KS3 · German · Year 7
Can and able: singular 'können' + infinitive
Friends and family: weak and strong verbs singular and 3rd person plural
Learn it. Recall it. Make it stick.
IllumED Slides
IllumED · 1/10
Your learning goal
I can say what I and others are able to do using the modal verb 'können' and correct word order.
1 of 10
Can and able: singular 'können' + infinitive: slides adapted from the imported teaching text; recall questions created from its keywords, learning points and common mistakes. Self-check practice, with no automatic grading or XP. Answers stay on this page and are cleared when you leave.
Original teaching resources
The original illustrated PowerPoint is available as well as the IllumED text slides. It retains the publisher’s design and credits.
Download original PowerPoint ↓What you’ll learn
I can say what I and others are able to do using the modal verb 'können' and correct word order.
Key learning points
- [au] is pronounced as in 'Haus'.
- Learning new vocabulary (especially verbs) allows you to use familiar vocabulary in different ways.
- 'Können' is a modal verb used to say what you can and cannot do (as in physically or situationally able).
- 'Kann' means 'can' and is used with 'ich', 'sie', 'er', 'es'. 'Du kannst' means 'you can'.
- Modal verbs such as 'können' require a 2nd verb in the infinitive, placed at the end of the sentence.
Words to know
- [au]
- pronounced as in 'Haus'
- modal verb
- verb of necessity or possibility (must, can, want) used with a 2nd verb in the infinitive, which goes to the end
- können
- a modal verb meaning 'to be able to'
Common mistakes
The infinitive comes directly after the form of 'können', as in English: 'I can play guitar'.
The infinitive comes at the end of the sentence in German when used with a modal verb such as 'können', as in 'Ich kann Gitarre spielen'.
For parents, carers and teachers
- Use beanbags for Task A1 to bring fun into the room!