Year 7 - German
Can and can't: singular 'können' + infinitive and negation
Friends and family: weak and strong verbs singular and 3rd person plural
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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 provides pupils with the knowledge to use strong verbs accurately in the present tense (singular) and to apply this knowledge alongside weak verbs in questions, answers and narration (3rd person singular and plural). Pupils practise sound-symbol correspondences [v], [au], [r] and [eu].
Lesson Summary
You will learn to say what you or others are unable to do by using 'nicht' or 'kein' with 'können'.
Key Notes
- 'Können' is a modal verb used to say what you can and cannot do (as in physically or situationally able).
- Modal verbs such as 'können' require a 2nd verb in the infinitive, placed at the end of the sentence.
- Use part of 'können' + 'nicht' before the infinitive verb to mean 'cannot'/'can't', e.g., 'Ich kann nicht singen.'
- Use part of 'können' + 'kein' + noun to mean 'cannot'/'can't', e.g., 'Ich kann kein Haus sehen' - 'I can't see a house'.
Vocabulary To Learn
- [au], [äu]: pronounced as in 'Haus' or 'Häuser'
- modal verb: verb of necessity or possibility (must, can, want) used with a 2nd verb in the infinitive, which goes to the end
- können: a modal verb meaning 'to be able to'
- nicht: 'not'
- keinen, keine, kein: indefinite articles meaning 'not a'
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Always use the word 'nicht' to negate a statement.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain what you can now say or understand in this lesson.
'Können' is a modal verb used to say what you can and cannot do (as in physically or situationally able). Modal verbs such as 'können' require a 2nd verb in the infinitive, placed at the end of the sentence.
2. Define this key language word and use it in context. '[au], [äu]'
pronounced as in 'Haus' or 'Häuser'. Say or write it in a short sentence so you use the word actively.
3. Correct this common language-learning mistake.
Mistake: Always use the word 'nicht' to negate a statement. Correction: Use the correct form of 'kein' to translate 'not a/any' with nouns. Use 'nicht' with verbs and adjectives.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Ask about activities: present tense strong verbs 1st and 2nd person singular Study Guide
- Can and able: singular 'können' + infinitive Study Guide
- Compare activities: strong verbs 1st and 3rd person singular, compound nouns Study Guide
- Compare lifestyles: present tense strong verbs 1st and 3rd person singular Study Guide
- Narrate other people's actions: present tense weak and strong verbs Study Guide
- Other people's actions: singular present tense strong verbs Study Guide
- What I do and what we do: present tense 1st person plural weak verbs Study Guide
- What we do together: present 1st person plural weak verbs and 'sein' Study Guide
- What you and others do: strong verbs 1st and 2nd person singular Study Guide
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