German Basic Course, Unit 14: Eine Reise mit dem Zug

Basic Sentences I

1
You went to the train with Mr. Allen yesterday evening ('You accompanied Mr. Allen ... ').
Siewould you like
habenhave
doch(no exact equivalent. Unstressed particle expressing an obvious fact.)
gesternyesterday evening
abendyesterday evening
HerrnMr.
AllenAllen
zumto the customs office
Zugtrain
begleitet.to accompany
2
Did everything work out all right?
3
Yes, pretty much so, but some things went wrong.

abend: yesterday evening
begleitet: to accompany
geklappt: to work out
einiges: some things
schief: crooked, awry

4
How was that?
5
He came to my house yesterday afternoon, after he had bought his ticket and taken his four suitcases to the baggage checkroom.
6
Well, when he'd done that most everything was taken care of.
7
That's what you think!

Wieso: why, how so
nachdem: after
gelöst: to buy (a ticket)
Gepäckaufgabe: the baggage checkroom
damit: therewith, by doing that
erledigt: to take care of

8
When he was at my house it occurred to him that of those four suitcases one had been extra ('too many').
9
He had forgotten that he had intended to take it with him to the compartment.
10
Did he get the suitcase out in time before the train left?
11
He did.

Zuges: before train time
herausbekommen: to get out

12
Luckily a porter just happened to be standing there too, who took it right to the compartment.
13
The train had come in in the meantime then?
14
Right. But now poor Allen couldn't buy anything to read on the trip.
15
Well, couldn't you still hurry and get him a couple of newspapers before the train left?

Glück: luckily
Gepäckträger: the porter
eingelaufen: to arrive, come in
Richtig: correct, right
ehe: before

16
That's what I did.
17
I ran to the newsstand, but when I came back the train had already left.
18
You went to the train with Mr. Allen yesterday evening ('You accompanied Mr. Allen ... ').
19
Did everything work out all right?
20
Yes, pretty much so, but some things went wrong.
21
How was that?
22
He came to my house yesterday afternoon, after he had bought his ticket and taken his four suitcases to the baggage checkroom.
23
Well, when he'd done that most everything was taken care of.
24
That's what you think!
25
When he was at my house it occurred to him that of those four suitcases one had been extra ('too many').
26
He had forgotten that he had intended to take it with him to the compartment.
27
Did he get the suitcase out in time before the train left?
28
He did.
29
Luckily a porter just happened to be standing there too, who took it right to the compartment.
30
The train had come in in the meantime then?
31
Right. But now poor Allen couldn't buy anything to read on the trip.
32
Well, couldn't you still hurry and get him a couple of newspapers before the train left?
33
That's what I did.
34
I ran to the newsstand, but when I came back the train had already left.

doch: but

Basic Sentences II

35
I wired my reservation for a single room with bath. ('I ordered by telegram a single room with bath.')
36
May I have your name, please? ('May I ask for your name?')
37
Allen.
38
Yes, Mr. Allen, your reservation is here.

telegraphisch: by telegram
Einzelzimmer: the single room

39
Wir haben für Sie Zimmer 252 im zweiten Stock reserviert.
We have reserved Room 252 on the third floor for you.
40
My wife is coming in three days.
41
I'd like to reserve a double room right now, if possible not facing the street.
42
Just a moment, I'll check right away.

reserviert: to reserve
nach: she's coming (later)
Doppelzimmer: the double room
möglichst: possibly, if possible
zu: facing the street

43
We have a nice, quiet room with bath available on the fifth floor.
44
How much does it cost?
45
Forty marks, plus fifteen per cent service charge.
46
Fine. Please reserve the room for us.

frei: free, available
zuzüglich: in addition, plus
Bedienung: the service

47
Would you please fill out this registration blank?
48
And may I see your passport please?
49
How long do you intend to stay?
50
Two weeks altogether, until the twenty-first, that is.

Würden: would
Insgesamt: altogether

51
Then you wish to have the double room from the tenth to the twenty-first?
52
Yes that's right. Can I pay with traveler's checks?
53
Of course.
54
That's your baggage, isn't it?

Jawohl: yes, that's right
Reiseschecks: the traveler's check
Selbstverständlich: of course

55
Yes.
56
The bellhop will bring it up to your room right away.
57
I wired my reservation for a single room with bath. ('I ordered by telegram a single room with bath.')
58
May I have your name, please? ('May I ask for your name?')
59
Allen.
60
Yes, Mr. Allen, your reservation is here.
61
Wir haben für Sie Zimmer 252 im zweiten Stock reserviert.
We have reserved Room 252 on the third floor for you.
62
My wife is coming in three days.
63
I'd like to reserve a double room right now, if possible not facing the street.
64
Just a moment, I'll check right away.
65
We have a nice, quiet room with bath available on the fifth floor.
66
How much does it cost?
67
Forty marks, plus fifteen per cent service charge.
68
Fine. Please reserve the room for us.
69
Would you please fill out this registration blank?
70
And may I see your passport please?
71
How long do you intend to stay?
72
Two weeks altogether, until the twenty-first, that is.
73
Then you wish to have the double room from the tenth to the twenty-first?
74
Yes that's right. Can I pay with traveler's checks?
75
Of course.
76
That's your baggage, isn't it?
77
Yes.
78
The bellhop will bring it up to your room right away.

Zimmer: up to the room

Basic Sentences III

79
Mr. Allen rings for the maid.
80
Would you please have these two suits pressed?
81
And where does one get shoes polished [around] here?
82
Put them outside the door of your room tonight, please.

Zimmermädchen: the maid
geputzt: to polish

83
Can you tell me by the way if it's possible to get theater tickets through the hotel?
84
Get in touch with the desk clerk, please.
85
He'll certainly be able to give you [the] information.
86
Mr. Allen rings for the maid.
87
Would you please have these two suits pressed?
88
And where does one get shoes polished [around] here?
89
Put them outside the door of your room tonight, please.
90
Can you tell me by the way if it's possible to get theater tickets through the hotel?
91
Get in touch with the desk clerk, please.
92
He'll certainly be able to give you [the] information.

Basic Sentences IV

93
Mr. Allen picks up the receiver.
94
The operator answers.
95
Please connect me with the desk clerk.
96
Desk. Can I help you?

Zentrale: the (switchboard) operator
sein: to be helpful

97
Hier Allen, Zimmer 252.
This is Mr. Allen in Room 252.
98
Do you know by any chance what's playing at the opera this evening?
99
"The Magic Flute" is at the German Opera House.
100
Good. Please try to get [me] a ticket, if possible in the parquet.
101
Yes, I'll be glad to; I'll call you immediately when I have an answer.
102
Mr. Allen picks up the receiver.
103
The operator answers.
104
Please connect me with the desk clerk.
105
Desk. Can I help you?
106
Hier Allen, Zimmer 252.
This is Mr. Allen in Room 252.
107
Do you know by any chance what's playing at the opera this evening?
108
"The Magic Flute" is at the German Opera House.
109
Good. Please try to get [me] a ticket, if possible in the parquet.
110
Yes, I'll be glad to; I'll call you immediately when I have an answer.

gespielt: to play
gespielt: it is playing
Parkett: the parquet (or orchestra)
sofort: immediately
Bescheid: the information, answer

Verbs. The pluperfect phrase

An event before a past event

The pluperfect is a verb phrase of the past tense of haben or sein and a past participle.

It names an action or state that came before a past time already under discussion. English uses had: he had bought his ticket.

Er kam gestern abend zu mir, nachdem er seine Fahrkarte gelöst hatte. Als ich vom Kiosk zurückkam, war der Zug schon abgefahren.

The perfect has the present of the auxiliary: hat gelöst. The pluperfect has the past: hatte gelöst.

The later time may stay unstated

A sentence in the pluperfect need not name the later past time. That time can be clear from the sentences around it, or only implied.

This question names only one event: Also war der Zug inzwischen schon eingelaufen. The train had come in the meantime then.

Seven verbs take an infinitive

Seven verbs can be auxiliaries to another verb: dürfen, können, mögen, müssen, sollen, wollen and lassen.

In the pluperfect such a verb takes the form of an infinitive, not a past participle. The perfect has the same rule.

Er hatte seine Frau erst anrufen müssen. He had had to telephone his wife first. Müssen here is an infinitive.

The finite verb before two infinitives

In a clause the finite verb is normally last. With one of the seven verbs in the perfect or the pluperfect, it is not.

The finite verb then stands before the two infinitives: Da er den Koffer ins Abteil hatte mitnehmen wollen. Hatte stands before mitnehmen wollen.

Ich wusste nicht, dass du schon den Anzug hattest aufbügeln lassen has the same order.

111
He came to my house yesterday evening after he had bought his ticket.
112
When I came back from the newsstand the train had already left.
113
She had already given her suitcases to a porter before I came to the compartment.
114
The train had come in the meantime then?
115
He had intended to take this suitcase with him to the compartment.
116
He had had to telephone his wife first.
117
Since he had intended to take the suitcase along with him to the compartment he had to go back again.
118
I didn't know that you had already had the suit pressed.

FSI German Basic Course (1961), Unit 14, Notes on Grammar

A. VERBS. THE PLUPERFECT PHRASE.

I.1

Er kam gestern abend zu mir, nachdem er seine Fahrkarte gelöst hatte.
He came to my house yesterday evening after he had bought his ticket.

Als ich vom Kiosk zurückkam, war der Zug schon abgefahren.
When I came back from the newsstand the train had already left.

Sie hatte ihre Koffer schon einem Gepäckträger gegeben, ehe ich ins Abteil kam.
She had already given her suitcases to a porter before I came to the compartment.

In Unit 12 we mentioned several devices for talking about past time in German. One of them was the PERFECT PHRASE, consisting of the PRESENT TENSE of the AUXILIARY VERB plus a PAST PARTICIPLE.

When we want to refer to an action or state previous to a past time under discussion, the PAST TENSE of haben or sein plus the PAST PARTICIPLE is used. This is called the PLUPERFECT PHRASE.

1. Note the following examples:

A. VERBS. THE PLUPERFECT PHRASE.

I.2

Also war der Zug inzwischen schon eingelaufen?
The train had come in the meantime then?

2. The previous action or state may only be implied or may have been indicated in other sentences in context:

A. VERBS. THE PLUPERFECT PHRASE.

II.1

Diesen Koffer hatte er mit ins Abteil nehmen wollen.
He had intended to take this suitcase with him to the compartment.

Er hatte seine Frau erst anrufen müssen.
He had had to telephone his wife first.

The PLUPERFECT PHRASE with the verbs dürfen, können, mögen, müssen, sollen, wollen and lassen.

1. Instead of the PAST PARTICIPLE the INFINITIVE form is used when these verbs are themselves functioning as auxiliaries in a PLUPERFECT PHRASE. See Unit 12, where the PERFECT PHRASE is described, and the following examples:

A. VERBS. THE PLUPERFECT PHRASE.

II.2

Da er den Koffer ins Abteil hatte mitnehmen wollen, musste er nochmal zurückgehen.
Since he had intended to take the suitcase along with him to the compartment he had to go back again.

Ich wusste nicht, dass du schon den Anzug hattest aufbügeln lassen.
I didn't know that you had already had the suit pressed.

2. When a PERFECT or PLUPERFECT PHRASE with one of the above verbs functioning as an auxiliary occurs in a subordinate clause, the finite verb does not come last in the clause. Note the following examples:

Verbs. The infinitive and the infinitive phrase, 1 of 2

The infinitive at the end

Dürfen, können, möchte, müssen, sollen, wollen and lassen take an infinitive, as English can, may, must and let do. Werden with an infinitive makes the future.

The infinitive stands at the end of the sentence. Its form does not change, whatever the form of the auxiliary.

Ich muss einige Briefe schreiben. Der Page wird es auf Ihr Zimmer bringen.

The infinitive with zu

An infinitive phrase is an infinitive with zu, alone or with other words that belong to it.

The phrase can be zu and the infinitive only: Wie lange beabsichtigen Sie zu bleiben. This sentence is a question.

The other words come before zu: eine Karte für die Staatsoper zu bekommen. English puts them after: to get a ticket for the State Opera.

The infinitive with zu is not always last. In Unser Plan, nach Hamburg zu fahren, hat nicht geklappt, more words follow fahren.

Um before an infinitive phrase

An infinitive phrase can begin with a preposition. Um is the most common.

Um often expresses purpose, in order to: Ich gehe zur Bank, um Geld abzuheben. It has other uses too.

Das Kind ist noch zu klein, um allein mit der Strassenbahn zu fahren. The child is still too small to go on the streetcar alone.

119
He couldn't buy anything to read on the trip.
120
I have to write some letters.
121
Have this article translated please.
122
The bellhop will bring it up to your room.
123
How long do you intend to stay?
124
Please try to get a ticket for the State Opera.
125
We took a side trip to Hannover in order to look around the industrial exposition.
126
You don't need to stay longer today.
127
Our plan to go to Hamburg didn't work out.
128
I'm going to the bank (in order) to get some money.
129
He got in touch with the consulate in order to get the information.
130
He went to the concert to hear the Philharmonic.
131
The child is still too small to go on the streetcar alone.

FSI German Basic Course (1961), Unit 14, Notes on Grammar

B. VERBS. THE INFINITIVE AND THE INFINITIVE PHRASE.

I

Er konnte keine Reiselektüre kaufen.
He couldn't buy anything to read on the trip.

Ich muss einige Briefe schreiben.
I have to write some letters.

Lassen Sie diesen Artikel doch bitte übersetzen.
Have this article translated please.

Der Page wird es auf Ihr Zimmer bringen.
The bellhop will bring it up to your room.

The INFINITIVE in verb phrases was discussed in Units 2, 9 and 11. Here we noted that the auxiliary verbs dürfen, können, möchte(n), müssen, sollen, wollen and lassen occur with an infinitive in much the same way as English can, may, must, let, etc., and that the auxiliary verb werden is used with the infinitive to form the future phrase just as English will. The following examples are given as a review of this construction:

Note that the INFINITIVE always occurs at the end of the sentence and that its form remains invariable, no matter what form the auxiliary verb has.

B. VERBS. THE INFINITIVE AND THE INFINITIVE PHRASE.

II.1

Wie lange beabsichtigen Sie zu bleiben?
How long do you intend to stay?

Versuchen Sie doch bitte, eine Karte für die Staatsoper zu bekommen.
Please try to get a ticket for the State Opera.

Wir machten einen Abstecher nach Hannover, um uns die Industriemesse anzusehen.
We took a side trip to Hannover in order to look around the industrial exposition.

Sie brauchen heute nicht länger zu bleiben.
You don't need to stay longer today.

Unser Plan, nach Hamburg zu fahren, hat nicht geklappt.
Our plan to go to Hamburg didn't work out.

The construction in which the INFINITIVE is preceded by or combined with zu is called the INFINITIVE PHRASE.

1. Note the following examples:

An INFINITIVE PHRASE may consist only of the INFINITIVE with zu as in example a) above, or it may consist of a number of other sentence elements (nouns, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, etc.) in addition to the INFINITIVE with zu as in examples b), c), d), and e). Notice that these other elements always precede the INFINITIVE with zu. In the English translations you will notice that they follow the English INFINITIVE. The INFINITIVE with zu however, unlike the INFINITIVE in verb phrases, is not always the last element in the sentence.

B. VERBS. THE INFINITIVE AND THE INFINITIVE PHRASE.

II.2

Ich gehe zur Bank, um Geld abzuheben.
I'm going to the bank (in order) to get some money.

Er setzte sich mit dem Konsulat in Verbindung, um die Auskunft zu bekommen.
He got in touch with the consulate in order to get the information.

Er ging in das Konzert, um die Philharmoniker zu hören.
He went to the concert to hear the Philharmonic.

Das Kind ist noch zu klein, um allein mit der Strassenbahn zu fahren.
The child is still too small to go on the streetcar alone.

2. The INFINITIVE PHRASE may be introduced by a preposition, as seen in 1. c) above. The preposition um occurs most commonly in this construction. It is frequently, although not exclusively, used to express purpose or intent.

Verbs. The infinitive and the infinitive phrase, 2 of 2

Um can be left out

In some sentences um can be kept or left out. The meaning does not change.

Da haben wir noch Zeit, uns den Ort anzusehen and Da haben wir noch Zeit, um uns den Ort anzusehen mean the same.

Zu after an accented adverb

The infinitive is the form of a verb that dictionaries and vocabulary lists give. For a verb with an accented adverb, the lists also give the ich- or er-form.

In an infinitive with zu, the accented adverb comes first, then zu, then the verb. All three are written as one word.

Anrufen gives anzurufen. Other examples are einzurichten, mitzukommen and vorzustellen.

132
Then we still have time to take a look around the place.
133
Then we still have time to take a look around the place.
134
He had to make an effort to get the suitcase out in time before the train left.
135
He had to make an effort to get the suitcase out in time before the train left.

FSI German Basic Course (1961), Unit 14, Notes on Grammar

B. VERBS. THE INFINITIVE AND THE INFINITIVE PHRASE.

II.3

Da haben wir noch Zeit, uns den Ort anzusehen.
Then we still have time to take a look around the place.

Da haben wir noch Zeit, um uns den Ort anzusehen.
Then we still have time to take a look around the place.

Er hat sich Mühe geben müssen, den Koffer vor Abfahrt des Zuges noch herauszubekommen.
He had to make an effort to get the suitcase out in time before the train left.

Er hat sich Mühe geben müssen, um den Koffer vor Abfahrt des Zuges noch herauszubekommen.
He had to make an effort to get the suitcase out in time before the train left.

3. In a number of cases the preposition um may occur optionally.

B. VERBS. THE INFINITIVE AND THE INFINITIVE PHRASE.

III

The INFINITIVE has come to be accepted as the citation form of the verb. It is the form cited in most dictionaries and vocabulary lists and is the form presented in the build-ups of our basic sentences when a new verb is introduced. When the verb has an accented adverb however we also cite the ich- or er-form of the present or past in order to indicate this fact.

It should be noted that when a verb with an accented adverb occurs in the INFINITIVE form with zu the accented adverb precedes zu and the whole thing is written as one word. In paragraph II above, sentences 1.c), 2.a) and 3.a) and b) contain such forms. The following are additional examples:

Forms: anzurufen, einzurichten, mitzukommen, vorzustellen

Time expressions: wann, wenn and als

Three words for when

English has one word, when. German has three: wann, wenn and als.

They are not interchangeable. Each has its own meaning.

Wann asks about time

Wann begins a question about time: Wann werden Sie nach Deutschland fahren.

Wann also begins a reported question: Ich konnte ihm nicht sagen, wann die Konferenz stattgefunden hatte.

The time can be present, past or future.

Wenn: whenever, or when and if

Wenn names an action that repeats, in the present or the past. It then means whenever: Wenn er französisch sprach, konnte ich ihn nie verstehen.

Wenn also names one action in the present or the future: wenn es nicht mehr regnet, when it is no longer raining.

In this second use German does not separate when from if.

Als: one event in the past

Als names one specific action or situation in the past: als ich zurückkam, war der Zug schon abgefahren.

An action that repeated in the past takes wenn, not als.

136
When does the post office close actually?
137
I'll call you immediately when I have an answer.
138
When we arrived it was raining.
139
When will you be going to Germany?
140
I couldn't tell him when (at what time) the conference had taken place.
141
When (whenever) he spoke French I could never understand him.
142
Later, when (if) it's no longer raining perhaps we could take a walk.
143
I ran to the newsstand, but when I came back the train had already left.

FSI German Basic Course (1961), Unit 14, Notes on Grammar

C. TIME EXPRESSIONS: wann, wenn and als

Wann macht die Post eigentlich zu? (5)
When does the post office close actually?

Ich rufe Sie sofort an, wenn ich Bescheid habe. (14)
I'll call you immediately when I have an answer.

Als wir ankamen, regnete es. (13)
When we arrived it was raining.

Wann, wenn and als have all occurred in the basic sentences with the English translation "when". They are however not interchangeable, but are quite distinct in meaning.

C. TIME EXPRESSIONS: wann, wenn and als

1

Wann werden Sie nach Deutschland fahren?
When will you be going to Germany?

Ich konnte ihm nicht sagen, wann die Konferenz stattgefunden hatte.
I couldn't tell him when (at what time) the conference had taken place.

1. Wann occurs in questions or in sentences that imply a question (indirect questions). It may occur with present, past or future time.

C. TIME EXPRESSIONS: wann, wenn and als

2

Wenn er französisch sprach, konnte ich ihn nie verstehen.
When (whenever) he spoke French I could never understand him.

Später, wenn es nicht mehr regnet, könnten wir vielleicht noch einen Spaziergang machen.
Later, when (if) it's no longer raining perhaps we could take a walk.

2. Wenn occurs in statements referring to a recurrent action or situation in the present or past ("whenever") and in statements referring to a specific action or situation in the present or future. Note that in this latter situation Germans don't really differentiate between "when" and "if".

C. TIME EXPRESSIONS: wann, wenn and als

3

Ich rannte zum Kiosk, doch als ich zurückkam, war der Zug schon abgefahren.
I ran to the newsstand, but when I came back the train had already left.

3. Als refers to a specific action or situation in the past.

Substitution Drill

144
She brought him the ticket.
145
After the conference he got in touch with the plant manager.
146
Before the business trip he called Mr. Meyer.

147
Before the business trip he called Mr. Meyer.
148
Did he forget to buy the newspaper this morning?
149
We intend to take a trip.

150
We intend to take a trip.
151
Have you already begun to write the article?
152
He forgot to take his briefcase along.
153
I asked him to take the luggage to the baggage checkroom.

154
I asked him to take the luggage to the baggage checkroom.
155
Do try to get theater tickets.
156
He didn't intend to spend so much money.

Variation Drill

157
After he had bought his ticket he came to my house.
158
She was late today because she had missed the bus.
159
When I came back the train had already left.
160
Had the train come in in the meantime?

161
Had the train come in in the meantime?
162
I didn't know that you had taken the suitcases with you to the compartment.
163
I had (stayed on and) written a few letters before I went to the movies.
164
Did you see whether he got his suitcase out?

165
Did you see whether he got his suitcase out?
166
After the performance he had a glass of wine with his friends.
167
Before the departure of the train we went and got something to read on the trip too.
168
After the conference in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs he wrote a detailed report.
169
Before the train left I was able to get him a few newspapers.

170
Before the train left I was able to get him a few newspapers.
171
When I arrived at ('in') the hotel I first had to fill out a registration blank.
172
I'll call you up when I have an answer.
173
We made an effort not to be late.

174
We made an effort not to be late.
175
He got in touch with the desk clerk in order to get information.
176
We tried to get tickets for the German Opera House.

Vocabulary Drill

177
He helped her to take the suitcases to the station.
178
Can you help me translate the letter?
179
He helped her to fill out the questionnaire.
180
Who helped him to write the report?
181
The desk clerk will help you to fill out the registration blank.
182
We asked them to come to our house on Sunday.
183
They asked the desk clerk to reserve a double room.
184
We had asked the porter to take the suitcases right to the compartment.
185
I've asked the workmen to check the heating plant.

186
Mr. Schmidt asked the maid to have the suit pressed for him.
187
He tried to buy a paper shortly before train time.
188
Mr. Müller is trying to get a ticket for the opera.
189
I was trying to call up the Economic Section this morning.
190
Try to get me a taxi please.
191
Did you try to get in touch with the plant manager?
192
She has already begun to translate the article.
193
I've just started to unpack my suitcase.
194
We started arranging [the furniture in] our apartment yesterday.

195
He has started smoking a pipe now.
196
Have you started writing the letter to the Qualitz Company yet?
197
He still hopes to be able to get theater tickets.
198
We hope to be able to drive to the mountains with the Meyers.
199
I was hoping to hear from him this week.
200
She hopes to be able to drive to his place soon.
201
I was hoping to see you at the conference yesterday.
202
It occurred to me yesterday that I hadn't given Mr. Keller the report yet.
203
I can't think of anything now.

204
Did you remember in the meantime what [it was] you wanted to get down town?
205
I can't think of his name.
206
His telephone number just came back to me.
207
Your application has been here since yesterday.
208
The answer from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is already here.
209
Is the report on the conference here yet?
210
The latest news hasn't come in yet.
211
Your reservation for a double room is here.
212
He's just looking up the number in the telephone book.

213
Please check when the train to Munich leaves.
214
He had to have his car checked.
215
See where the papers are please.
216
Mr. Allen checked [as to] what he had dictated to his secretary.
217
Did you ask her for her address?
218
He asks her for a stamp.
219
She just asked me for a glass of water.
220
He asked me for the report.
221
She had asked me for [an item of] information.

222
Get in touch with the Economic Section.
223
I definitely have to get in touch with the union secretary.
224
Have you contacted the Ministry of Economic affairs yet?
225
Did the plant manager get in touch with you?
226
I'll contact the German Opera House right away.
227
Have you taken the books to the library yet?
228
We took Frau von Rothenburg to the station after the lecture.
229
Please take this letter to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
230
The bellhop has already taken the baggage up to our room.

231
I take my children to school every day.
232
Which suitcase do you want to take with you to the compartment?
233
Take the letters along with you to the post office.
234
Can you give me a lift down town?
235
We want to take the children with us to the theater.
236
Did the plant manager take you with him to the industrial exposition?
237
Are the Beckers also coming to your house tonight?
238
We're planning to drive to his place tomorrow.
239
When do you want to come to my office?

240
The workmen are coming to our house today.
241
He came to our section yesterday morning.

Translation Drill 1

242
Mr. Schmidt and Mr. Müller were speaking of their friend, Mr. Allen.
243
Mr. Müller had accompanied Mr. Allen to the train in the evening.
244
Unfortunately not everything had worked out all right.
245
Mr. Allen had come to his house in the afternoon after he had bought his ticket.
246
He had also taken his four suitcases to the baggage checkroom.
247
Not until he was at his friend's house did it occur to him that he had intended to take one of the suitcases with him to the compartment.
248
He just got this suitcase out in time before the train left.
249
He was lucky; there was a porter standing there, and he took the suitcase right to the compartment.
250
Because the train had already come in, Mr. Allen no longer had time to buy any newspapers.
251
Mr. Müller tried to get him a few, but when he came back from the newsstand the train had already left.
252
Mr. Allen came into the hotel.
253
He had reserved a single room with bath by telegram.
254
Die Bestellung lag vor, man hatte ihm Zimmer 252 im zweiten Stock reserviert.
The reservation was there; they had reserved Room 252 on the third floor for him.

Translation Drill 2

255
Since he was expecting his wife in three days, he ordered a double room at the same time (right away).
256
He was able to get a nice, quiet room on the fifth floor.
257
It was to cost forty marks, plus 15 per cent service charge.
258
Mr. Allen reserved this room.
259
Then he had to show his passport and fill out a registration blank.
260
He intended to stay for two weeks altogether.
261
He was planning to pay with traveler's checks.
262
Der Page brachte das Gepäck auf Zimmer 252.
The bellhop took the baggage to Room 252.
263
Mr. Allen rang for the maid.
264
He asked her to have his suits pressed.
265
Mr. Allen put his shoes outside the door of his room in the evening in order to get them polished.
266
Unfortunately the maid could give him no information about theater tickets.
267
He had to get in touch with the desk clerk.

Translation Drill 3

268
He called up and asked the desk clerk for information.
269
The desk clerk knew that the "Magic Flute" was at the German Opera House.
270
Mr. Allen wanted to have a ticket in the orchestra.

Response Drill 1

271
Who accompanied Herrn Allen to the train?
272
Mr. Müller accompanied him to the train.
273
When did they go to the train station?
274
They went to the station in the evening.
275
Did everything work out?
276
No, several things went wrong.
277
When did Mr. Allen go to see Mr. Müller?
278
He went to see him in the afternoon after he had bought his ticket.
279
What had he done with his luggage?
280
He had taken his four suitcases to the baggage check.
281
What did he remember while he was at Mr. Müller's?
282
He remembered that he had wanted to take one of these suitcases into the compartment with him.
283
What did he do before the train departed?
284
He tried to retrieve the suitcase.
285
Who then carried the suitcase into his compartment?
286
A porter brought it to his compartment.
287
What was there no longer enough time for?
288
There was not enough time to buy something to read on the trip.
289
What did Mr. Müller do before the train left?
290
He ran to the newsstand to buy newspapers.
291
What did he see when he returned?
292
He saw that the train had already left.
293
What kind of room had Mr. Allen reserved?
294
He had reserved a single room with a bath.
295
Which room had the reception clerk reserved for him?
296
Er hatte Zimmer 252 für ihn reserviert.
He had reserved room 252 for him.

Response Drill 2

297
What floor was the room on?
298
It was on the second floor.
299
Why did he have a double room reserved right away?
300
His wife planned to join him in three days.
301
Where else was a quiet room available?
302
There was still a nice, quiet room available on the fourth floor.
303
How much was the room?
304
It cost forty marks, plus fifteen percent for service.
305
What did Mr. Allen have to show the reception manager?
306
He had to show him his passport.
307
What did he have to fill out?
308
He had to fill out a registration form.
309
How long was he planning to stay?
310
He wanted to stay for a total of two weeks.
311
How did Herr Allen want to pay?
312
He wanted to pay with traveler's checks.
313
Who took care of his luggage?
314
The bellboy, he took it straight to his room.
315
Why did Herr Allen ring for the chambermaid?
316
He wanted to have his suits pressed.
317
Why did he then contact the reception manager?
318
He wanted to know whether theater tickets could be obtained through the hotel.
319
What was playing at the Deutsche Oper?
320
They were presenting "The Magic Flute."

Narrative

321
Yesterday Mr. Müller received a letter from Mr. Allen.
322
You will hardly believe all the things that happened to the luckless Mr. Allen.
323
Absolutely everything had gone wrong.
324
Just after he had put the business with the suitcase and the reading material behind him, he discovered that someone was sitting in his reserved seat.
325
After a long search, the other man found his seat reservation; they compared the numbers and Mr. Allen was, of course, in the right.
326
Exhausted, he sank into his seat and smoked his last cigarette.
327
Not long afterward, the train suddenly stopped.
328
At first, the people in the compartment waited patiently; then they gradually grew restless, began putting away their newspapers and books, and lit cigarettes.
329
At last the conductor came by, and they asked him the reason for the delay.
330
Because of a minor train accident, the train was not given the signal to proceed, and it was only after two hours that it could finally continue on its way.
331
Mr. Allen then arrived in Berlin two hours late, immediately took a taxi, and prepared himself to encounter a traffic jam as well.
332
That did not happen; he was dropped off in front of the hotel in no time.
333
But now there had to be some compensation for this trouble-free taxi ride.
334
There was no room reservation under the name Allen, and the hotel was completely booked because of a conference.
335
Mr. Allen was desperate, tried to remember the exact wording of his telegram, and insisted that he had received a confirmation from the hotel in reply.
336
After much back-and-forth, the misunderstanding was finally resolved: the room had been booked under the wrong name, his first name, in fact.

Situations

337
Mr. Schmidt calls a hotel in Bad Pyrmont.
338
He speaks with the desk clerk, gives his name and asks whether he can have a double room with bath and two single rooms from the 5th to the 12th of August.
339
The desk clerk will reserve these rooms for him.
340
Mr. Schmidt says that he and his family are arriving on the twelve fifteen train.
341
He would like to know whether there are taxis at the station or how else he can get to the hotel.
342
Mr. Allen tells Mr. Müller that he has to make a business trip to Berlin.
343
He has not traveled by train in Germany yet and asks Mr. Müller to go to the station with him.
344
Mr. Müller is glad to do that and asks when Mr. Allen wants to leave.
345
Mr. Allen plans to leave at twenty-two thirty-five in the evening.
346
Mr. Müller wants to know whether he has much baggage.
347
Mr. Allen has two large suitcases and would like to take them to the baggage counter.
348
Mr. Müller says Mr. Allen should come to his house for supper.
349
At half past nine he wants to drive him to the station in his car.

350
You are at the station in Bremen.
351
You want to go to München.
352
Since you have three large suitcases, you call a porter.
353
He asks you which train you want to take.
354
You tell him and then ask him where you can buy something to read on the trip.
355
He shows you the newsstand.
356
You go there and buy two newspapers.
357
Then the porter says that your train has already come in and that you have to hurry.
358
He takes your suitcases into the compartment.
359
You tell him that you would like to sit by the window.
360
Then you ask him how much he gets.

361
You are telling your colleague about your trip to Berlin.
362
A whole lot went wrong.
363
You had overslept and almost missed the train, because you had not bought a ticket yet.
364
Your baggage was very heavy and you could not find a porter.
365
After you were finally sitting in the train, it occurred to you that you had left your briefcase at the office.
366
Fortunately your secretary had found it and brought it to the train quickly.
367
After the train had left, you saw that you had forgotten to get something to read on the trip.
368
When you arrived in Berlin, you took a taxi to the hotel.
369
You had reserved a room there by telegram.
370
Unfortunately the desk clerk had forgotten to reserve it.
371
But he still had a room free, without bath, on the eighth floor.
372
The next day you went to a conference.
373
Unfortunately you heard that it had already taken place a week before.
374
Now you are glad that you are home again.

375
You are in your room at the hotel.
376
You call the desk clerk and ask him to get you a ticket for "Die Zauberflöte" for this evening.
377
The desk clerk will try.
378
He calls back and tells you that he was able to get one more ticket in the orchestra for you.
379
You can pick the ticket up this evening at the box office of the State Opera.
380
You thank him and then ask him whether there is a good restaurant near the opera where you can eat beforehand.
381
The desk clerk tells you that there is a nice little restaurant next to the opera.