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Year 9 - German

Language and identity: separable verbs, cardinal and ordinal numbers

Past lives and experiences: imperfect modal verbs, perfect tense

Unit Summary

This unit revisits the perfect tense with sein, introducing change of state verbs, and teaches the formation of past participles of separable verbs. Imperfect modal verbs (singular) are introduced as pupils learn about past lives and experiences within the cultural context of migration in Germany.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to use ordinal numbers when talking about past events, and use separable verbs in the perfect tense.

Key Notes

  • Add -te to form ordinal numbers 1-19 and -ste for 20+. Exceptions are 'erste', 'dritte', 'siebte'.
  • Use 'am' with dates to say 'on the' and add -n to the ordinal number, e.g., 'am zehnten Juli'.
  • In word order three clauses, separable prefixes rejoin the verb.
  • Form past participles of separable verbs by adding the prefix before ge-, e.g., 'eingeladen', 'aufgemacht'.
  • Understanding separable prefixes and the base verb meanings allows you to predict most meanings of separable verbs.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • ordinal number: a number defining the position of something in a series, such as 'first', 'second', or 'third'
  • am: 'on the'
  • separable verb: a verb with a separable prefix, such as 'aufmachen', 'einladen'
  • word order three: after certain conjunctions, the verb is sent to the end of the sentence or clause

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Separable prefixes always move to the end of a clause.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

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

Add -te to form ordinal numbers 1-19 and -ste for 20+. Exceptions are 'erste', 'dritte', 'siebte'. Use 'am' with dates to say 'on the' and add -n to the ordinal number, e.g., 'am zehnten Juli'.

2. Define this key language word and use it in context. 'ordinal number'

a number defining the position of something in a series, such as 'first', 'second', or 'third'. Say or write it in a short sentence so you use the word actively.

3. Correct this common language-learning mistake.

Mistake: Separable prefixes always move to the end of a clause. Correction: Separable verbs have a prefix that goes to the end of the clause in word order one clauses (standard word order), but in word order three (verb to end) the prefix and the verb reunite. Separable prefixes are always joined to the past participle.

More Lessons In This Unit

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