Before you start
Meet zwingen
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
All 2 meanings
- (transitive) to force; to compel; to make (someone do something) [with zu (+ infinitive) or zu (+ dative)]
- (intransitive) to (strictly) necessitate, to force [with zu (+ dative) ‘an act’]
Forms
How zwingen changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | zwinge | zwang |
| du | zwingst | zwangst |
| er/sie/es | zwingt | zwang |
| wir | zwingen | zwangen |
| ihr | zwingt | zwangt |
| Sie | zwingen | zwangen |
Partizip II gezwungen · Perfekt with haben
Three examples
- 1Der Chef zwingt mich, heute zu arbeiten.The boss forces me to work today.present tense main clause
- 2Sie haben ihn zum Gehen gezwungen.They forced him to leave.Perfekt with haben
- 3Ich bleibe hier, weil mich niemand zwingt.I’m staying here because nobody is forcing me.verb at the end after weil