Imperfect Tense (Onvoltooid Verleden Tijd - O.V.T.) (A2)

What it is: The imperfect tense (O.V.T.) describes actions, states, habits, or descriptions in the past. It's the equivalent of the English simple past tense (e.g., "I worked," "She lived there," "It was cold," "We always played outside"). While common in written Dutch and storytelling, the perfect tense (V.T.T.) is often preferred in everyday conversation for completed actions.

Formation:

• Regular Verbs:

1. Find the stem of the verb (infinitive minus -en).
2. Look at the last letter of the stem. Apply the 't Kofschip rule:

• If the last letter of the stem is t, k, f, s, ch, or p, add -te for singular subjects (ik, jij/u, hij/zij/het) and -ten for plural subjects (wij, jullie, zij).
• If the last letter of the stem is any other consonant or a vowel, add -de for singular subjects and -den for plural subjects.
• Note: If the stem ends in t or d, you still add -te(n) or -de(n) respectively (e.g., praten -> praat -> praatte(n), antwoorden -> antwoord -> antwoordde(n)).
• Examples:
• werken (to work) -> stem werk (k is in 't Kofschip)
• ik werkte
• jij werkte
• hij werkte
• wij werkten
• jullie werkten
• zij werkten
• reizen (to travel) -> stem reiz (z is not in 't Kofschip, becomes s)
• ik reisde
• jij reisde
• zij reisde
• wij reisden
• jullie reisden
• zij reisden
• wonen (to live) -> stem woon (n is not in 't Kofschip)
• ik woonde
• wij woonden
• maken (to make) -> stem maak (k is in 't Kofschip)
• hij maakte
• zij maakten

• Irregular Verbs:
• These verbs have unique forms in the imperfect tense that often involve a vowel change and must be memorized.
• Some irregular verbs have different forms for singular and plural subjects.
• Common examples:
• zijn (to be): ik/jij/hij was, wij/jullie/zij waren
• hebben (to have): ik/jij/hij had, wij/jullie/zij hadden
• komen (to come): ik/jij/hij kwam, wij/jullie/zij kwamen
• gaan (to go): ik/jij/hij ging, wij/jullie/zij gingen
• doen (to do): ik/jij/hij deed, wij/jullie/zij deden
• zien (to see): ik/jij/hij zag, wij/jullie/zij zagen
• eten (to eat): ik/jij/hij at, wij/jullie/zij aten
• drinken (to drink): ik/jij/hij dronk, wij/jullie/zij dronken
• kunnen (can): ik/jij/hij kon, wij/jullie/zij konden
• moeten (must): ik/jij/hij moest, wij/jullie/zij moesten
• mogen (may): ik/jij/hij mocht, wij/jullie/zij mochten
• willen (want): ik/jij/hij wilde (or wou), wij/jullie/zij wilden

Examples in sentences:

• Regular:
• Vroeger woonde ik in Amsterdam. (I used to live in Amsterdam.)
• Hij werkte gisteren de hele dag. (He worked all day yesterday.)
• Wij speelden vaak buiten. (We often played outside.)
• Wat antwoordde je? (What did you answer?)
• Irregular:
• Het was koud. (It was cold.)
• Zij hadden geen tijd. (They didn't have time.)
• Ik ging naar de supermarkt. (I went to the supermarket.)
• Wat aten jullie gisteravond? (What did you eat last night?)
• We konden niet komen. (We couldn't come.)

Key Points:

• The imperfect tense (O.V.T.) is the simple past.
• Used more in writing/stories than in everyday conversation.
• Regular verbs add -te(n) or -de(n) based on the 't Kofschip rule.
• Irregular verbs have unique past tense forms that must be learned.