Before you start
Meet fortsetzen
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
Build the meaning
fort- + setzen
- fort-
- onward or further
- setzen
- to set or put
To set something further along is to carry it onward.
So fortsetzen means to continue; to resume.
A memory aid, not a rule: prefixes change meaning from verb to verb.
Learning approach inspired by this explanation in r/German.
Verb family
More verbs built on setzen
Same base verb, a different prefix, a new meaning.
- einsetzento put in, insert
- durchsetzento carry through, enforce
- umsetzento move, to put into practice
- voraussetzenpresuppose, take for granted
- ansetzento position, estimate, fix
- aussetzento abandon
- zusammensetzento put together
- absetzento take off, dismiss
Separable verb: fort·setzen
In a main clause the prefix fort splits off and goes to the end. After weil, dass and other subordinating words, the verb stays in one piece at the end.
Main clauseEr setzt den Film heute Abend fort.He continues the film this evening.
Subordinate clauseIch bin froh, dass ihr die Reise fortsetzt.I’m glad that you are continuing the trip.
Participle: fortgesetztzu-infinitive: fortzusetzen
Forms
How fortsetzen changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | setze fort | setzte fort |
| du | setzt fort | setztest fort |
| er/sie/es | setzt fort | setzte fort |
| wir | setzen fort | setzten fort |
| ihr | setzt fort | setztet fort |
| Sie | setzen fort | setzten fort |
Partizip II fortgesetzt · Perfekt with haben
Three examples
- 1Ich setze die Arbeit morgen fort.I will continue the work tomorrow.prefix goes to the end
- 2Wir haben das Spiel nach dem Essen fortgesetzt.We continued the game after eating.Perfekt with haben
- 3Sie bleibt ruhig, obwohl sie fortsetzen muss.She stays calm although she has to continue.modal verb with infinitive
Task 1 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
fortsetzen + das Buch
Your challenge
- 1Use fortsetzen in the present tense.
- 2Use das Buch as the object.
Task 2 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
I continued it after lunchdas Mittagessen.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 3 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
When the busder Bus, die Busse stopped, we continued our tripdie Reise, die Reisen.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 4 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
She continued the lessonder Unterricht because the childrendas Kind, die Kinder were quietruhig.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 5 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
We continued the gamedas Spiel, die Spiele that our friendsder Freund, die Freunde had startedbeginnen.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 6 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
He wants to continue his workdie Arbeit tomorrow.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 7 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
They continued the gamedas Spiel, die Spiele to have funder Spaß.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 8 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
Did you continue it after the breakdie Pause, die Pausen?
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 9 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
fortsetzen + die Arbeit + weil
Your challenge
- 1Use die Arbeit as the object.
- 2Add a weil-clause explaining why.
- 3Put the finite verb at the end of that clause.
Task 10 of 10 · Free writing
Answer in one full German sentence:
When do you usually continue your work after a break?
Your challenge
- 1Answer in one German sentence using fortsetzen.
- 2Include a time expression.