KS4 · German · Year 11
Seien Sie sicher online! Using 'Sie' in statements, questions and the imperative
Media and technology: Die weite Welt
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IllumED Slides
IllumED · 1/10
Your learning goal
I can use the pronoun 'Sie' to make statements, ask questions or give instructions and advice, in the context of life online.
1 of 10
Seien Sie sicher online! Using 'Sie' in statements, questions and the imperative: 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 use the pronoun 'Sie' to make statements, ask questions or give instructions and advice, in the context of life online.
Key learning points
- Use 'Sie' for formal 'you' in statements, questions and the imperative.
- To ask a closed question swap the position of 'Sie' and the verb. For open questions, add a question word at the start.
- To form the formal imperative, swap the position of 'Sie' and the verb. 'Sein' is irregular: 'Seien Sie!'.
- Intonation can help to make it clear whether you are asking a question, making a statement or giving an instruction.
- The imperative can be softened by adding 'bitte', 'mal', 'doch' or 'schon'. These help us to recognise instructions.
Words to know
- Sie
- subject pronoun meaning 'you', formal
- imperative
- a mood used to give instructions or advice
- intonation
- the rise and fall of the voice when speaking
Common mistakes
You always leave out the subject pronoun when using the imperative.
The 'du' and 'ihr' forms of the imperative omit the subject pronoun, but the 'Sie' form retains it.
For parents, carers and teachers
- The formation of the imperative is Higher-only grammar. It might be helpful for students to practise translating statements, questions and imperatives using the vocabulary from Learning Cycle 1 on mini whiteboards, before tackling the B2 speaking task.