Set the scene, then give the events
Use and for past circumstances: . Use the for events: . This is a useful pattern for a spoken account, not a rule that other verbs have no simple past.
Give the events a clear order
means first, means then, means afterwards, and means later. When one starts the statement, the conjugated verb comes next: . Keep the participle at the end.
A time or a short link
You can also start with a clock time: . Use to add an event or to show a contrast: . These connectors do not occupy the first position of the following statement.
Zuerst hat Jonas gespielt.First Jonas played.
Dann ist das Licht ausgegangen.Then the lights went out.
Danach hat Thomas getanzt.Afterwards Thomas danced.
Später sind wir nach Hause gegangen.Later we went home.
Practice 1/5 · Finding words
Notice the useful forms
Tap the marked grammar forms.
.
First Jonas played.
.
Afterwards we went home.
Practice 2/5 · The right form
Keep the account in order
Choose the right word for the gap.
Zuerst Jonas gespielt.
First Jonas played.
Danach wir nach Hause gegangen.
Afterwards we went home.
Es dunkel.
It was dark.
Ich Angst.
I was afraid.
Ich habe gesucht, ich habe ihn nicht gefunden.
I looked, but I did not find him.
Practice 3/5 · Fill the gaps
Complete the conversation
Fill the gaps with the words from the box.
Zuerst Jonas gespielt. Dann das Licht ausgegangen.
First Jonas played. Then the lights went out.
Es dunkel. Ich Angst.
It was dark. I was afraid.
Danach ich getanzt. Später ich nach Hause gegangen.
Afterwards I danced. Later I went home.
Practice 4/5 · Building sentences
Put the message together
Put the words in order.
First the concert began.
Afterwards I looked for Mikesch.
Later we went home.
Practice 5/5 · In situations
Respond to the situation
Choose the right words for the situation.
You explain the order: the lights went out first, and then you looked for Mikesch.
You say:
The sequence matches the events you want to report.
You explain the order: the lights went out first, and then you looked for Mikesch.
You say:
The sequence matches the events you want to report.
Unit complete
