Verfehlte

Verfehlte is the simple past tense (Präteritum) form of the German verb verfehlen. The verb means to miss a target or to fail to reach something, and can be used with a direct object in the accusative when referring to misses of goals, opportunities, or deadlines. As a finite form, verfehlte corresponds to ich verfehlte or er/sie verfehlte in sentences.

Usage and examples

Verfehlte is typically used in written narrative and formal contexts. Common constructions include das Ziel verfehlen (to miss the target), eine Chance verfehlen (to miss an opportunity), den Termin verfehlen (to miss the appointment), and die Erwartungen verfehlen (to fail to meet expectations). Examples: Ich verfehlte das Ziel, obwohl ich mein Bestes gab. Der Stürmer verfehlte mehrere Torchancen im Spiel.

Relation to related forms

In perfect tenses the past participle verfehlt is used with haben: Ich habe das Ziel verfehlt. The noun Verfehlung means a fault or wrongdoing, not the same as the verb form verfehlte; Verfehlung is used for abstract faults or transgressions (eine Verfehlung begehen).

Pronunciation and register

Verfehlte is pronounced with a clear vowel in ver- and -fehlt. The Präteritum form is more common in written language or formal reporting; in everyday conversation Germans more often use the present or perfect tenses (verfehlen, hat verfehlt) to describe misses or failures.

See also

Verfehlen, Verfehlung, Verpassen, Scheitern.