Year 8 - German
Plans for the week ahead: modal verbs in present tense (future meaning)
Making plans: present and future tenses
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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 revisits and consolidates the present tense, including modal verbs and two-verb structures before introducing the future tense in singular persons. It also addresses the distinction between the German 'ich will' vs the English 'I want to'.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to use a range of two-verb structures to express your plans for the week ahead.
Key Notes
- The SSC [d] often corresponds to an English 't' or 'th' spelling. The SSC [t] often corresponds to English 'd'.
- Modal verbs require a 2nd verb in the infinitive, placed at the end of the sentence.
- Some verbs use 'zu' in two-verb structures, e.g., 'Er vergisst, Wasser zu trinken.' A comma separates the verb phrases.
Vocabulary To Learn
- [d]: pronounced as in 'und' and 'Kinder'
- modal verb: verb of necessity or possibility used with a 2nd verb in infinitive e.g., must, can, want
- zu: preposition meaning 'to', also used in two-verb structures
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- If there are two verbs in a German sentence, the infinitive stays with the subject of the action.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain what you can now say or understand in this lesson.
The SSC [d] often corresponds to an English 't' or 'th' spelling. The SSC [t] often corresponds to English 'd'. Modal verbs 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. '[d]'
pronounced as in 'und' and 'Kinder'. Say or write it in a short sentence so you use the word actively.
3. Correct this common language-learning mistake.
Mistake: If there are two verbs in a German sentence, the infinitive stays with the subject of the action. Correction: If there are two verbs in a German sentence, the infinitive goes to the end of the sentence. This is different word order to English and is called the 'two-verb rule'.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Future plans: future tense 'werden' + infinitive vs 'planen' + 'zu' + infinitive Study Guide
- Plans for this weekend: present tense (future meaning), 'nach' vs 'zu' (dative) Study Guide
- What you want to and will do: future tense singular (will) vs 'will' (want to) Study Guide
- Who is supposed to do what? Modal verbs, two-verb structures, question words Study Guide
- Who should do what? Meanings of 'sollen', 'müssen', 'dürfen' Study Guide
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