ergänzten

Ergänzten is the Präteritum (simple past) form of the German verb ergänzen. The verb means to add something that completes or fills gaps, i.e., to supplement or to complement. It is transitive and typically takes a direct object (the element being added) and, in many cases, can be followed by um to specify the added elements, as in ergänzen um neue Abschnitte. In the Präteritum, the form ergänzten is used for third-person plural subjects. The Perfekt (present perfect) is formed with haben: hat ergänzt, as in "Sie haben den Bericht ergänzt."

Usage and meaning

Ergänzen is common in journalism, academia, editing, data compilation, and everyday language. It often denotes the act of adding information, items, or corrections to improve or complete something. The phrase ergänzen um is frequently used to indicate the exact additions, for example, "ergänzen um neue Fakten" or "ergänzen um weitere Abschnitte." The noun corresponding to the action is Ergänzung.

Examples

- Die Forscher ergänzten die Studie um weitere Experimente.

- Der Text wurde um zwei Absätze ergänzt.

- Sie ergänzten den Bericht mit einer Zusammenfassung.

Related forms and notes

Ergänzung is the noun meaning the act of supplementing or the supplement itself. Synonyms include hinzufügen, vervollständigen, und erweitern; antonyms include entfernen, weglassen, streichen. The verb is used across formal and informal registers, and its Präteritum form ergänzten is typical in narrative past contexts.