Year 11 - German
Mein Brückenjahr: preposition 'bei', 'beim' and 'am' with nominalised verbs
Communication and the world around us: mein Wohnort
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
This unit consolidates known grammar and vocabulary, including past and present tenses, direct and indirect object pronouns, and comparatives, as pupils explore new places. Pupils also learn the imperative in the formal 'Sie' form.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to use 'bei' as a simple preposition and 'beim' and 'am' with nominalised verbs in the context of gap years and future adventures.
Key Notes
- 'Bei' means 'at' or 'with' and takes the dative. When used with masculine or neuter nouns, 'bei dem' becomes 'beim'.
- To mean 'whilst' or 'in the process of' doing something, use 'beim' before a nominalised infinitive, e.g., 'beim Lesen'.
- Use 'am' as an alternative to 'beim' to mean 'in the process of', but only when a single activity is being done.
- The use of 'beim' or 'am' plus the nominalised verb indicates the activity is, or was, ongoing or unfinished.
- In conversation, develop answers by adding opinions and reasons, varying the subject, and adding different time frames.
Vocabulary To Learn
- bei: preposition meaning 'at (the)' or 'with (the)', followed by the dative case
- dative: case used for the indirect object in a sentence, and after a dative verb or preposition
- nominalisation: turning a verb into a noun
- beim: preposition meaning 'whilst' or 'in the process of' before a nominalised infinitive
- am: alternative preposition meaning 'in the process of' before a nominalised infinitive when a single activity is being done
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- 'Bei' always means 'at (the)' or 'with (the)'.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain what you can now say or understand in this lesson.
'Bei' means 'at' or 'with' and takes the dative. When used with masculine or neuter nouns, 'bei dem' becomes 'beim'. To mean 'whilst' or 'in the process of' doing something, use 'beim' before a nominalised infinitive, e.g., 'beim Lesen'.
2. Define this key language word and use it in context. 'bei'
preposition meaning 'at (the)' or 'with (the)', followed by the dative case. Say or write it in a short sentence so you use the word actively.
3. Correct this common language-learning mistake.
Mistake: 'Bei' always means 'at (the)' or 'with (the)'. Correction: 'Bei' can mean 'at (the)' or 'with (the)' when followed by a noun, but it can also be used to mean 'whilst' or 'in the process of' before a nominalised infinitive.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Abenteuer im Ausland: perfect tense stem changes, perfect tense questions Study Guide
- Ausflüge: formal and informal questions Study Guide
- Das Wattenmeer: present tense weak and strong verbs, reflexives Study Guide
- Deutsche Städte: comparative adjectives Study Guide
- Feste: present tense weak and strong verbs Study Guide
- Flüsse in Deutschland: negation, 'sondern', 'entweder...oder', 'weder...noch' Study Guide
- Freiwilligenarbeit: direct and indirect object pronouns, position of objects Study Guide
- Hilf der Umwelt! Imperative 'du', 'ihr', 'Sie' Study Guide
- In der Stadt unterwegs: expanding vocabulary, role-play Study Guide
- Recyceln: formal and informal questions, 'du', 'ihr', 'Sie' Study Guide
- Wie ist die Stadt? Dative articles after 'laut' Study Guide
- Wie komme ich am besten ... ? Formal and informal imperatives Study Guide
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