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Year 10 - German

Lebenserfahrung: simple past with früher, gern, lieber, am liebsten, reflexive verbs

My personal world: Tolle Lebenserfahrungen

Unit Summary

Along with practice of known grammar, pupils learn reflexive verbs in two-verb structures with modals in the perfect and imperfect tenses. The plural forms of imperfect modal verbs are introduced. Pupils learn negation with 'nicht' and 'sondern'.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to use reflexive verbs and adverbs in the perfect and imperfect tenses in the context of studies and work.

Key Notes

  • In two-verb structures, the reflexive pronoun normally comes after the first verb.
  • In the perfect tense, it is more common to use the simple past versions of 'haben', 'sein', and 'es gibt'.
  • Use 'früher' in the perfect and imperfect tenses to mean 'used to'.
  • Use 'gern', 'lieber', 'am liebsten' in the perfect and imperfect tenses to talk about likes and preferences.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • simple past: synonymous with the imperfect; German single-word past tense used mainly to narrate past events in writing; for example, 'war', 'hatte', 'gab'
  • perfect tense: German two-word past tense using either 'haben' or 'sein' with a past participle
  • reflexive verb: verb used to indicate doing something to yourself, e.g., 'to wash yourself'

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Verbs that are reflexive in English must be reflexive in German and vice versa.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain what you can now say or understand in this lesson.

In two-verb structures, the reflexive pronoun normally comes after the first verb. In the perfect tense, it is more common to use the simple past versions of 'haben', 'sein', and 'es gibt'.

2. Define this key language word and use it in context. 'simple past'

synonymous with the imperfect; German single-word past tense used mainly to narrate past events in writing; for example, 'war', 'hatte', 'gab'. Say or write it in a short sentence so you use the word actively.

3. Correct this common language-learning mistake.

Mistake: Verbs that are reflexive in English must be reflexive in German and vice versa. Correction: Different verbs are reflexive in different languages. For example, 'sich erinnern' is not reflexive in English.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 10 German guide library.