Can and can't: singular 'können' + infinitive and negation
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can say what I or others are unable to do by using 'nicht' or 'kein' with 'können'.
Vocabulary and transcripts for this lessons
Key learning points
- 'Können' is a modal verb used to say what you can and cannot do (as in physically or situationally able).
- Modal verbs such as 'können' require a 2nd verb in the infinitive, placed at the end of the sentence.
- Use part of 'können' + 'nicht' before the infinitive verb to mean 'cannot'/'can't', e.g., 'Ich kann nicht singen.'
- Use part of 'können' + 'kein' + noun to mean 'cannot'/'can't', e.g., 'Ich kann kein Haus sehen' - 'I can't see a house'.
Keywords
[au], [äu] - pronounced as in 'Haus' or 'Häuser'
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'
Nicht - 'not'
Keinen, keine, kein - indefinite articles meaning 'not a'
Common misconception
Always use the word 'nicht' to negate a statement.
Use the correct form of 'kein' to translate 'not a/any' with nouns. Use 'nicht' with verbs and adjectives.
Teacher tip
Provide students with a scaffold of the poem so that they have fewer parts to adapt, or let others write their own poems from scratch.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the German and English.
healthy
boring
tasty
easy
nice
hard, difficult
Q2.Which words are used with nouns to say 'not a' or 'not any'?
Q3.Which of these words or phrases could fill the gap in the following sentence? 'Ich kann das machen. Es ist __________.'
Q4.What is the infinitive?
Q5.Translate the following sentence into German: 'He can eat.'
Q6.Translate the following sentence into English: 'Ich habe keinen Unterricht.'
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the words below are plural?
Q2.To say ‘can’ with singular nouns, where should the noun be placed?
Q3.Match the German sentences below to the correct English translations.
He cannot go.
She cannot eat a piece.
I can make videos.
He cannot find a body.
You can use films.
I can come now.
Q4.Fill in the gap to complete the following sentence: 'Er ist zu streng. Er kann kommen.'
Q5.Translate the following sentence into German: 'I cannot see a school.'
Q6.Translate the following sentence into German: 'You cannot eat any biscuits.'
To help you plan your 7 German lesson on: Can and can't: singular 'können' + infinitive and negation, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 7 German lesson on: Can and can't: singular 'können' + infinitive and negation, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 German lessons from the Friends and family: weak and strong verbs singular and 3rd person plural unit, dive into the full secondary German curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.