It started before and continues now
Use with the present tense for a situation that is still true: . English often uses “have lived”; German uses the present here. Compare a finished period: . That period is over.
| Type | Phrase |
|---|---|
| Starting day | |
| Starting event | |
| Duration | |
| Duration |
takes the dative. A dative plural often adds n: , . Ask for the starting point, or for the duration up to now.
Invite with a clear time and place
uses the separable verb . A group invitation can be . Ask or Include the time and location so the listener can decide.
Accept, decline or suggest another time
accepts. declines. Add a simple reason with , or a separate sentence: . suggests trying again. The scene’s neighbours use vague excuses because they are secretly preparing a surprise.
Practice 1/5 · Finding words
Notice the useful forms
Tap the marked grammar forms.
.
I have lived here for three months.
.
Jonas has been looking for the mouthpiece since the festival.
.
I invite you for a meal.
Practice 2/5 · The right form
Continuing now or finished before?
Choose the right word for the gap.
Ich seit drei Monaten hier.
I have lived here for three months.
Ich wohne hier seit drei .
I have lived here for three months.
Jonas sucht das Mundstück seit Fest.
Jonas has been looking for the mouthpiece since the festival.
Ich wohne seit Jahr hier.
I have lived here for one year.
Früher habe ich zehn Jahre in Hamburg .
Earlier I lived in Hamburg for ten years.
Ich lade dich zum Essen .
I invite you for a meal.
Practice 3/5 · Fill the gaps
Complete the conversation
Fill the gaps with the words from the box.
Ich drei Monaten hier.
I have lived here for three months.
Jonas sucht sein Mundstück seit Fest.
Jonas has been looking for his mouthpiece since the festival.
Ich wohne seit Jahr hier.
I have lived here for one year.
Ich euch für Samstag .
I invite you for Saturday (several people).
Leider kann ich nicht, ich muss arbeiten.
Unfortunately I cannot, because I have to work.
Practice 4/5 · Building sentences
Put the message together
Put the words in order.
How long have you lived here?
I have lived here for three months.
Would you like to come for a meal on Saturday?
Unfortunately I cannot come.
Practice 5/5 · In situations
Respond to the situation
Choose the right words for the situation.
You moved here in March and still live here in June. Someone asks how long.
You say:
Seit and the present show the situation is continuing.
You moved here in March and still live here in June. Someone asks how long.
You say:
Seit and the present show the situation is continuing.
You are invited to dinner, but you work that evening. You want to meet another time.
You say:
The response declines this date and keeps the invitation open.
You are invited to dinner, but you work that evening. You want to meet another time.
You say:
The response declines this date and keeps the invitation open.
Unit complete
