Practice: Simple Past vs Perfect

Find the verb's stem (infinitive minus -en). If the stem's final letter is in 't k-o-f-s-c-h-i-p, add -te (singular) or -ten (plural). Otherwise add -de (singular) or -den (plural).

Strong verbs change their vowel in the imperfectum — there is no -te/-de ending. These forms must be memorised. The singular and plural often differ (was / waren, had / hadden).

Use the imperfectum for: (a) written narratives and stories, (b) state/description and modal verbs (zijn, hebben, kunnen, mogen, moeten, willen, weten, denken), (c) habitual past with vroeger, altijd, toen. Use the perfectum for: (a) spoken Dutch, (b) completed actions reported conversationally, (c) recent actions with net, al, nog niet, vandaag.