Seien Sie sicher online! Using 'Sie' in statements, questions and the imperative
I can use the pronoun 'Sie' to make statements, ask questions or give instructions and advice, in the context of life online.
Seien Sie sicher online! Using 'Sie' in statements, questions and the imperative
I can use the pronoun 'Sie' to make statements, ask questions or give instructions and advice, in the context of life online.
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Lesson details
Vocabulary and transcripts for this lessons
Key learning points
- Use 'Sie' for formal 'you' in statements, questions and the imperative.
- To ask a closed question swap the position of 'Sie' and the verb. For open questions, add a question word at the start.
- To form the formal imperative, swap the position of 'Sie' and the verb. 'Sein' is irregular: 'Seien Sie!'.
- Intonation can help to make it clear whether you are asking a question, making a statement or giving an instruction.
- The imperative can be softened by adding 'bitte', 'mal', 'doch' or 'schon'. These help us to recognise instructions.
Keywords
Sie - subject pronoun meaning 'you', formal
Imperative - a mood used to give instructions or advice
Intonation - the rise and fall of the voice when speaking
Common misconception
You always leave out the subject pronoun when using the imperative.
The 'du' and 'ihr' forms of the imperative omit the subject pronoun, but the 'Sie' form retains it.
To help you plan your year 11 German lesson on: Seien Sie sicher online! Using 'Sie' in statements, questions and the imperative, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 11 German lesson on: Seien Sie sicher online! Using 'Sie' in statements, questions and the imperative, 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.
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
to let, allow
to tolerate, stand
to search for, look for
to fobid, prohibit
to wait, waiting
to pay, paying
border, boundary, limit
worry
freedom
competition
nose
mouth