The idea
Include the subject in an ordinary full German statement. When a time phrase comes first, put the finite verb second and the subject after it.
One contrast, not a prediction about every learner
Spanish often omits an unstressed subject pronoun when verb form and context identify the subject. Neutral complete German statements normally express the subject; conversational fragments and imperatives follow different conventions.
Individual experience, dialect and other languages you know can change which comparisons help. Use the contrast to notice a German choice; do not treat it as a label for a whole group of people.
Repair the transfer
Heute habe keine Zeit. als neutraler vollständiger SatzHeute habe ich keine Zeit.Include the subject in an ordinary full German statement. When a time phrase comes first, put the finite verb second and the subject after it.
Examples
- Heute habe ich nach dem Mittagessen eine freie Stunde.Today I have a free hour after lunch.
- Am Samstag besuchen wir eine Ausstellung im Stadtmuseum.On Saturday we visit an exhibition in the city museum.
- Den genauen Termin kennt sie erst morgen.She will know the exact date only tomorrow.
- Kommst du nach der Arbeit noch zur Probe?Are you coming to the rehearsal after work?
- Unser Nachbar hilft uns beim Tragen der Regale.Our neighbor helps us carry the shelving units.
- Bitte bringe zur Besprechung deinen Kalender mit.Please bring your calendar to the meeting.
Read-aloud uses a synthetic German voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.
No German device voice is available. You can still read the text and use the linked listening resources.
Watch out
Do not generalize a source-language pattern to every German sentence. Include the subject in an ordinary full German statement. When a time phrase comes first, put the finite verb second and the subject after it.
Try it yourself
Korrigiere: Heute habe keine Zeit. als neutraler vollständiger Satz
Show answer or example answer
Heute habe ich keine Zeit.
Heute habe ich keine Zeit. Include the subject in an ordinary full German statement. When a time phrase comes first, put the finite verb second and the subject after it.
Ins Deutsche übertragen: Today I have a free hour after lunch.
Show answer or example answer
Heute habe ich nach dem Mittagessen eine freie Stunde.
Heute habe ich nach dem Mittagessen eine freie Stunde. Include the subject in an ordinary full German statement. When a time phrase comes first, put the finite verb second and the subject after it.
Ins Deutsche übertragen: Our neighbor helps us carry the shelving units.
Show answer or example answer
Unser Nachbar hilft uns beim Tragen der Regale.
Unser Nachbar hilft uns beim Tragen der Regale. Keep the meaning of the whole sentence while using the German pattern.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
Korrigiere: Heute habe keine Zeit. als neutraler vollständiger Satz
Heute habe ich keine Zeit.
Ins Deutsche übertragen: Today I have a free hour after lunch.
Heute habe ich nach dem Mittagessen eine freie Stunde.
Ins Deutsche übertragen: Our neighbor helps us carry the shelving units.
Unser Nachbar hilft uns beim Tragen der Regale.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Write three German sentences of your own that follow the pattern of “Heute habe ich keine Zeit.”. Check each one for the Spanish habit this lesson corrects, then read them aloud.