3 Switching on and off: separable verbs

Figure 2 includes some of the language you may need to use if you are talking about watching television.

Figure 2 Watching television

Activity 4

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Separable verbs

Now watch this video on separable verbs.

Transcript (opens in new window)

Verbs such as fernsehen and anschalten are known as separable verbs (trennbare Verben).

A separable verb has a main part and a prefix. In the present tense, the prefix is separated and moves to the end of the sentence in the present tense.

  • Ich sehe oft fern.
  • Er schaltet den Fernseher an.
  • Er macht den Fernseher wieder aus.

If you use a separable verb together with a modal verb, the separable verb remains in its infinitive form:

  • Ich will den Fernseher anschalten.
  • Ich möchte jetzt umschalten.
  • Ich muss sofort ausschalten.

Activity 5

Part 1

Review the text given in Activity 4 and note down all the separable verbs. Are any of them not separated? If so, why?

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Answer

The separated separable verbs are:

  • Ich schalte den Fernsehr an.

  • Ich .... schalte um.

  • Ich schalte den Fernseher wieder aus.

These are all in the present tense.

Ich will nicht mehr fernsehen is not separated. It is in the infinitive because it is being used with a modal verb.

Part 2

You’ll now practise using the separable verbs you have learned by taking part in some short dialogues. Listen to the audio and respond using the prompt given. The conversation will then continue and the next prompt will be given.

Beispiel

Sie hören:   Was machst du im Moment? (fernsehen)

Sie sagen:   Ich sehe im Moment fern.

Transcript (opens in new window)

Answer

Model answers for this activity are given in the recording and a written version is provided in the transcript.

Your responses may be slightly different.

Part 3

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Write the missing word in the gap to complete the two sentences below.

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Listen to some people talking about how much television they watch and what they like. Select all the expressions that you hear.

Transcript (opens in new window)
 

Answer

The correct answers are:

Ich sehe gar nicht fern.

Manchmal schau’ ich Videos.

Manchmal guck’ ich Sport.

Ich gucke gerne „Simpsons“.

Fernsehen spielt bei mir keine sehr große Rolle.

OpenLearn - Getting started with German 3
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