A verb with two parts
Some verbs have a prefix that separates in a main statement. The verb means get up. Change its main part for the subject and put at the end: . The prefix is part of the meaning; do not lose it.
| Person | Get up | Start |
|---|---|---|
Put the pieces around the details
Place the time, object or other detail between the conjugated verb and its prefix: . A question keeps the same final prefix: If the time phrase comes first, the changed verb still comes second: .
After a modal, keep the verb together
After or , the second verb stays as a complete infinitive at the end: , . You do not need a new tense. It is the modal that changes for the subject.
Jonas steht nachmittags auf.Jonas gets up in the afternoon.
Ich fange um neun an.I start at nine.
Wir können um acht anfangen.We can start at eight.
Practice 1/5 · Finding words
Notice the useful forms
Tap both parts of each separable verb.
.
I get up at half past six.
.
You start at nine.
.
Jonas gets up in the afternoon.
.
We start on Monday.
Practice 2/5 · The right form
Change the verb, keep its prefix
Choose the right word for the gap.
Ich früh auf.
I get up early.
Du um sieben auf.
You get up at seven.
Greta um fünf auf.
Greta gets up at five.
Wir früh auf.
We get up early.
Ihr spät auf.
You get up late (several people).
Sie um sechs auf?
Do you get up at six (polite)?
When does the work start?
Choose the right word for the gap.
Ich um neun an.
I start at nine.
Du um acht an.
You start at eight.
Die Arbeit am Montag an.
Work starts on Monday.
Wir früh an.
We start early.
Ihr spät an.
You start late (several people).
Wann Sie an?
When do you start (polite)?
Practice 3/5 · Fill the gaps
Complete the conversation
Fill the gaps with the words from the box.
Du um sieben . Ich um neun an.
You get up at seven. I start at nine.
Wir früh auf und früh an.
We get up early and start early.
Ihr spät auf und nachmittags an.
You get up late and start in the afternoon (several people).
Greta um fünf auf. Ihre Arbeit früh an.
Greta gets up at five. Her work starts early.
Practice 4/5 · Building sentences
Put the message together
Put the words in order.
When do you get up?
I get up at half past six.
We can start at eight.
You start in the afternoon (several people).
Practice 5/5 · In situations
Respond to the situation
Choose the right words for the situation.
Jonas wonders why you are in the café so early. Your work starts at nine.
You say:
The separable verb anfangen describes your start time.
Jonas wonders why you are in the café so early. Your work starts at nine.
You say:
The separable verb anfangen describes your start time.
A colleague proposes an early start tomorrow. You can get up early.
You say:
After a modal, aufstehen stays together as an infinitive.
A colleague proposes an early start tomorrow. You can get up early.
You say:
After a modal, aufstehen stays together as an infinitive.
Unit complete
