1/20/2024 0 Comments Imperative german grammar![]() ![]() This used to be the way the form was written, and is still valid in written German, though these days no longer spoken. Not so much an exception as a variation, you might see an extra -e added to the end of the imperative form for du at times. These tend to be given in the infinitive form instead of the imperative, for example:īitte nicht rauchen. Werde nicht böse! (Don’t get angry!) Public Notices or Requests Sei ruhig! (Calm down! Literally - be calm!) werden (to become) Hab kein Angst! (Don’t be afraid! Literally - have no fear!) sein (to be) Here they are along with the translations: haben (to have)ĭu hast kein Angst. These three commonly used verbs behave irregularly and deserve a closer look here, as follows: Sitz! ( Sit down!) Special Cases: haben, sein and werden Lass uns gehen! (Let’s go!) Exceptions in the German Imperative Verbs Ending in -s, -z, -x or -ßįor these, only the -t is removed from the present tense form (not the whole -st), like this: Present Simple Because the subject (we) in this case is accusative, wir becomes uns In this case, it works just like the du form that we looked at already, coupled with the infinitive version of the particular action verb. Note: You can also use the verb lassen (to let, or to leave) to give an imperative direction to a collective “we.” Geben wir das Buch! (Let’s give the book!) It behaves exactly like the formal version of second person singular/plural, so wir (we) comes after the infinitive form of the verb. This one you’d use when addressing a group that includes yourself. Geben Sie mir das Buch! ( Give me the book!) First Person Plural - wir ![]() However, the personal pronoun Sie (you) now comes after the verb. In the same way, when addressing an individual or group formally, once again you use the present tense form. Gebt mir das Buch! ( Give me the book!) Second Person Singular and Plural (Formal) - Sie Ihr gebt mir das Buch. (You (all) give me the book.) When addressing a group of people informally, the imperative form stays the same as the present tense. Gib mir das Buch! ( Give me the book!) Second Person Plural (Informal) - ihr Second person singular and plural (formal)įor du (you), the imperative is usually formed by taking the stem of the verb in present tense and dropping the “st.”ĭu gibst mir das Buch. , the second person singular (informal), ihr, second person plural (informal), Sie, second person singular/plural (formal) and wir, first person plural.įortunately, they all tend to follow relatively simple rules. To get the whole picture, we’ll need to look at four kinds: du (Download) How to Build Your German Imperative Phrases This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that youĬlick here to get a copy. Resources to Practice the German Imperative.Responding to Rude Behavior or Aggression.Second Person Singular and Plural (Formal) - Sie.How to Build Your German Imperative Phrases.We’ll help you with how to build German imperative sentences, know when to use them, and understand the exceptions. You never know when you might need to give instructions or tell someone to mind their own business. German imperative is one of those grammar forms that will come in handy when you least expect it! Otto did not dig that hole with the shovel.SeptemThe German Imperative: Your Ultimate Just-do-it Guide Otto hat das Loch nicht mit dem Spaten gegraben. before prepositions with indicators of place, time, and mannerĮxample: Wir wohnen nicht in Berlin.I called Petra, not you.Įxample: Das ist nicht fair! That’s not fair!Įxample: Sie geht nicht gerne schwimmen. ![]() This is not Udo’s car, it’s Susi’s.Įxample: Ich habe nicht dich gerufen, sondern Petra. I have her address, not his.Įxample: Das ist nicht Udos Auto, sondern Susis. ![]() Ich habe nicht seine Adresse, sondern ihre. before the definite article or possesive pronouns used with nounsĮxample: Er hat nicht das Essen bezahlt, sondern die Getränke.the perfect tense Example: Er hat gestern Nacht nicht geschlafen. He’s not sleeping.īut before the full verb in compound tenses i.e. the present or past tense.Įxample: Er schläft nicht. at the end of a sentence with verbs in simple tenses i.e.Nicht can be placed in different parts of a sentence depending on what we want to negate or emphasise. We use nicht to negate sentences in German. Nicht is similar to not, whereas kein is similar to not any/not a. When we make negative sentences in German, we have to use nicht or kein depending on the other words in the sentence. ![]()
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