The Difference between Perfekt & Präteritum

The Difference between Perfekt & Präteritum

There are only formal (!) differences between these two past tenses. And there are absolutely no relevant differences in the meaning (!) when using a verb in Präteritum or Perfekt. So, when do we use Präteritum and when  Perfekt?

Use of the Perfekt

The Perfekt is used whenever you have to deal with ‘spoken’ language. That is the case when you speak directly to someone you read or write a mono- or dialogue you mail or write a letter to someone

Use of the Präteritum

The Präteritum is used whenever you have to deal with ‘written’ language. That is the case when you read or write a book [with the exception of mono- or dialogues] you read or write articles in newspapers or the like There is one exception though, that you should be aware of: The modal verbs are usually used in the Präteritum even if you are dealing with spoken language. Haben, sein and werden can be used in their Präteritum-form even with spoken language but they don’t have to be used with it.

That’s all there is to know. Remember: There is no relevant difference between the following sentences:

Perfekt: Ich bin im Kino gewesen.   [= I was in the cinema.]

Präteritum: Ich war im Kino.   [= I was in the cinema.]

Perfekt: Ich habe keine Lust gehabt.   [= I didn’t feel like it.]

Präteritum: Ich hatte keine Lust.   [= I didn’t feel like it.]

Perfekt: Ich bin Vater geworden.   [= I became a father.]

Präteritum: Ich wurde Vater.   [= I became a father.]