Why? Two-verb structures with 'um ... zu', imperfect modals 'durfte', 'sollte'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can answer the question 'why' using 'um ... zu', 'weil' or 'denn' clauses and I can use modal verbs in the imperfect and present tenses to discuss helping others in the past and present.
Vocabulary and transcripts for this lessons
Key learning points
- Remove any umlauts from the stem of a modal verb and add -te for 1st and 3rd person singular imperfect tense.
- Remove any umlauts from the stem of a modal verb and add -test to form its 2nd person singular imperfect tense.
- 'Um ... zu', meaning 'in order to', is used with an infinitive to answer the question 'why'.
- 'Denn' (word order 1) and 'weil' (word order 3) both mean 'because' and can start clauses to answer the question 'why'.
Keywords
Um ... zu - structure meaning 'in order to' with an infinitive
Modal verb - verb of necessity or possibility ('must', 'can', 'want') used with a 2nd verb in the infinitive, which goes to the end
2-verb structure - clause containing a conjugated verb and a 2nd verb in the infinitive
Imperfect tense - German single-word past tense used mainly to narrate past events in writing, e.g., 'war', 'hatte', 'gab'
Common misconception
To answer the question 'why' you have to use 'weil' or 'denn', which mean 'because'.
The structure 'um ... zu' followed by an infinitive verb means 'in order to' and can be used to give a reason or say why something is done. This structure is the same for any tense.
Teacher tip
Task B1b can be done as a verbal exercise in pairs. Task C1 can be adapted or extended for speaking practice to develop pupil confidence in varying structures for answering the question 'why'.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Order the months from earliest to latest.
Q2.Which verb is separable?
Q3.Match the German and English.
business, company
tooth
dish
shop
town, city
Christmas
Q4.Order the words to say: 'I would like to cook, you would like to eat something.'
Q5.Write in German: 'mein Handy war günstig'.
Q6.Write in German: 'I was able to dance'.
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.'Warum backst du Kuchen?'. In which responses is the word order correct?
Q2.Order the words to say: 'in order to raise money for my school'.
Q3.Write in German: 'I was allowed to go out'.
Q4.Write in German: 'you (singular) were supposed to to fall asleep'.
To help you plan your 9 German lesson on: Why? Two-verb structures with 'um ... zu', imperfect modals 'durfte', 'sollte', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 German lesson on: Why? Two-verb structures with 'um ... zu', imperfect modals 'durfte', 'sollte', 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 Positive experiences: word order and prepositions unit, dive into the full secondary German curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.