This introduction covers Das Perfekt mit sein — Verbs That Go Places within The perfect tense with sein (movement and change) for GCSE German. Revise The perfect tense with sein (movement and change) in Time Markers and the Three Time Frames for GCSE German with 10 exam-style questions and 15 flashcards. This topic shows up very often in GCSE exams, so students should be able to explain it clearly, not just recognise the term. It is section 1 of 4 in this topic. Use this introduction to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
🚶 Das Perfekt mit sein — Verbs That Go Places
Most German verbs build the perfect tense with haben — but verbs of MOVEMENT and CHANGE OF STATE use sein instead. So you say Ich bin nach Berlin gefahren (I travelled to Berlin), not Ich habe gefahren. Knowing exactly which verbs take sein is a classic GCSE mark-winner — and it's easier than it looks once you spot the pattern.
Practice questions for The perfect tense with sein (movement and change)
Which helper verb does 'gehen' (to go) use in the perfect tense?
Why does 'fahren' (to travel / drive) use 'sein' in the perfect tense?
Quick recall flashcards
gewesen
been (sein -> sein). EXCEPTION: no motion, but takes sein. Ich bin in Spanien gewesen. = I have been to Spain.
gegangen
gone / went (gehen, motion -> sein). Wir sind ins Kino gegangen.