Background and what happened
Use simple past for background states and familiar repeated activities. In addition to and , learn zitten → zat/zaten, slapen → sliep/sliepen, zien → zag/zagen, horen → hoorde/hoorden. Singular persons share one form; plural persons share another. Spelen → speelde/speelden has -de; werken → werkte/werkten has -te.
Use a perfect for a completed action: , . Early childhood phrases are now part of this pattern. means when in past narration and puts the verb last in its clause: .
| Form | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| I was sitting on the bench. | ||
| I was sitting on the bench. | ||
| We were sitting on the bench. | ||
| We were sitting on the bench. | ||
| You were asleep during the concert. | ||
| You were asleep during the concert. | ||
| They were asleep at home. | ||
| They were asleep at home. | ||
| He was playing the trumpet. | ||
| He was playing the trumpet. | ||
| We were playing music. | ||
| We were playing music. | ||
| I closed my eyes. | ||
| I closed my eyes. | ||
| Mum took photos. | ||
| Mum took photos. | ||
Ik zat op de bank.I was sitting on the bench.
Wij zaten op de bank.We were sitting on the bench.
Jij sliep tijdens het concert.You were asleep during the concert.
Zij sliepen thuis.They were asleep at home.
Hij speelde trompet.He was playing the trumpet.
Wij speelden muziek.We were playing music.
Ik heb mijn ogen dichtgedaan.I closed my eyes.
Mama heeft foto's gemaakt.Mum took photos.
Practice 1/6 · Finding words
Notice the useful pattern
Tap the form practised in this unit.
.
I was sitting on the bench.
.
We were sitting on the bench.
.
You were asleep during the concert.
.
They were asleep at home.
Practice 2/6 · The right form
Choose the form
Use the English meaning and the pattern in this unit.
Ik op de bank.
I was sitting on the bench.
Wij op de bank.
We were sitting on the bench.
Jij tijdens het concert.
You were asleep during the concert.
Zij thuis.
They were asleep at home.
Hij trompet.
He was playing the trumpet.
Wij muziek.
We were playing music.
Ik heb mijn ogen .
I closed my eyes.
Mama heeft foto's .
Mum took photos.
Practice 3/6 · Fill the gaps
Complete the messages
Fill the gaps with the words from the box.
Jij tijdens het concert.
You were asleep during the concert.
Zij thuis.
They were asleep at home.
Hij trompet.
He was playing the trumpet.
Wij muziek.
We were playing music.
Ik heb mijn ogen .
I closed my eyes.
Mama heeft foto's .
Mum took photos.
Practice 4/6 · Building sentences
Build a sentence
Put the words in order.
I was sitting on the bench.
We were sitting on the bench.
You were asleep during the concert.
They were asleep at home.
He was playing the trumpet.
We were playing music.
Practice 5/6 · In situations
What would you say?
Choose the right words for the situation.
I was sitting on the bench.
You say:
Use the meaning and Dutch pattern explained in this unit.
I was sitting on the bench.
You say:
Use the meaning and Dutch pattern explained in this unit.
We were sitting on the bench.
You say:
Use the meaning and Dutch pattern explained in this unit.
We were sitting on the bench.
You say:
Use the meaning and Dutch pattern explained in this unit.
You were asleep during the concert.
You say:
Use the meaning and Dutch pattern explained in this unit.
You were asleep during the concert.
You say:
Use the meaning and Dutch pattern explained in this unit.
They were asleep at home.
You say:
Use the meaning and Dutch pattern explained in this unit.
They were asleep at home.
You say:
Use the meaning and Dutch pattern explained in this unit.
Practice 6/6 · Matching
Connect messages and meanings
Match the pairs.
Unit complete
