Breakdown of Die Schauspielerin ließ ihre Wimpern im Studio verlängern.
ihr
her / their
im
in the (used with months) / in the (contraction of in + dem)
lassen
to have something done (causative)
das Studio
the studio
Questions & Answers about Die Schauspielerin ließ ihre Wimpern im Studio verlängern.
The lesson says these verbs are formed with 'ver-' + Adjective + '-en'. Where does the "r" in verlängern come from?
The base adjective is lang (long). For this specific verb, German uses the comparative form länger (longer) as the root. By adding the prefix ver- and the infinitive ending -n, you get verlängern (literally: "to make longer" or "to lengthen").
Why does the German sentence use the active infinitive verlängern when the English translation says "lengthened"?
To express "having something done" by someone else, English uses "have" + object + past participle. German, however, uses the verb lassen + object + active infinitive. So instead of a past participle, German places the active infinitive verlängern at the very end of the sentence.
Why use the simple past ließ here instead of the Perfekt (spoken past tense)?
You can absolutely use the Perfekt here: Die Schauspielerin hat ihre Wimpern im Studio verlängern lassen. However, because lassen acts like a modal verb in this sentence, forming the Perfekt requires the "double infinitive" rule (verlängern lassen instead of a past participle). Since double infinitives can feel clunky, native speakers frequently opt for the simple past (ließ) even in everyday conversation.
Are there other common verbs built with this exact ver- + adjective + -en pattern?