German Modal Verbs in the Preterite

Overview

The nice thing about the Präteritum forms for modal verbs is that they are actually less complicated than the present forms, because they are conjugated like regular verbs and no longer have a vowel change. Interestingly, "möchten" does not have its own Präteritum form, instead the Präteritm form of "wollen" is used.

July 7, 2023

stephen

When using modal verbs, regardless of whether we use them in the present tense or the past tense, we need to remember their conjugation, as they follow an irregular conjugation pattern.

Modal Verbs Past — Learn a foreign language in live or self-paced courses 3

Notice that the first person and third person singular are always identical. The word order in a sentence using a modal verb remains the same, both in the present tense and the past tense: “modal verb + infinitive verb”. The conjugated form of the modal verb is in second position (regular word order), and the verb in the infinitive is at the end of the clause or sentence.

Examples:
Ich muss jeden Tag arbeiten. I must/have to work every day.
Ich musste jeden Tag arbeiten. I had to work everyday.

Er will nicht auf die Party gehen. He doesn’t want to go to the party.
Er wollte nicht auf die Party gehen. He didn’t want to go to the party.

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German Accusative and Dative Prepositions

When we talk about movement, from point A to B, we apply the Accusative case. Here’s an easy way to remember: ACtive -> ACcusative

Always ask the question, “Wohin” (where to?), when considering the accusative with these prepositions.

The difference with Dative is that we’re talking about a static situation. The question to ask here is “Wo?” (where?).

Soccer player in action on the soccer stadium

German Review of all Tenses

There are 6 basic tenses in German. The two ‘simple’ tenses are present and simple past. They use just one, conjugated verb. The four ‘compound’ tenses are present perfect, past perfect, future, and future perfect.

German Idioms

Not only will learning idioms improve your German comprehension, but it’ll also give you insight into German culture and history. Here are some of the most common German idioms.

Common European Framework of Reference for Languages

The CEFR is an international standard used to describe language ability. Here are specific details of the CEFR for this topic.

General Explanation:

Can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment). Can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters. Can describe in simple terms aspects of his/her background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need.

Specific Capabilities at this Level

Writing:

I can write short, simple notes and messages relating to matters in areas of immediate needs. I can write a very simple personal letter, for example thanking someone for something.

Spoken Production:

I can use a series of phrases and sentences to describe in simple terms my family and other people, living conditions, my educational background and my present or most recent job.

Spoken Interaction:

I can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar topics and activities. I can handle very short social exchanges, even though I can’t usually understand enough to keep the conversation going myself.

Reading:

I can read very short, simple texts. I can find specific, predictable information in simple everyday material such as advertisements, prospectuses, menus and timetables and I can understand short simple personal letters.

Listening:

I can understand phrases and the highest frequency vocabulary related to areas of most immediate personal relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local area, employment). I can catch the main point in short, clear, simple messages and announcements.

German Modal Verbs in the Preterite

Overview

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German Levels

Additional Topics

Common European Framework of Reference for Languages

General Explanation:

Specific Capabilities at this Level

Writing:

Spoken Production:

Spoken Interaction:

Reading:

Listening:

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