Split Verbs

01

Position in Simple Sentences

In the present tense and simple past tense, the prefix separates from the verb. The conjugated verb stem takes the second position in the sentence (the standard position for verbs), while the prefix moves to the very end of the clause. This creates a "sentence bracket" that holds the rest of the information.

• Ich rufe meine Mutter an.

  I am calling my mother.

• Wir gehen heute Abend aus.

  We are going out this evening.

• Er machte das Fenster auf.

  He opened the window.

02

Using with Modal Verbs and Future Tense

If the separable verb is used in combination with a modal verb (like können, müssen, wollen) or in the future tense with werden, the verb does not split. The entire verb remains in its infinitive form (prefix attached) and is placed at the end of the sentence.

• Ich muss meine Mutter anrufen.

  I have to call my mother.

• Wir wollen heute Abend ausgehen.

  We want to go out this evening.

03

The Past Participle (Perfekt)

When forming the perfect tense (spoken past), you need the past participle of the verb. For separable verbs, the prefix remains attached, but the syllable -ge- is inserted between the prefix and the verb stem.

The structure is: Prefix + ge + Verb Stem.

• Ich habe meine Mutter angerufen.

  I have called my mother.

• Wir sind gestern ausgegangen.

  We went out yesterday.

• Er hat das Fenster aufgemacht.

  He has opened the window.

04

Infinitives with "zu"

When using an infinitive clause with zu (to), the zu is also inserted between the prefix and the verb stem. It is written as one single word.

• Es ist Zeit, das Fenster aufzumachen.

  It is time to open the window.

• Er versucht, sie anzurufen.

  He is trying to call her.

05

Subordinate Clauses

In subordinate clauses (sentences starting with words like weil, dass, wenn, or ob), the verb moves to the end of the sentence. Because the verb is at the end, it reconnects with its prefix. The verb is conjugated, but it is written as one word with the prefix.

• Ich bin müde, weil ich zu früh aufstehe.

  I am tired because I get up too early.

• Sie fragt, wann der Zug ankommt.

  She asks when the train arrives.

06

Identifying Separable Prefixes

Not all prefixes are separable. You can identify separable verbs by their pronunciation: the stress is always on the prefix. If the stress is on the verb stem, the prefix is inseparable and stays attached in all situations (and does not take -ge- in the past participle).

Common Separable Prefixes (Stressed)

• ab-, an-, auf-, aus-
• bei-, ein-, los-, mit-
• nach-, vor-, weg-, zu-, zurück-

Common Inseparable Prefixes (Unstressed)

These function like normal verbs and never split.

• be-, emp-, ent-, er-, ge-, miss-, ver-, zer-

• Er verkauft sein Auto.

  He is selling his car. (Inseparable ver-)

• Er kauft im Supermarkt ein.

  He is shopping in the supermarket. (Separable ein-)