M1_4A.3: Separable and inseparable prefix verbs (A)

Prefix verbs in German

• In German, many verbs have a prefix in their infinitive form.

• A verb with a prefix has the same conjugations as its base form, but the added prefix changes the meaning.

  • Sucht ihr eure Eltern? (Are you looking for your parents?)

  • Besucht ihr eure Verwandten? (Do you visit your relatives?)

• Some prefixes are always attached to the verb, and others can be separated from it.

  • Jakob verkauft sein Fahrrad. (Jakob is selling his bike.)

  • Ich kaufe im Supermarkt ein. (I shop at the supermarket.)

Let's start with these separable prefix verbs - what are the definitions?

Next, let's work on the inseparable prefix verbs - what are the definitions?

• Separable prefixes are generally prepositions (an, aus, mit) or other parts of speech that carry meanings and can stand alone. In contrast, most inseparable prefixes (be-, er-, ver- ) have no independent meaning and never stand alone.

  • Heute Abend gehen wir zusammen aus. (Tonight we're going out together.)

  • Ich bestelle die Pasta mit Garnelen. (I'm ordering the pasta with shrimp.)

  • Stefan steht jeden Morgen um 6 Uhr auf. (Stefan gets up at 6 o'clock every morning.)

  • Ihr verkauft euer Auto? (You're selling your car?)

• When using a separable prefix verb in the present tense or the imperativ, move the prefix to the end of the sentence or clause.

  • Wir kaufen auf dem Markt ein. (We're shopping at the market.)

  • Kommst du zurück? (Are you coming back?)

  • Bitte stellen Sie die Frau vor. (Please introduce the woman.)

  • Ruf deine Eltern an! (Call your parents!)

• To make the sentence negative, add nicht immediately before the separable prefix.

  • Ich komme nicht zurück. (I'm not coming back.)

  • Ruf deine Eltern nicht an! (Don't call your parents!)

• When using a modal with a separable prefix verb, move the infinitive of the separable prefix verb to the end of the sentences.

  • Die Mädchen möchten morgen Abend ausgehen. (The girls want to go out tomorrow night.)

  • Ich muss mit meinen Hausaufgaben anfangen. (I need to start my homework.)

• The prefix of an inseparable prefix verb always remains attached to the beginning of the verb.

  • Ich bezahle die Lebensmittel. (I'll pay for the groceries.)

  • Wiederholen Sie den Satz. (Repeat the sentence.)