Before you start
Meet vorgeben
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
Build the meaning
vor- + geben
- vor-
- forward or in advance
- geben
- to give
You give something forward as your stated version, or give instructions in advance.
So vorgeben means to pretend or claim; to specify in advance.
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 geben
Same base verb, a different prefix, a new meaning.
Separable verb: vor·geben
In a main clause the prefix vor splits off and goes to the end. After weil, dass and other subordinating words, the verb stays in one piece at the end.
Main clauseDie Schule gibt den Plan vor.The school sets the plan in advance.
Subordinate clauseEr sagt, dass die Firma den Preis vorgibt.He says that the company sets the price.
Participle: vorgegebenzu-infinitive: vorzugeben
Forms
How vorgeben changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | gebe vor | gab vor |
| du | gibst vor | gabst vor |
| er/sie/es | gibt vor | gab vor |
| wir | geben vor | gaben vor |
| ihr | gebt vor | gabt vor |
| Sie | geben vor | gaben vor |
Partizip II vorgegeben · Perfekt with haben
Three examples
- 1Er gibt vor, krank zu sein.He pretends to be ill.present tense, main clause
- 2Sie haben den Termin vorgegeben.They set the appointment in advance.Perfekt with haben
- 3Ich glaube, dass er vorgibt, krank zu sein.I believe that he pretends to be ill.verb at the end after dass
Task 1 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
vorgeben + der Regen
Your challenge
- 1Use the present tense.
- 2Use der Regen as the reason he gives.
Task 2 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
She used it as an excusedie Ausrede.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 3 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
When his motherdie Mutter calledanrufen, he pretended to be asleepschlafen.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 4 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
He pretended to be sickkrank because he wanted to staybleiben homezu Hause.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 5 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
The ruledie Regel that the teacherder Lehrer sets in advanceim Voraus is simpleeinfach.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 6 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
You must not pretend to knowkennen the answerdie Antwort.
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Task 7 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
He pretended to have forgottenvergessen his keyder Schlüssel.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 8 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
What rulesdie Regel, die Regeln has the bossder Chef set in advanceim Voraus?
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:
vorgeben + dass + müde
Your challenge
- 1Use the present tense.
- 2Add a dass-clause saying she is tired.
Task 10 of 10 · Free writing
Answer in one full German sentence:
What have you ever pretended? Answer in one German sentence using the verb.
Your challenge
- 1Answer with one sentence using vor·geben.
- 2Use the Perfekt.
- 3Say what you pretended, using a zu-infinitive.