ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the use of perfect tense in the German grammar. The perfect tense in German is usually used to refer to events in the past. Some of these may have relevance to the present; others may be completed actions in the past which would be expressed using the past tense rather than the perfect in English. This means that events in the past can be expressed in German either by using the past tense or the perfect. The perfect tense is formed using the present tense of the auxiliary verb haben or sein plus the past participle of the main verb. The chapter explains the formation of regular past participles and irregular past participles. It is designed for both classroom use and independent study, providing step-by-step approach to perfect tense and multiple exercises for the students to rehearse and practise themselves.
