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Introduction
Introduction
This chapter is one of the things in life that seem so jumbled around and random upon first experience. However, once all the material has sunken in, I promise that everything will magically fall in place.
A quote from Mr. Wiles (the guy who solved Fermat's Last Theorem):
"Perhaps I could best describe my experience of doing mathematics in terms of entering a dark mansion. One goes into the first room, and it's dark, completely dark. One stumbles around bumping into the furniture, and gradually, you learn where each piece of furniture is, and finally, after six months or so, you find the light switch. You turn it on, and suddenly, it's all illuminated. You can see exactly where you were." ~ Andrew Wiles
Separable Verbs
Separable Verbs
Some verbs have a prefix that changes the verb's meaning.
When the verb is used as the 'main' verb, the prefix detaches and goes to the end of the clause.
Ex. Ausgeben means 'to give out.' 'Aus-' means 'out' and 'geben' means 'to give.' Here, 'aus' is the prefix, and 'geben' is the verb. When ausgeben is used as the main verb in the sentence, 'aus' goes to the end of the clause (sentence) and 'geben' stays conjugated in its regular position.
Ich gebe sehr viel Geld aus = I give out a lot of money (I spend a lot of money).
When it's not the main verb, the separable verb stays in its infinitive form at the end of the clause/sentence. If you're using the separable verb as one in the past tense, squeeze the past participle ('ge,' the thing that indicates that the word is in the past tense) inbetween the prefix and the 'main verb': prefix + ge + verb.
Ex. Ich habe sehr viel Geld ausgegeben = I gave out a lot of money (I spent a lot of money).
Speaking of prefixes, it's useful to be familiar with common prefixes to get an idea of what unfamiliar verbs might mean.
Reflexive Verbs
Reflexive Verbs
'Reflexive verbs' indicate that you're doing this verb action to yourself.
In English, reflexive-ness is usually indicated with the words 'myself,' 'yourself,' 'themselves,' etc. In German, it's similar to English that there's a pronoun like 'myself' that indicates that a verb in the sentence is reflexive. However, in German, there's more than just one form of the pronoun: there are accusative and dative pronouns.
Both accusative and dative pronouns are placed right behind the conjugated verb or the pronoun.
The accusative pronouns are used when the pronoun is the direct object (see cases). It's usually used in contexts when you're talking about cleaning or caring for yourself.
The dative pronouns are used when the pronoun is the indirect object (see cases). It's usually used in contexts when you're talking about doing something to better yourself in some way. If you want to say something like 'for myself' or 'to myself,' use the dative pronouns.
You should be familiar with which verbs can use (one or both) reflexive pronouns.
One unique verb is waschen (to wash). It can be used with...
No reflexive pronouns (you're washing something/someone else)
Ex. Ich wasche das Handtuch (I wash the towel).
Accusative pronouns
Ich wasche mich (I wash myself).
Dative pronouns
Ich wasche mir die Hände (I wash my hands).
Imperative form (Commands)
Imperative form (Commands)
The forms of commands that you really need to know are 'you' in formal, 'you' in informal, 'we,' and 'y'all.'
To command someone who you would address informally (du), you'd follow these steps:
Find out the 'you' form of the verb in present tense.
Fahren --> du fährst (you drive)
Drop the pronoun 'du' and '-st' so you're just left with the stem.
Du fährst --> fähr
Drop the umlaut if there is one.
Fähr --> fahr
Optional: add -e to make the command politer.
Fahr --> fahre
Optional: add ! for emphasis!
Fahre --> fahre!
To command someone who you would address formally (Sie), you'd follow these steps:
Find out the 'they' form of the verb in present tense.
Fahren --> fahren
Add 'Sie'
Fahren --> fahren Sie
Optional: add ! for emphasis
Fahren Sie --> fahren Sie!
To command 'us,' AKA you and other(s) (wir), you'd follow these steps:
Find out the 'we' form of the verb in present tense.
Fahren --> Fahren wir (we drive)
That's it!
Fahren wir (we drive=let's drive)
Alternative method:
Use the 'you' informal command form of the verb 'lassen' (to let).
Lassen --> lass
Use the accusative pronoun for wir (us).
Uns
What's the infinitive of the command you want to say?
Fahren = to drive
Put everything together.
Lass uns fahren (let's drive).
To command 'y'all,' AKA a group of people that you'd address informally (ihr), you'd follow these steps:
Find out the 'y'all' form of the verb in present tense.
Fahren --> ihr fahrt (y'all drive)
Drop the pronoun.
Ihr fahrt --> fahrt (drive, y'all!)
Common irregular verbs when it comes to commands:
'In order to <verb>' and 'without <verb>'
'In order to <verb>' and 'without <verb>'
In order to <verb> : um + ... + zu + infinitive of verb
Ex. Ich muss lernen, um eine gute Note zu kriegen (I have to study in order to get a good grade).
Without <verb> : ohne + zu + infinitive of verb
Ex. Ich habe den Test gemacht, ohne zu lernen (I took the test without studying).
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