An exchange: 'haben' and 'sein', 'Sie' vs 'du', infinitive clauses with 'zu'
I can distinguish between and use 'du', 'Sie' (you) and 'sie' (they), and use two-verb structures with 'zu' plus infinitive.
An exchange: 'haben' and 'sein', 'Sie' vs 'du', infinitive clauses with 'zu'
I can distinguish between and use 'du', 'Sie' (you) and 'sie' (they), and use two-verb structures with 'zu' plus infinitive.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Vocabulary and transcripts for this lessons
Key learning points
- Use 'du' (you, singular) for a friend, family member, person you know well, and 'Sie' for adults you address by surname.
- 'Sie' (you, formal) is written with a capital letter, but 'sie' (they) starts with lowercase.
- If 'Sie' begins a sentence (and hence has a capital letter) use other clues to help decide if 'Sie' means you or they.
- Modal verbs are followed by the infinitive, which goes to the end of the sentence. Other verbs use 'zu' plus infinitive.
- In 2-verb structures, the 2nd verb in the infinitive is at the end of the sentence.
Keywords
Du - subject pronoun meaning 'you' (singular), used in informal language
Sie - subject pronoun meaning 'you', used in formal language
Infinitive - form of the verb giving its general meaning, with no subject or tense; the dictionary form of the verb
Zu - word meaning 'to', used before the infinitive when there are 2 verbs in a sentence, but not with modal verbs
Common misconception
'Sie' always means 'she'.
'Sie' can mean 'she', 'they' or 'you (formal)'. Check the verb endings used alongside the pronoun and the spelling of 'sie' to determine the correct translation. Formal 'Sie' is always written with a capital letter.
To help you plan your year 8 german lesson on: An exchange: 'haben' and 'sein', 'Sie' vs 'du', infinitive clauses with 'zu', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 8 german lesson on: An exchange: 'haben' and 'sein', 'Sie' vs 'du', infinitive clauses with 'zu', 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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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
5 Questions
Ja, sie hat das Museum interessant gefunden.
Ja, sie haben das Museum interessant gefunden.
Haben Sie das Museum interessant gefunden?
Sie haben das Museum interessant gefunden.