Year 7 - German
What we do together: present 1st person plural weak verbs and 'sein'
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 distinguish English and German uses of the present tense and talk about what you do with others using the 1st person plural of weak verbs and of 'sein'.
Key Notes
- 'Sein' is an irregular verb. 'Wir sind' means 'we are'.
- No indefinite article is needed when using 'sein' + profession noun, e.g., 'Sie ist Lehrerin'.
- The simple present is the only present tense in German.
- Adverbs of time tell us which English tense to use (simple present or present continuous) when translating from German.
Vocabulary To Learn
- [v]: pronounced as in 'vor'
- sind: 1st person plural and 3rd person plural present tense form of 'sein', meaning (we, they) 'are' or 'are being'
- simple present: present tense used to describe habitual, routine actions; it is the only present tense in German
- present continuous: present tense used in English to describe ongoing, current actions; it is not used in German
- adverb: word that describes a verb or adjective
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- You have to use an indefinite article when using 'sein' and a profession noun.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain what you can now say or understand in this lesson.
'Sein' is an irregular verb. 'Wir sind' means 'we are'. No indefinite article is needed when using 'sein' + profession noun, e.g., 'Sie ist Lehrerin'.
2. Define this key language word and use it in context. '[v]'
pronounced as in 'vor'. Say or write it in a short sentence so you use the word actively.
3. Correct this common language-learning mistake.
Mistake: You have to use an indefinite article when using 'sein' and a profession noun. Correction: Do not use an indefinite article when using 'sein' and a profession noun, e.g., 'Ich bin Sänger'.
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
- Can and can't: singular 'können' + infinitive and negation 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 you and others do: strong verbs 1st and 2nd person singular Study Guide
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