte sich sehr gefreut, als sie die Nachricht gehört hatte.

Finding Practice Materials with Solutions:

Many online resources provide exercises for German grammar, including the Plusquamperfekt. When searching online, look for terms like "Plusquamperfekt Übungen mit Lösungen PDF" (Plusquamperfekt exercises with solutions PDF). You can also search for interactive exercises on websites dedicated to German language learning. Here are some possible resources:

Deutsch perfekt website: This magazine and website often provide grammar exercises with solutions.
Schubert-Verlag: Known for comprehensive grammar resources. Check their website for free materials or workbooks.
Online German courses like Duolingo or Babbel: These platforms typically offer exercises with instant feedback, helping you understand the Plusquamperfekt in context.
Your local library: They may have textbooks or workbooks on German grammar that contain exercises and answer keys.

By understanding the principles of the Plusquamperfekt and practicing regularly, you can effectively communicate sequences of events in the past and improve your overall German language skills.