German Basic Course, Unit 17: Einkaufspläne

Basic Sentences I

1
Do you feel like taking a walk with me now down where the stores are?
Habenhave
Siewould you like
Lust,desire
jetztnow
mitsausage and sauerkraut
mirme, to me
durchthrough
diethe embassy
Geschäftsstrassenstreet where the stores are located (plural)
zuto be declared
gehen?to go and eat
2
Yes, but I've just come from a swim and don't like to go out without having eaten something.
3
Otherwise I have no objection (to it).

Geschäftsstrassen: the street where the stores are located
Schwimmen: the swim, swimming

4
Isn't there a snack bar here in the vicinity?
5
Good idea. We only need to go across the street.
6
Can I leave my car (standing) behind the house here in the meantime ('during this time')?
7
No problem; nobody bothers about parking here.
8
Do you feel like taking a walk with me now down where the stores are?
9
Yes, but I've just come from a swim and don't like to go out without having eaten something.
10
Otherwise I have no objection (to it).
11
Isn't there a snack bar here in the vicinity?
12
Good idea. We only need to go across the street.
13
Can I leave my car (standing) behind the house here in the meantime ('during this time')?
14
No problem; nobody bothers about parking here.

bloss: just, only
weiteres: no problem, without more ado, certainly
niemand: nobody
Parken: the parking

Basic Sentences II

15
Perhaps we could go to the camera store first.
16
I have to get a film developed.
17
Suits me fine. I've been carrying two negatives around with me for several days [that] I wanted to get prints of for my mother's birthday.

Negative: the negative

18
I just remember that getting the film developed wasn't the only thing, (but) my enlargements ought to be ready too.

sondern: but (rather)
Vergrösserungen: the enlargement
müssten: ought to, should
fertig: ready, done, finished

19
Recently a friend of mine asked me for a 35 mm camera catalogue, and I can get two black and white films and a color film at the same time, too.
20
Didn't you want to go to Müller's Bookstore also?

Kleinbildkameras: the 35 mm camera
Schwarzweissfilme: the black and white film

21
Yes. I was standing in front of the show window not long ago (and) wondering what dictionary I ought to buy.
22
If you have any questions don't hesitate to go to the dealer; he'll be glad to advise you.
23
Perhaps we could go to the camera store first.
24
I have to get a film developed.
25
Suits me fine. I've been carrying two negatives around with me for several days [that] I wanted to get prints of for my mother's birthday.
26
I just remember that getting the film developed wasn't the only thing, (but) my enlargements ought to be ready too.
27
Recently a friend of mine asked me for a 35 mm camera catalogue, and I can get two black and white films and a color film at the same time, too.
28
Didn't you want to go to Müller's Bookstore also?
29
Yes. I was standing in front of the show window not long ago (and) wondering what dictionary I ought to buy.
30
If you have any questions don't hesitate to go to the dealer; he'll be glad to advise you.

mir: I think (it) over
sollte: should, ought to
Fragen: the question, problem
ruhig: don't hesitate to, go ahead and
Buchhändler: the bookseller, dealer

Basic Sentences III

31
Then I wanted to take a look at some television sets too.
32
Do you have any idea how the prices run?
33
That depends on the model and size.

Fernsehapparate: the television set
Preise: the price
an: the important thing is, that depends (on)

34
Ich habe ein Tischgerät mit einem 43 cm Bildschirm und habe 695 Mark dafür bezahlt.
I have a table model with a 17" screen and paid 695 marks for it.

cm: the centimeter

35
What do you think of a combination, including ('with') radio, record player and tape recorder?
36
Doesn't sound bad; we can have them demonstrate various sets to us.
37
O.K., and if we pass by a hardware store I wanted to get a hammer and a pair of pliers and a screwdriver.
38
Then I wanted to take a look at some television sets too.
39
Do you have any idea how the prices run?
40
That depends on the model and size.
41
Ich habe ein Tischgerät mit einem 43 cm Bildschirm und habe 695 Mark dafür bezahlt.
I have a table model with a 17" screen and paid 695 marks for it.
42
What do you think of a combination, including ('with') radio, record player and tape recorder?
43
Doesn't sound bad; we can have them demonstrate various sets to us.
44
O.K., and if we pass by a hardware store I wanted to get a hammer and a pair of pliers and a screwdriver.

Gut: all right, O.K.
Schraubenzieher: the screwdriver

Basic Sentences IV

45
Do you have to repair something?
46
Up to now when anything in the house went on the blink the carpenter or the appliance man or plumber was always called in.
47
And when you did that you of course found out that workmen nowadays keep you waiting a long time.

Tischler: the carpenter, cabinet maker
bzw: or, as the case may be
Klempner: the plumber
heutzutage: nowadays

48
Yes. When the faucet was dripping in the bathroom recently I couldn't get a plumber for days.
49
One of the most necessary tools in that case is a monkey wrench.

Badezimmer: the bathroom
tagelang: (for) days
Engländer: the monkey wrench

50
Oh, that's right. As you see my errands will take a while.
51
I hope I'm not taking up too much of your time.
52
Not at all. As far as I'm concerned we can stay down town up until the stores close.
53
Do you have to repair something?
54
Up to now when anything in the house went on the blink the carpenter or the appliance man or plumber was always called in.
55
And when you did that you of course found out that workmen nowadays keep you waiting a long time.
56
Yes. When the faucet was dripping in the bathroom recently I couldn't get a plumber for days.
57
One of the most necessary tools in that case is a monkey wrench.
58
Oh, that's right. As you see my errands will take a while.
59
I hope I'm not taking up too much of your time.
60
Not at all. As far as I'm concerned we can stay down town up until the stores close.

Weile: a while
Meinetwegen: on my account, as far as I'm concerned
solange: for this length of time
bis: until
bis: up until

Prepositions - summary and review, 1 of 5

Prepositions sorted by case

Almost all common German prepositions have now occurred. They fall into four lists, by the case of the noun after them.

One list takes the accusative. One takes the dative. One takes the dative or the accusative. One takes the genitive.

Learn each preposition with its list.

Six prepositions with the accusative

Six common prepositions take the accusative: bis, durch, für, gegen, ohne and um.

A few more take the accusative. They are much less common in speech.

Eight prepositions with the dative

Eight common prepositions take the dative: aus, bei, gegenüber, mit, nach, seit, von and zu.

Gegenüber can stand before its noun or after it.

Other prepositions with the dative are less common.

61
Someone is at the door.
62
He's a professor at the university.
63
She's a secretary at the union.
64
I was at the shoemaker's this morning.
65
We were at the station at ten o'clock.
66
I met her at a party.
67
I was at the town hall and was able to have my application processed right away.
68
We saw the old meeting rooms at the town hall.

FSI German Basic Course (1961), Unit 17, Notes on Grammar

A. PREPOSITIONS - SUMMARY AND REVIEW

I

In this unit we are reviewing the prepositions encountered up to this point. This now includes almost all of the prepositions in common use. They are listed here according to the noun forms they occur with: accusative, dative, dative or accusative, and genitive.

A. PREPOSITIONS - SUMMARY AND REVIEW

I.1. Prepositions with the accusative:

bis   durch   für   gegen   ohne   um

These six are the most common prepositions with the accusative. A few others occur but are much less frequently encountered in speech.

A. PREPOSITIONS - SUMMARY AND REVIEW

I.2. Prepositions with the dative:

aus   bei   gegenüber   mit   nach   seit   von   zu

These eight prepositions occur very commonly in speech. Remember that gegenüber may appear either before or after the noun it is associated with. Other prepositions with the dative which you may encounter later on are of generally less common occurrence.

A. PREPOSITIONS - SUMMARY AND REVIEW

I.3. Prepositions with the dative or accusative:

an   auf   hinter   in   neben   über   unter   vor   zwischen

These nine prepositions are the only ones in the language which may occur either with the dative or the accusative. There are no others. Remember that in referring to locations these are two-way prepositions, their occurrence with the dative signifying a state of rest and their occurrence with the accusative signifying the goal or end-point of motion. In other uses however they occur either with the dative or with the accusative, but the choice is not related at all to the choice of dative or accusative in locations.

A. PREPOSITIONS - SUMMARY AND REVIEW

I.4. Prepositions with the genitive:

diesseits   jenseits   während

Of these während is the most common. There are a few other prepositions with the genitive which occur fairly frequently in speech. We will encounter them in following units.

A. PREPOSITIONS - SUMMARY AND REVIEW

II

Jemand ist an der Tür.
Someone is at the door.

Er ist Professor an der Universität.
He's a professor at the university.

Sie ist Sekretärin bei der Gewerkschaft.
She's a secretary at the union.

Ich war heute vormittag beim Schuster.
I was at the shoemaker's this morning.

Wir waren um zehn Uhr auf dem Bahnhof.
We were at the station at ten o'clock.

Ich habe sie auf einer Gesellschaft kennengelernt.
I met her at a party.

Ich war auf dem Rathaus und konnte meinen Antrag gleich bearbeiten lassen.
I was at the town hall and was able to have my application processed right away.

Wir haben die alten Tagungsräume im Rathaus gesehen.
We saw the old meeting rooms at the town hall.

Haben Sie schon in diesem Restaurant gegessen?
Have you eaten at this restaurant yet?

Herr Schmidt ist an die Tür gekommen.
Mr. Schmidt came to the door.

Ich ging heute vormittag zum Schuster.
I went to the shoemaker's this morning.

Wir gingen um zehn Uhr auf den Bahnhof.
We went (in)to the station at ten o'clock.

Wir sind zum Bahnhof gefahren.
We drove to the station.

Wir können ins Hofbräuhaus gehen.
We can go to the 'Hofbräuhaus'.

Oder wollen wir zum Ratskeller fahren?
Or shall we drive to the 'Ratskeller'?

Location "at" a place, particularly at a place of business or professional activity, can be indicated by four different prepositions in German: an, auf, bei and in. Which one is used depends on the particular place or building in question and sometimes on the activity.

Likewise going "to" a particular place can be indicated by four different prepositions: an, auf, in and zu.

In a few cases two or more prepositions can be used interchangeably. Sometimes the use of a different preposition implies a slightly different situation. For the most part however certain prepositions are associated by preference with certain specific locations. The most common of these associations will be summarized in the drills of this unit.

Prepositions - summary and review, 2 of 5

Nine prepositions with either case

Nine prepositions take the dative or the accusative: an, auf, hinter, in, neben, über, unter, vor and zwischen. No other preposition does this.

For a location, the dative means rest in a place. The accusative means the goal of a movement.

In other uses these nine also take the dative or the accusative. There the choice has nothing to do with rest or movement.

Prepositions with the genitive

Three prepositions take the genitive: diesseits, jenseits and während.

Während is the most common of the three.

A few more prepositions with the genitive are fairly common in speech.

Four words for at, four for to

English says at a place. German has four prepositions for this: an, auf, bei and in. The place decides which one, and sometimes the activity.

English says to a place. German again has four: an, auf, in and zu.

Sometimes two prepositions are interchangeable. Sometimes a different one means a slightly different situation.

Mostly each place has its own preposition. Ich war heute vormittag beim Schuster. Ich ging heute vormittag zum Schuster.

69
Have you eaten at this restaurant yet?
70
Mr. Schmidt came to the door.
71
I went to the shoemaker's this morning.
72
We went (in)to the station at ten o'clock.
73
We drove to the station.
74
We can go to the 'Hofbräuhaus'.
75
Or shall we drive to the 'Ratskeller'?

Prepositions - summary and review, 3 of 5

Prepositions in time expressions

Six prepositions occur in time expressions: an, in, seit, nach, vor and um.

Only um takes the accusative here. The other five take the dative.

Um diese Zeit gibt es sehr wenig Verkehr: diese is accusative. Er kam nach dem Essen zu uns: dem is dative.

Bis and gegenüber with a second preposition

Bis and gegenüber are sometimes joined to another preposition. The usual pairs are bis zu and gegenüber von.

The noun after the pair takes its case from the second preposition. Zu and von take the dative.

So the noun is dative: bis zum Zwanzigsten, gegenüber von der Kirche.

76
The performance began at eight o'clock.
77
At this time there is very little traffic.
78
We're going in a week.
79
I already have an engagement for ('on') that day.
80
We've known him for years.
81
He came to see us after supper.
82
I saw him an hour ago.
83
We're staying in Berlin until the twentieth.
84
Opposite the church there's a little pharmacy.

FSI German Basic Course (1961), Unit 17, Notes on Grammar

A. PREPOSITIONS - SUMMARY AND REVIEW

III

Die Aufführung fing um acht Uhr an.
The performance began at eight o'clock.

Um diese Zeit gibt es sehr wenig Verkehr.
At this time there is very little traffic.

Wir fahren in einer Woche.
We're going in a week.

An dem Tag habe ich schon eine Verabredung.
I already have an engagement for ('on') that day.

Wir kenne ihn seit Jahren.
We've known him for years.

Er kam nach dem Essen zu uns.
He came to see us after supper.

Ich habe ihn vor einer Stunde gesehen.
I saw him an hour ago.

The prepositions an, in, seit, nach, vor and um have all occurred in time expressions. Note that only um is followed by an accusative form. In this use an, in, seit, nach and vor all occur with the dative.

A. PREPOSITIONS - SUMMARY AND REVIEW

IV

Wir bleiben bis zum Zwanzigsten in Berlin.
We're staying in Berlin until the twentieth.

Gegenüber von der Kirche ist eine kleine Apotheke.
Opposite the church there's a little pharmacy.

The prepositions bis and gegenüber are sometimes combined with other prepositions. The most frequent combinations are bis zu and gegenüber von, although bis may occur in combination with several other prepositions. The form of the noun following depends on the preposition immediately preceding it. Bis zu and gegenüber von are thus both followed by a dative form:

Prepositions - summary and review, 4 of 5

Verbs and their fixed prepositions

Many verbs go with one preposition. Sometimes it matches the English one. Sie arbeitet für das Rote Kreuz: she works for the Red Cross.

Often it does not match. Sprechen mit is to talk to. Warten auf is to wait for. Sometimes the pair has its own meaning: ankommen auf is to depend on.

The pairing is arbitrary. Learn the verb, the preposition and the meaning together.

The preposition sets the case. After an or auf it can be either, so learn the case too. Schreiben an takes the accusative. Vorbeikommen an takes the dative.

85
When are you moving into your new house?
86
Please connect me with Mr. Bauer.
87
She works for the Red Cross.
88
Let's begin with the rug.
89
to write to (someone)
90
to get used to
91
to border on
92
to look forward to
93
to have (its) origin in, be traced back to
94
to come by, pass
95
to turn to, apply to, go to
96
to depend on
97
to look toward
98
to wait for

FSI German Basic Course (1961), Unit 17, Notes on Grammar

A. PREPOSITIONS - SUMMARY AND REVIEW

V

Wann ziehen Sie in Ihr neues Haus ein?
When are you moving into your new house?

Verbinden Sie mich bitte mit Herrn Bauer.
Please connect me with Mr. Bauer.

Sie arbeitet für das Rote Kreuz.
She works for the Red Cross.

Fangen wir mit dem Teppich an.
Let's begin with the rug.

schreiben an (acc)
to write to (someone)

sich gewöhnen an (acc)
to get used to

grenzen an (acc)
to border on

sich freuen auf (acc)
to look forward to

zurückgehen auf (acc)
to have (its) origin in, be traced back to

vorbeikommen an (dat)
to come by, pass

sich wenden an (acc)
to turn to, apply to, go to

ankommen auf (acc)
to depend on

blicken auf (acc)
to look toward

warten auf (acc)
to wait for

kommen aus
to come from

einwenden gegen
to make objections to

fahren mit
to go by, take (a vehicle)

rechnen mit
to count on

sprechen mit
to talk to

klingeln nach
to ring for

sich sehnen nach
to long for

bitten um
to ask for, request

sich kümmern um
to bother about, take care of

es handelt sich um
it is about, the matter at hand is

abhängen von
to depend on

halten von
to think of

passen zu
to go with, match

ausreichen zu
to be sufficient for

Verbs are frequently accompanied by prepositions in both German and English. Often this use corresponds exactly in the two languages:

Frequently, however, a German verb is accompanied by a preposition which does not correspond to an English preposition, or the combination has a different meaning from that of the verb and preposition separately. This association of a particular preposition and a particular verb is an arbitrary one, and the VERB-PREPOSITION COMPLEX must be learned as a unit. We noted some of these in Unit 16:

Almost all German prepositions occur in VERB-PREPOSITION COMPLEXES. In addition to the above we have encountered these other combinations:

The form of the noun following such verb-preposition complexes depends upon the preposition. Where two possibilities occur, as with an and auf above, the noun form (i.e., accusative or dative) is indicated as part of the combination, and this information must be memorized along with the complex itself and its meaning.

Prepositions - summary and review, 5 of 5

99
to come from
100
to make objections to
101
to go by, take (a vehicle)
102
to count on
103
to talk to
104
to ring for
105
to long for
106
to ask for, request
107
to bother about, take care of
108
it is about, the matter at hand is
109
to depend on
110
to think of
111
to go with, match
112
to be sufficient for

Infinitives - summary and review, 1 of 2

Two kinds of conjunction

German has two kinds of conjunction.

One kind joins words, phrases or sentences. The other kind introduces a clause that cannot stand by itself.

Four words that join equal parts

Four conjunctions join words, phrases or sentences: aber, oder, sondern and und.

They do not change the word order. The sentence after one of them has normal word order.

Es war nicht nur der Film zu entwickeln, sondern meine Vergrösserungen müssten auch fertig sein. After sondern, the verb müssten comes second.

Conjunctions that introduce a clause

Ten conjunctions introduce a clause that cannot stand by itself: als, bevor, bis, da, dass, ehe, nachdem, ob, seitdem and wenn.

They are clause introducers. Relative pronouns and question words are clause introducers too.

A clause introducer is always followed by clause word order. In Wenn wir an einer Eisenwarenhandlung vorbeikommen, the verb vorbeikommen comes last.

Infinitives of the perfect and the passive

The plain infinitive is one word, such as kaufen or gehen.

The perfect and the passive have infinitives too. Each is a past participle plus the infinitive of haben, sein or werden.

Gekauft haben and gegangen sein are infinitives of the perfect. Gekauft werden is an infinitive of the passive.

Zu comes before the last word: ohne etwas gegessen zu haben.

Infinitives with zu and without

An infinitive with zu stands in an infinitive phrase.

An infinitive without zu stands in certain verb phrases.

Where an infinitive phrase occurs

An infinitive phrase can begin with a preposition such as ohne or um. Ich gehe nicht gern fort, ohne etwas gegessen zu haben.

Infinitive phrases also follow many verbs. Common ones are anfangen, beginnen, bitten, brauchen, helfen, hoffen, vergessen and versuchen.

Wir brauchen bloss über die Strasse zu gehen. Zu stands directly before the infinitive gehen.

Infinitives without zu

The auxiliary verbs dürfen, können, möchte, müssen, sollen, wollen, werden and lassen take an infinitive without zu.

So do bleiben, hören, lernen and sehen.

Ich höre ihn im Badezimmer singen: I hear him singing. The German infinitive often matches an English form in -ing.

Two meanings of lassen

Lassen with an infinitive has two meanings.

One is to have something done. Ich muss einen Film entwickeln lassen: I have to get a film developed. English often uses a past participle here.

The other is to leave. Er hat seine Bücher auf dem Tisch liegen lassen: he left his books lying on the table.

Both languages can leave the infinitive out: Er hat seine Bücher auf dem Tisch gelassen. Lassen is then the complete verb.

113
(to) buy
114
(to) have bought
115
(to) be bought
116
(to) go
117
(to) have gone
118
The ruins are to be left standing ('remain standing') as a solemn reminder.
119
The car stopped ('remained standing') at the corner.
120
I hear him singing in the bathroom.
121
We met ('learned to know') Mr. and Mrs. Schulze in Germany.
122
Do you see the workman standing in front of the house there?
123
I have to get a film developed.
124
Can I leave my car (standing) behind the house here?
125
Leave the picture (hanging) on the wall.
126
He always leaves his books (lying) on the table.
127
He left his books lying on the table.
128
He left his books on the table.

FSI German Basic Course (1961), Unit 17, Notes on Grammar

B. CONJUNCTIONS - SUMMARY AND REVIEW

I

Conjunctions were discussed in Unit 10 where we noted that German has two types - co-ordinating and subordinating conjunctions.

B. CONJUNCTIONS - SUMMARY AND REVIEW

I.1

Co-ordinating conjunctions join two or more words, phrases or sentences. These are the ones we have had:

aber   oder   sondern   und

We have also referred to co-ordinating conjunctions as sentence connectors. Remember that when they join sentences together word order is not affected. They are followed by normal word order.

Es war nicht nur der Film zu entwickeln, sondern meine Vergrösserungen müssten auch fertig sein.

B. CONJUNCTIONS - SUMMARY AND REVIEW

I.2

Subordinating conjunctions introduce a subordinate or dependent clause, a part of the sentence which could not stand by itself. Here are all the subordinating conjunctions we have encountered to this point:

als   ehe; bevor   nachdem; bis   ob; da   seitdem; dass   wenn

We have referred to these words as clause introducers. Remember that, as such, they are always followed by clause word order.

Wenn wir an einer Eisenwarenhandlung vorbeikommen, wollte ich mir Hammer und Zange und einen Schraubenzieher kaufen.

In addition to the subordinating conjunctions, clause introducers also include the relative pronouns and the question words.

C. INFINITIVES - SUMMARY AND REVIEW

I

(zu) kaufen
(to) buy

gekauft (zu) haben
(to) have bought

gekauft (zu) werden
(to) be bought

(zu) gehen
(to) go

gegangen (zu) sein
(to) have gone

The form of the infinitive was first noted in Unit 2, and subsequent discussion has referred only to the basic, simple infinitive form, also called the present infinitive. Both the perfect phrase and the passive phrase have infinitive forms, however, which can be referred to as perfect infinitives and passive infinitives. They consist of a past participle plus the infinitive form of the auxiliaries haben, sein or werden. Here is a summary of infinitive forms:

Present infinitive: (zu) kaufen; Perfect infinitive: gekauft (zu) haben; Passive infinitive: gekauft (zu) werden. Present infinitive: (zu) gehen; Perfect infinitive: gegangen (zu) sein.

C. INFINITIVES - SUMMARY AND REVIEW

II

Infinitives occur with zu in infinitive phrases, and without zu in certain verb phrases.

C. INFINITIVES - SUMMARY AND REVIEW

II.1

Infinitive phrases with zu are introduced by prepositions, such as ohne and um:

Ich gehe nicht gern fort, ohne etwas gegessen zu haben.

They also occur after a great number of verbs in German.

Ich habe dagegen nichts einzuwenden.

Wir brauchen bloss über die Strasse zu gehen.

Some of the most common verbs we have encountered, which may be followed by infinitive phrases, are:

anfangen   bitten   helfen   vergessen; beabsichtigen   brauchen   hoffen   versuchen; beginnen   haben   sein   vorhaben

C. INFINITIVES - SUMMARY AND REVIEW

II.2

Die Ruine soll als Mahnmal stehen bleiben.
The ruins are to be left standing ('remain standing') as a solemn reminder.

Das Auto blieb an der Ecke stehen.
The car stopped ('remained standing') at the corner.

Ich höre ihn im Badezimmer singen.
I hear him singing in the bathroom.

Wir lernten Herrn und Frau Schulze in Deutschland kennen.
We met ('learned to know') Mr. and Mrs. Schulze in Germany.

Sehen Sie den Handwerker dort vor dem Haus stehen?
Do you see the workman standing in front of the house there?

Infinitives without zu occur in verb phrases with the auxiliary verbs dürfen, können, möchte(n), müssen, sollen, wollen, werden and lassen.

Der Buchhändler wird Sie gern beraten.

Ich habe mir überlegt, welches Wörterbuch ich kaufen sollte.

Wir können uns verschiedene Apparate vorführen lassen.

They may also occur in phrases with the verbs bleiben, hören, lernen and sehen.

You will note that this use of the infinitive in German often corresponds to the use of a verb form in -ing in English.

C. INFINITIVES - SUMMARY AND REVIEW

II.3

Ich muss einen Film entwickeln lassen.
I have to get a film developed.

Kann ich meinen Wagen hinter dem Haus hier stehen lassen?
Can I leave my car (standing) behind the house here?

Lass' das Bild an der Wand (hängen).
Leave the picture (hanging) on the wall.

Er lässt seine Bücher immer auf dem Tisch (liegen).
He always leaves his books (lying) on the table.

Er hat seine Bücher auf dem Tisch liegen lassen.
He left his books lying on the table.

Er hat seine Bücher auf dem Tisch gelassen.
He left his books on the table.

The verb lassen occurs with two different meanings in phrases with an infinitive.

The first example shows the use of lassen in a causative sense, meaning, that is, to have or get something done or to get or cause someone to do something. The infinitive with lassen in this construction is often equivalent to a past participle in English. The meaning of lassen in the second example is simply leave. Here the infinitive with lassen corresponds to an English verb form in -ing. Note too that in both languages this form may be omitted. Lassen is then the complete verb, not an auxiliary.

but

Infinitives - summary and review, 2 of 2

The infinitive as a das-noun

An infinitive can be used as a das-noun. It often follows a preposition.

English often uses a form in -ing. Sie ist beim Essen: she's eating. Mit dem Entwickeln des Filmes hatte ich kein Glück: I had no luck in developing the film.

Sometimes English uses an infinitive or a clause. Zum Reparieren des Wasserhahns is to fix the water faucet. Beim Lesen is while I'm reading.

129
I've just come from a swim ('from swimming').
130
I don't wish to be disturbed while I'm reading.
131
She's (in the process of) eating.
132
Do you have the right tools there to fix the water faucet?
133
I had no luck in developing the film.
134
After getting my ticket I took my suitcase to the baggage room.
135
While we (they, etc.) were unpacking the bellhop brought a letter.
136
As a result of all the washing the shirts wore out.

FSI German Basic Course (1961), Unit 17, Notes on Grammar

C. INFINITIVES - SUMMARY AND REVIEW

III

Ich komme gerade vom Schwimmen.
I've just come from a swim ('from swimming').

Ich möchte beim Lesen nicht gestört werden.
I don't wish to be disturbed while I'm reading.

Sie ist beim Essen.
She's (in the process of) eating.

Hast du zum Reparieren des Wasserhahns das richtige Werkzeug da?
Do you have the right tools there to fix the water faucet?

Mit dem Entwickeln des Filmes hatte ich kein Glück.
I had no luck in developing the film.

Nach dem Lösen der Fahrkarte brachte ich meinen Koffer zur Gepäckaufgabe.
After getting my ticket I took my suitcase to the baggage room.

Während des Auspackens brachte der Page einen Brief.
While we (they, etc.) were unpacking the bellhop brought a letter.

Durch das viele Waschen gingen die Hemden kaputt.
As a result of all the washing the shirts wore out.

In Unit 11 we pointed out how the infinitive may be used as a das-noun in German, often equivalent to an English verb or noun form in -ing. The infinitive as a das-noun occurs frequently after prepositions.

The use of the infinitive as a noun in this construction in German is equivalent sometimes to an English verb or noun form in -ing, sometimes to a different noun, sometimes to an infinitive and sometimes to a clause in English. Note the following examples:

Substitution Drill

137
I was at Lake Constance.
138
We were at the station.
139
He was at the hairdresser's.

140
He was at the hairdresser's.
141
Were you at the restaurant?
142
Were you at the North Sea?

143
Were you at the North Sea?

144
Were you at the North Sea?
145
He went to the watchmaker's.

146
He went to the watchmaker's.
147
We went to the Baltic.

148
We went to the Baltic.
149
I met him on the Kurfürstendamm.
150
I met him at the post office.
151
I met him at the dentist's.

152
I met him at the dentist's.
153
I met him at the bookstore.
154
I met him on the island.

155
I met him on the island.

156
I met him on the island.
157
I'm going to the post office now.
158
I'm going to the pharmacy now.

159
I'm going to the pharmacy now.
160
I'm going to the employment office now.

161
I'm going to the employment office now.
162
I'm going to the hairdresser's now.

163
I'm going to the hairdresser's now.

164
Do you feel like taking a walk with me now down where the stores are?
165
He's just coming out of the store.

166
He's just coming out of the store.
167
I can get a color film at the same time, too.
168
We can have various cameras demonstrated to us.
169
I have the prints with me.

170
I have the prints with me.
171
I have no objection to your proposal.
172
I've had two negatives with me for several days.
173
He asked me for a new catalogue.

174
He asked me for a new catalogue.
175
I stood in front of this big show window the other day already.
176
Can you repair the radio?

177
I'm not leaving without having eaten something.
178
It's good to have the most necessary tools in the house.

Variation Drill

179
On Thursday it's most convenient for me.
180
You have to pay the rent before the third of each month.
181
We're driving down town at five o'clock.

182
Up to last year we always went to the seashore in the summer.
183
The appliance man has just been called.
184
The book can be picked up by your son at the bookstore now.
185
Getting the film developed wasn't the only thing, my enlargements ought to be ready too.

186
Getting the film developed wasn't the only thing, my enlargements ought to be ready too.
187
If you have any questions don't hesitate to go to the dealer.
188
Up to now when something in the house went on the blink I always called a workman.
189
When the faucet was dripping I couldn't get a plumber for days.

190
When the faucet was dripping I couldn't get a plumber for days.
191
Do you know when we're supposed to come to the conference?
192
We can stay down town until the stores close.
193
He studied at [the University of] Göttingen until his parents moved to Munich.

194
We just need to go across the street.
195
We went into the camera shop to look at cameras.
196
I don't like to go out without having eaten something.
197
I'm not going out without having eaten something. I'm not going out until I've eaten something.

198
I'm not going out without having eaten something. I'm not going out until I've eaten something.
199
I've just come from a swim ('from swimming').
200
Up to now I've had no time for translating the article.

201
Up to now I've had no time for translating the article.
202
I have to get a film developed.
203
Where do you get your hair cut?
204
I'm having the enlargements done later.
205
Can I leave my car (standing) behind the house?

206
Can I leave my car (standing) behind the house?
207
Don't you hear him singing?
208
She saw him run to the news stand.
209
I just remember, my enlargements ought to be ready.

210
I just remember, my enlargements ought to be ready.

Vocabulary Drill

211
I left the car at home today.
212
Are you leaving your wife and the two children in America?
213
I'll leave the report with you.
214
Where did you (fam sg) leave the car (standing)?
215
Where did you (fam sg) leave the car?
216
Did you (fam pl) leave the coats in the hotel?
217
We left the coats (hanging) in the hotel.
218
Nobody has seen him today.
219
Auf der Gesellschaft sah ich niemand(en), den ich kannte.
At the party I didn't see anybody I knew.

220
No one could give me information about the most recent results of the negotiations.
221
Er sprach mit niemand(em) über seine Aufträge.
He didn't talk to anyone about his obligations.
222
Er kennt niemand(en) im Ministerium.
He doesn't know anybody at the Ministry.
223
Diese Auskunft werden Sie von niemand(em) bekommen.
You won't get this information from anyone.
224
He's not coming today but tomorrow.
225
I don't have just one question; I have a lot of questions!
226
He didn't go by car but by train.
227
My wife didn't sell the television set; rather she took it up to the attic.
228
Can I leave my car here meanwhile ('during this time')?

229
During the industrial exposition it's difficult to get a room.
230
I saw him frequently during the meeting.
231
We were in the White Stag Inn during the thunderstorm.
232
The weather was very nice during our leave.
233
He reflected for a long time before he advised him.
234
I want to think over the purchase for a while yet.
235
He considered whether (he was) to order a dictionary.
236
The gentlemen considered whether (they were) to put off the conference.
237
Have you already considered which set you want to buy?

238
He's just considering which tour ('the tour') he wants to take.
239
I had no idea how much television sets are nowadays.
240
Do you have any idea how long the conference will last?
241
I didn't know anything about this order.
242
We had no idea that it was ('is') so late already.
243
I have no idea whether the conference has been put off [or not].
244
We don't need to go down town today on my account.
245
As far as I'm concerned you (fam sg) can just as well have the prints made next week.
246
Are we only having sausage and sauerkraut because of me?

247
He's certainly not coming to Germany to see me.
248
I'd like to have some television sets demonstrated to me.
249
He demonstrated the new tape recorders to me.
250
The salesman demonstrated several record players to us.
251
In a few days they'll be demonstrating the new sets at the industrial exposition.
252
My wife is just (in the process of) cleaning up.
253
In unpacking the crate I found out that a lot of dishes had gotten broken.
254
In reserving the room Mr. Schmidt had forgotten to say how long he wanted to stay.
255
While [he was] filling out the registration blank his pen went on the blink.

256
What did the garage find out?
257
Can you determine whether it's still worth repairing this tape recorder?
258
How can one ascertain the quality of the cloth?
259
When I was sitting in the train I found that I had left my briefcase at the office.
260
Professor Albers kept us waiting (a long time) again.
261
Nowadays the workmen often keep you waiting for days.
262
Mr. Wegner's order kept us waiting for quite a while this time.
263
I don't like to keep people waiting.
264
The waiter is taking his time about it.

265
The conference lasted for four hours and a half.
266
Will the conference take long?
267
The war lasted six years.
268
How long will your errands down town take? (fam sg)
269
It was several days until we heard from him.
270
How long will (the) developing (of) the films take?
271
He's been sitting in the snack bar for a while now.
272
It took a while ('until') the workmen came.
273
You'll still have to wait a while until the train comes in.

274
She stayed at her desk writing ('and wrote') for quite a while before she went out.
275
The negotiations on the formation of the combine took several months.
276
May I take a moment of your time? ('May I take up your time for a moment?')
277
The appliance man didn't take much time for the job. ('The work of the appliance man took but little time.')
278
I won't take much of your time.
279
Developing the film won't take much time.
280
Any appliance man can fix this appliance for you.
281
In this radio store you can buy not only radios but numerous other appliances as well.
282
This set doesn't have a very good tone.

283
Hammer, pliers and screwdriver are tools you can buy at a hardware store.
284
You can't have this set repaired any more.
285
The plumber forgot his tools.
286
He still can't get used to the climate in Germany.
287
We couldn't get used to it.
288
She can't get used to (the) French cigarettes.
289
France, Germany, Italy and Austria border on Switzerland.
290
Switzerland borders on Germany, France, Italy and Austria.
291
Denmark borders on the North Sea and the Baltic.

292
If we come by Müller's Bookstore I'd like to make a quick purchase of a dictionary.
293
When I was driving through Southern Germany I passed (by) many old churches.
294
When you drive from the Brandenburg Gate to the Congress Hall you'll pass the Reichstag building.
295
He wrote a letter to the Ministry of Economic Affairs.
296
Has she written the letter to the plant manager yet?
297
We're just writing a picture postcard to our parents.
298
Will you write to me sometime?
299
I went to the union secretary for help.
300
May I come to you for assistance?

301
He went to the architect to get information about the new construction projects.
302
I don't know who to turn to.
303
I would like some information about cartel questions: whom can I go to at the Ministry of Economic Affairs?
304
It depends on the weather whether we go [or not].
305
Yes, that's the important thing!
306
The important thing for me was to get some really fresh oysters.
307
The important thing is to reach him at his office still.
308
It depends on what the plant manager will say to that.
309
From this window you look directly toward the Alps.

310
What are you casting your glances at?
311
Drive slower, Klaus, the policeman is looking our way!
312
I'm looking forward to the Alps already.
313
Are you (fam sg) looking forward to your leave?
314
He's looking forward to his mother's visit.
315
I've been waiting for you for twenty minutes already.
316
She's waiting for the train.
317
Waiter! We've been waiting for the oysters for half an hour now.
318
I've waited for a long time for an opportunity to talk to you.

319
The historical significance of the Teutoburger Wald goes back to the battle in 9 A.D.
320
The name "Kurfürstendamm" has its origin in the elector who rode to [see] his ladylove there several hundred years ago.
321
Dass es auf Helgoland zollfreie Spirituosen gibt, geht auf Verhandlungen zwischen Deutschland und Grossbritannien im Jahre 1890 zurück.
[The fact] that there are duty-free alcoholic beverages in Helgoland can be traced back to negotiations between Germany and Great Britain in 1890.
322
Der Name "Zoologischer Garten" geht auf das Jahr 1829 zurück, als der Londoner Tiergarten diesen Namen bekam.
The name "Zoological Gardens" goes back to the year 1829 when the London Zoo received this name.
323
I've just come from the Black Forest.
324
Mr. Alexander comes from Munich.
325
Frau von Räderloh has just come from Switzerland.
326
What objections does Mr. Zacharias have to this picture?
327
Will you have any objections to the project?

328
Did he have any objection to your suggestion?
329
In general no objection can be made to this explanation.
330
I have no objections to the purchase of the duty-free alcoholic beverages.
331
We took a steamer to Helgoland.
332
He doesn't want to take his car today.
333
She went to the Weserbergland by train.
334
I'm counting on your visit.
335
The foreman ('plant manager') had not reckoned with it.
336
You (fam sg) will have to reckon with the children's big appetite.

337
She just talked to the waiter.
338
Please talk to my father.
339
Professor Massenhausen is talking to Frau von Jemgung.
340
Mr. Marxgrün rang for the maid.
341
The desk clerk rang for the bellhop.
342
"Who rang for me?" asked the maid.
343
The elector yearned for his ladylove.
344
She did not yearn for him.
345
She longs for her old home.

346
The new secretary is asking for leave again already.
347
I beg your pardon.
348
May I ask for another cup of coffee?
349
Dieter asked his father for money for the school outing.
350
What's the matter?
351
As always at our house the trouble is money.
352
The novel was about the elector's ladylove.
353
Mind your own business. ('Take care of your own affairs.')
354
He took care of everything.

355
Who's taking care of the children?
356
Whether we can have ('make') the outing or not, depends on the weather.
357
Usually everything depends on the money.
358
The price of an appliance doesn't necessarily depend on the quality.
359
What do you think of this 35 millimeter camera?
360
I don't think these suggestions are worth anything.
361
Do you think it's any good?
362
I don't think much of this dictionary.
363
I don't know what to think of it.

364
I have just enough time for an outing to Helgoland.
365
This material is not enough for a suit.
366
We don't have enough money for this set.
367
The new desk goes well with your furnishings.
368
The style and finish of this television set doesn't match our furniture.
369
The yellow (soft collar) shirt doesn't go with this pullover.

Translation Drill 1

370
Mr. Alexander had to do some shopping and asked Mr. Wegner to take a walk with him down where the stores are.
371
Mr. Wegner however had some objections to that.
372
He had just come from a swim and didn't want to go out without having eaten something.
373
Wegner suggested ('made the suggestion of') going to the snack bar on the other side of the street.
374
Alexander was able to leave his car behind Wegner's house.
375
There was no problem about that, as it's always possible to park there.
376
After eating the gentlemen went first to a camera store to get a film developed.
377
Alexander had two negatives with him he wanted to have prints made from for his mother's birthday.
378
Wegner remembered that he wanted not only to get the film developed but also to pick up some enlargements.
379
Alexander was supposed to get a 35 mm camera catalogue for a friend.
380
At the same time also he bought two black and white films and a color film.
381
After they had taken care of their errands at the camera shop they went to a bookstore.
382
The bookseller advised Alexander [as to] which dictionary he ought to buy.

Translation Drill 2

383
After that they went to a shop near the bookstore to get a demonstration on television sets.
384
Alexander didn't know how much television sets in Germany cost.
385
Wegner hat ein Tischgerät mit einem 43 cm Bildschirm, für das er 695 Mark bezahlt hatte.
Wegner has a table model with a 17" screen for which he had paid 695 marks.
386
Alexander bought a television set with [a] built-in radio, record player and tape recorder.
387
Alexander in addition had to go to a hardware store, because he wanted to buy a hammer, a pair of pliers and a screwdriver.
388
Since workmen nowadays keep you waiting a long time he wants to make small repairs himself.
389
In order to be able to fix the faucet it was necessary for him to buy a monkey wrench in addition.
390
The errands took such a long time that they stayed down town until the stores closed.

Response Drill 1

391
Why did Herr Alexander go to see Herrn Wegner?
392
He wanted to ask him to walk through the shopping streets with him.
393
Why didn't Mr. Wegner feel like going along with him right away?
394
He had come back from swimming and did not want to leave without having eaten something.
395
Where could they eat?
396
At a snack bar on the other side of the street.
397
Where did Mr. Alexander park the car he came in?
398
He could leave it there behind the house.
399
What were the gentlemen planning to do?
400
They planned to go first to a camera shop because Mr. Wegner wanted to have a roll of film developed.
401
And what did Mr. Alexander have to take care of there?
402
For several days he had been carrying two negatives from which he wanted to have prints made for his mother's birthday.
403
What occurred to Herrn Wegner when he was in the camera shop?
404
He remembered that he not only had to drop off the film for developing, but that his enlargements should be ready too.
405
What did Mr. Alexander's acquaintance ask him to do?
406
He asked him for a catalog of 35 mm cameras.
407
What else had to be taken care of?
408
Alexander also wanted to take the opportunity to buy two rolls of black-and-white film and one roll of color film.
409
Why did one of the gentlemen want to go to the Müller bookstore?
410
Herr Alexander needed a dictionary; he had recently stood in front of the display window wondering which one he should buy.
411
Whom could he turn to with questions?
412
To the bookseller.
413
What did Mr. Alexander want to look at next?
414
He wanted to look at television sets.
415
What kind of appliance did Herr Wegner have, and what was the price?
416
Wegner hatte ein Tischgerät mit einem 43 cm Bildschirm, für das er DM 695.00 bezahlt hatte.
Wegner had a tabletop set with a 43-centimeter screen, for which he had paid DM 695.00.

Response Drill 2

417
And what kind of device particularly interested Mr. Alexander?
418
A combination set with a radio, record player, and tape recorder.
419
What was the salesman supposed to do?
420
He was to demonstrate various sets for them.
421
Why did Mr. Alexander still have to go to a hardware store?
422
He needed a hammer, pliers, and a screwdriver.
423
Who has done repairs in Alexander's house up to now?
424
If something broke, the carpenter or the installer, or the plumber, as the case might be, was called.
425
And what did Mr. Alexander discover in the process?
426
That repairmen keep you waiting a long time.
427
What happened with the repair of the faucet?
428
Mr. Alexander could not get a plumber for days when the faucet in the bathroom was dripping.
429
What other tool was he also supposed to buy?
430
An Englishman.
431
Did Herrn Alexander's errands take much time?
432
Yes, they took a while.
433
How long could the gentlemen stay in town?
434
Until the stores closed.

Narrative

435
The faucet in the Wegners' bathroom was dripping.
436
For days Mrs. Wegner tried to get a plumber.
437
But since tradesmen nowadays keep you waiting a long time, Mr. Wegner finally decided to take matters into his own hands.
438
He bought the necessary tools and took the faucet apart.
439
Now the water was running into the tub faster than it was running out, and Mr. Wegner ran to the plumber as fast as he could.
440
But since not as much time had yet passed as a plumber nowadays keeps you waiting, this plumber kept him waiting too, i.e.,
441
he did not come.
442
Then Mr. Wegner had a brilliant idea.
443
He called the appliance dealer from whom he had bought a washing machine some time before.
444
Like all tradesmen nowadays, the appliance dealer, too, generally keeps you waiting for days.
445
But Mr. Wegner had bought the washing machine on an installment plan, and the first payment was due the next day.
446
He said that the washing machine was not working and that he therefore would not even make the first payment.
447
In such a case, the company sends a repairman immediately.
448
That is called customer service.
449
The customer-service man came immediately.
450
Before he arrived, Mr. Wegner unplugged the washing machine from the outlet.
451
The customer-service man unpacked all his tools.
452
Then he examined the washing machine, plugged it into the outlet, and told Mr. Wegner that the machine was working again.
453
Mr. Wegner gave him a tip and asked him, since he was there anyway, if he would also repair the bathtub faucet while he was at it.
454
The man did so.
455
Two lessons can be drawn from this story: 1.) It is a good thing not to pay cash for a washing machine, but to buy it on installments, because then you can also get a bathtub faucet repaired quickly.
456
2.) Es ist nicht gut, wenn man das nötige Werkzeug im Haus hat, um den Wasserhahn abzumontieren.
2.) It is not a good thing to have the necessary tools in the house for taking the faucet apart.

Situations

457
A. tells B. that he has to go into town.
458
It is his wife's birthday soon and he would like to buy her something nice.
459
B. inquires what he wants to get, and A. says that unfortunately nothing has occurred to him so far.
460
Since B. has nothing special planned just now, he asks A. whether he may go along with him.
461
They want to walk through the business streets and look at the display windows first.
462
Perhaps they will get a good idea then.
463
They stop in front of the display window of a bookstore and B. suggests to A. that he buy a book.
464
But Mrs. A. already has a large library and he would rather get her something else.
465
In the camera catalogue that he received recently he saw a camera that interests him very much.
466
He would like to have it shown to him.
467
B. knows a good store where he also has his film developed.
468
They go there and A. has various cameras shown to him and lets the salesman advise him on his purchase.
469
He takes a German miniature camera for his wife and buys some color and black and white film right away too.

470
X. hears from his wife, when he comes home in the evening, that the faucet in the kitchen is dripping.
471
His wife tried all day to reach the plumber, but had no luck.
472
X. wants to try to repair the faucet.
473
Unfortunately he does not have the right tools for it.
474
He goes to his acquaintance Y., who lives nearby, and asks him whether he can borrow tools from him.
475
He tells him what he needs them for, and Y. says that nowadays you often have to wait a long time for repairmen.
476
It is better if you can repair such things yourself and have the most necessary tools in the house for it.

477
W. wants to buy himself a television set soon and is thinking over what kind of set he should get.
478
His colleague X., with whom he is talking about it, gives him the address of a good store.
479
W. asks his colleague to go along with him, because he does not know the city yet.
480
X. drives into town in his car.
481
Behind the store they want to go into there is a big parking lot.
482
The salesman knows Mr. X. and greets the gentlemen.
483
They have various sets demonstrated for them and ask how expensive they are.
484
The table model, with a 43 cm screen, is the cheapest.
485
What Mr. W. likes best, though, is the combination with radio, record player and tape recorder, but he cannot afford such an expensive set at the moment.
486
He has the salesman advise him and give him a catalogue.