New
New
Year 7

Can and able: singular 'können' + infinitive

Learning outcomes

I can say what I and others are able to do using the modal verb 'können' and correct word order.

I can pronounce [au].

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New
New
Year 7

Can and able: singular 'können' + infinitive

Learning outcomes

I can say what I and others are able to do using the modal verb 'können' and correct word order.

I can pronounce [au].

Link copied to clipboard

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Lesson details

Vocabulary and transcripts for this lessons

Key learning points

  1. [au] is pronounced as in 'Haus'.
  2. Learning new vocabulary (especially verbs) allows you to use familiar vocabulary in different ways.
  3. 'Können' is a modal verb used to say what you can and cannot do (as in physically or situationally able).
  4. 'Kann' means 'can' and is used with 'ich', 'sie', 'er', 'es'. 'Du kannst' means 'you can'.
  5. Modal verbs such as 'können' require a 2nd verb in the infinitive, placed at the end of the sentence.

Keywords

  • [au] - pronounced as in 'Haus'

  • Modal verb - verb of necessity or possibility (must, can, want) used with a 2nd verb in the infinitive, which goes to the end

  • Können - a modal verb meaning 'to be able to'

Common misconception

The infinitive comes directly after the form of 'können', as in English: 'I can play guitar'.

The infinitive comes at the end of the sentence in German when used with a modal verb such as 'können', as in 'Ich kann Gitarre spielen'.


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Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
The dictionary form of the verb is called the .
Correct Answer: infinitive, infinitives, an infinitive
Q2.
What is meant by 'word order'?
correct spelling and punctuation
Correct answer: the sequence of words in a sentence
the words for 'the' or 'a' which come before a noun
Q3.
Match the German and English.
Correct Answer:langweilig,boring

boring

Correct Answer:total,totally

totally

Correct Answer:gut,good, well

good, well

Correct Answer:ganz,whole, all the

whole, all the

Correct Answer:ziemlich,quite

quite

Correct Answer:jetzt,now

now

Q4.
Match the German and English.
Correct Answer:schön sein,to be nice

to be nice

Correct Answer:schwierig sein,to be difficult

to be difficult

Correct Answer:schlecht singen,to sing badly

to sing badly

Correct Answer:in die Schule gehen,to go to school

to go to school

Correct Answer:die Lehrer verstehen,to understand the teachers

to understand the teachers

Correct Answer:nichts haben,to have nothing

to have nothing

Q5.
Which of the following words are conjugated verbs?
Correct answer: mag
Correct answer: spielst
sein
Correct answer: redet
es
Q6.
Translate the following sentence into German: 'I have a piece.'
Correct Answer: Ich habe ein Stück., Ich habe ein Stueck.

6 Questions

Q1.
Match the German and English.
Correct Answer:benutzen,to use, using

to use, using

Correct Answer:essen,to eat, eating

to eat, eating

Correct Answer:Obst (nt),fruit

fruit

Correct Answer:Keks (m),biscuit

biscuit

Correct Answer:sehen,to see, seeing

to see, seeing

Correct Answer:Hose (f),trousers

trousers

Q2.
Complete the missing sound-symbol correspondence: '__sgehen' (to go out).
Correct Answer: au
Q3.
Which of these statements are correct?
Correct answer: the 1st and 3rd person singular forms of 'können' are the same: 'kann'
'können' is a weak verb
Correct answer: 'können' is a modal verb
Correct answer: 'können' means 'to be able to'
the 1st and 2nd person singular forms of 'können' are the same: 'kann'
Q4.
A modal verb such as 'können' works with a second verb in the infinitive. Where does the infinitive come in the sentence?
next to the subject
next to a form of 'können'
Correct answer: at the end of the sentence
Q5.
Translate the following sentence into English: 'Er kann im Garten arbeiten.'
Correct Answer: He can work in the garden.
Q6.
Translate the following sentence into German: 'Mia can swim.'
Correct Answer: Mia kann schwimmen.

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