The imperfect tense, while more prevalent in written language, uses the simple past form of nehmen, which undergoes notable changes.
| Tense | Conjugation Example (ich) |
| Perfect | habe genommen |
| Imperfect | nahm |
(We will take the urban train to get to the airport.)
| Person | Conjugation |
| ich | nehme |
| du | nimmst |
| er/sie/es | nimmt |
| wir | nehmen |
| ihr | nehmt |
| sie/Sie | nehmen |
In this section, we'll focus on understanding how to conjugate nehmen, which translates to 'to take', in the present tense.This tense is often used to talk about current actions, habits, or general truths. = Strictly speaking this is my money. They are widely used, so we invite you to refer to our lessons on German participle and the imperative in German to know their uses in detail.
The imperative in German is used to give orders, demand something from someone or simply ask someone to do something.
genau genommen = exactly put/said, strictly speaking, e.g.:
Genau genommen ist er älter als ich. Participle II is used to form compound tenses as well as the passive form in German.
The main use of the subjunctive I in German is the indirect speech, these tenses are less used in the German language.
(I have taken the key.)
The imperative and the participle are important grammatical moods in the German conjugation.
These conjugation tenses are not used very often.
This creates a gap between speech and reality. It explains why verbs like nehmen do not follow the regular patterns seen in 'weak' verbs, making them slightly more challenging but also more interesting to learn.
Delving into the past tense conjugation of nehmen provides insight into how actions taken in the past are articulated in German.
(He takes the book from the table.)
Always pay attention to the stem-vowel change in 'nehmen' when conjugating it in the present tense; this is a common feature of strong verbs in German.
Using nehmen in various contexts can help solidify your understanding of its conjugation.
+ () + über + () = () over ()
+ mit (or ) + () = () with (), as: Ich nehme dich mit mir.
(I took the key.)
The choice between using the perfect or imperfect tense often depends on the context and whether the conversation is happening in spoken or written German.
Once familiar with the conjugations, forming sentences using nehmen in the past tense is straightforward.
This is a hallmark of the historical development of the German language, where vowel changes in the verb stem were used to indicate tense or mood. Recognising the subtle differences helps in developing a more sophisticated use of German, enabling learners to convey not just actions but the textures of their experiences.
Listening to native speakers and paying attention to their choice of tense can offer valuable insights into when and why each past tense is used, further enhancing your understanding and use of nehmen in past tense constructions.
Exploring the future tense in German provides a fascinating window into how intentions or planned actions are expressed.
This grammatical mood is often used in German. Understanding the concept of strong verbs, and the patterns of their stem-vowel changes, is a pivotal aspect of mastering German grammar. (They have accepted the challenge.)
| Tense | Conjugation Example (ich) |
| Future I | ich werde nehmen |
| Future II | ich werde genommen haben |
If you would like to learn more about the use of verbs and tenses in German, you can consult our lessons. (I take the bus to work.)
Conjugating verbs accurately is crucial for clear communication.
The root of nehmen changes in most of its conjugations, making it somewhat irregular.
Let's delve into the basics of nehmen verb conjugation across different tenses.
(Do you take up the challenge?)
Remember, the conjugation of 'werden' changes depending on the subject of the sentence, altering the structure of the future tense accordingly.
Utilising nehmen in sentences to express future actions showcases one's ability to plan and predict.
While Future I tends to focus on straightforward future plans, Future II opens up avenues to discuss outcomes and accomplishments anticipated in the future, providing a richer, more complex way to talk about forthcoming events and their implications.
nimm (du)nehmt (ihr)nehmen Sie
Here are the "nehmen" conjugation tables in German.
This segment covers the nitty-gritty of both the perfect and imperfect tenses of nehmen, integral for forming sentences about past events.
The German language features two main past tenses: the perfect (Perfekt) and imperfect (Präteritum) tenses.
= I am taking you with me. The verb nehmen, with its meaning 'to take', serves as an excellent example to demonstrate future tense conjugation patterns in German. = Strictly speaking he is older than me. The present participle (Partizip I) and the past participle (Partizip II) are used instead of conjugated verbs or adjectives. How nehmen is conjugated in each of these tenses determines the way past actions are expressed.The perfect tense is commonly used in spoken German and is formed with the auxiliary verb 'haben' plus the past participle 'genommen'.
Meanwhile, the past tense uses the stem 'nahm-', and the future tense utilises the auxiliary verb 'werden' with the infinitive nehmen.
| Person | Present | Past | Future |
| ich | nehme | nahm | werde nehmen |
| du | nimmst | nahmst | wirst nehmen |
| er/sie/es | nimmt | nahm | wird nehmen |
| wir | nehmen | nahmen | werden nehmen |
| ihr | nehmt | nahmt | werdet nehmen |
| sie/Sie | nehmen | nahmen | werden nehmen |
Conjugating nehmen in the subjunctive mood can further express desires or hypothetical situations, adding depth to your communication.
When it comes to learning German, getting familiar with the conjugation of verbs like nehmen is key.