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Year 8 - German

Thoughts and opinions: opinion verbs with 'dass', word order

Family and friends: verbs with indirect objects

Unit Summary

This unit introduces verbs with indirect objects in familiar contexts involving family and friends. Pupils apply this in terms of exchanging gifts, and giving a range of opinions using verbs such as 'gefallen'. Word order 2 and 3 are revisited as pupils give opinions with or without 'dass'.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to use opinion verbs with the conjunction 'dass' and correct word order to say what you think on several everyday topics.

Key Notes

  • Use the verbs 'denken' (to think), 'glauben' (to believe), and 'meinen' (to have the opinion) to say what you think.
  • In German, there is always a comma after an opinion verb; e.g., 'Ich denke, Sport ist lustig.'.
  • Generally, the conjunction 'dass' (that) is used after opinion verbs; e.g., 'Ich denke, dass ...'.
  • The conjunction 'dass' is followed by word order 3 (WO3), where the verb goes to the end of the sentence or clause.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • opinion verb: verb commonly used to express thoughts, beliefs, or feelings, e.g., 'denken', 'glauben', 'meinen'
  • dass: conjunction 'that', often used after an opinion verb and followed by word order 3 (WO3)
  • word order 3 (WO3): after certain conjunctions, e.g., 'dass', the verb is sent to the end of the sentence or clause

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • After an opinion verb (e.g., 'denken') and the conjunction 'dass', we use normal subject-verb word order.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

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

Use the verbs 'denken' (to think), 'glauben' (to believe), and 'meinen' (to have the opinion) to say what you think. In German, there is always a comma after an opinion verb; e.g., 'Ich denke, Sport ist lustig.'.

2. Define this key language word and use it in context. 'opinion verb'

verb commonly used to express thoughts, beliefs, or feelings, e.g., 'denken', 'glauben', 'meinen'. Say or write it in a short sentence so you use the word actively.

3. Correct this common language-learning mistake.

Mistake: After an opinion verb (e.g., 'denken') and the conjunction 'dass', we use normal subject-verb word order. Correction: To say 'I think that ...' in German, we use the conjunction 'dass', which triggers word order 3 (WO3); e.g., 'Ich denke, dass Rapmusik toll ist.'.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 8 German guide library.