Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching German grammar and vocabulary.
Questions & Answers about Ich hole die Übung nach, die ich gestern versäumt habe.
What does the construction hole … nach mean, and why is nach at the end?
Nachholen is a separable verb meaning “to make up/catch up on something (you missed).” In a main clause, separable prefixes go to the sentence-final position: Ich hole die Übung nach. In a subordinate clause or with an infinitive, it stays together: …, dass ich die Übung nachhole; die Übung nachzuholen.
Can I say Ich nachhole die Übung?
No. In main clauses, separable verbs must separate: Ich hole die Übung nach. You would only use the attached form in a subordinate clause: …, dass ich die Übung nachhole.
What case is die Übung in, and why?
Accusative. Nachholen is a transitive verb and takes a direct object: you are making up the exercise, so die Übung is the thing acted upon.
Why is the relative pronoun die used, and what case is it?
- It’s die because the antecedent Übung is feminine singular (nouns ending in -ung are feminine).
- In the relative clause, the pronoun is the direct object of versäumen, so it’s accusative. Feminine singular nominative and accusative forms are both die, so die fits both gender/number and the accusative role.
Why is the verb order versäumt habe at the end of the relative clause?
Relative clauses are subordinate; in subordinate clauses the finite verb goes to the end. In the perfect tense, the participle comes before the auxiliary: … die ich gestern versäumt habe. Compare a main clause: Gestern habe ich die Übung versäumt.
What’s the difference between versäumen and verpassen?
Both can mean “to miss,” but:
- verpassen is more common in everyday speech and very broad (a bus, an appointment, a chance).
- versäumen is a bit more formal and often used for obligations or scheduled things (classes, deadlines, opportunities).
In this sentence, either verb would work.
So is Ich hole die Übung nach, die ich gestern verpasst habe also correct?
Yes. It means the same in practice. Verpasst sounds a touch more colloquial; versäumt can sound a bit more formal or deliberate.
What exactly does Übung mean here?
It can mean:
- an exercise/task (e.g., a worksheet item or problem set), or
- a practice session/tutorial class (especially at German/Austrian universities).
Context decides. For a single schoolbook exercise, many would say Aufgabe; for a uni practice class, Übung is standard.
Is the comma before the relative clause required?
Yes. German always sets a comma before relative clauses: …, die ich gestern versäumt habe. There’s no “optional comma” distinction like English “that” vs “which.”
Can I move gestern elsewhere in the relative clause?
- Standard: … die ich gestern versäumt habe.
- Colloquial end position: … die ich versäumt habe gestern (less recommended in writing).
Don’t split the verb cluster: … die ich gestern habe versäumt is not standard.
Can I shorten it to Ich hole die gestern versäumte Übung nach?
Yes. That’s a compact participial phrase and is natural, especially in writing: die gestern versäumte Übung = “the exercise missed yesterday.”
How would I express future or past versions?
- Future meaning: Present with a time adverb is normal: Morgen hole ich die Übung nach. You can also say Ich werde die Übung nachholen.
- Completed past: Ich habe die Übung nachgeholt. (Past participle: nachgeholt.)
What’s the correct zu-infinitive form of nachholen?
Nachzuholen (the zu goes between prefix and stem): Ich versuche, die Übung nachzuholen.
What’s the difference between nachholen and aufholen?
- nachholen: make up something specific you missed (an exam, sleep, a class): eine Prüfung/Schlaf nachholen.
- aufholen: catch up by reducing a gap (time/score/backlog): den Rückstand aufholen, Zeit aufholen.
Why can’t German drop the relative pronoun like English (“the exercise I missed”)?
German requires an explicit relative pronoun. You must say die ich …; leaving it out is ungrammatical.
Why is it versäumt habe (with haben) and not bin?
Versäumen takes haben in the perfect. Sein is mostly for verbs of motion or change of state/location. Here you “missed” something; you didn’t move or become something, so haben is correct.