The hidden German continuous tense: am + verb
Summary
Host Thomas explains the "am Progressiv," a spoken German structure using "sein + am + nominalized infinitive" to express ongoing actions. He demonstrates how this shortcut simplifies conjugation compared to standard forms, providing examples in both present and past tenses. The episode also contrasts "am" with the more formal "beim," noting that while both are common in speech, only "beim" is officially recognized for writing.
Topics discussed
Citizens Bank Advertisement
Welcome to Coffee Break German
Introduction to the 'am' Progressive
Grammar Structure: sein + am + infinitive
Using the form in the past tense
Spoken vs. Written German usage
Difference between 'am' and 'beim'
Final examples and recap
Conclusion and sign-off
Credits and closing advertisement
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