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Year 8 - German

Everyday experiences: present tense separable verbs, questions

What we like and prefer doing: separable verbs, 'gern' and 'lieber'

Unit Summary

This unit revisits adverbs, such as 'gut' 'schnell' and 'gern', and introduces the adverb 'lieber'. It extends knowledge of separable verbs for the plural forms 'wir' and 'sie'.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to use separable verbs to ask questions and to say what others do in everyday situations.

Key Notes

  • [z] is pronounced as in 'Zug' and [s-] is pronounced as in 'sollen'.
  • Separable verbs have a prefix and a base verb, which uses the same endings as other verbs in the present tense.
  • In questions as well as statements with separable verbs, the prefix moves to the end of the sentence.
  • Listening carefully to questions, including question words, helps with understanding and forming suitable responses.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • separable verb: two-part verb with a prefix and a main verb, e.g. 'aussehen'

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • A word for 'do', 'does', 'is' or 'are' is needed when forming yes/no questions in German.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

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

[z] is pronounced as in 'Zug' and [s-] is pronounced as in 'sollen'. Separable verbs have a prefix and a base verb, which uses the same endings as other verbs in the present tense.

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

two-part verb with a prefix and a main verb, e.g. 'aussehen'. Say or write it in a short sentence so you use the word actively.

3. Correct this common language-learning mistake.

Mistake: A word for 'do', 'does', 'is' or 'are' is needed when forming yes/no questions in German. Correction: In German, yes/no questions can be formed simply by inverting the subject and the verb. There is no need for a word like 'do' or 'are' at the start, e.g. 'Läufst du schnell?' - 'Do you run fast?'.

More Lessons In This Unit

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