Chapter 21: Modal Prepositions / The Verb "werden"
Introduction
In German, modal prepositions and the verb „werden“ are fundamental for expressing nuanced relationships, intentions, future actions, and passive voice. Modal prepositions give specific meanings regarding cause, manner, or relation, often governing particular cases. The verb werden serves multiple essential functions: forming the future tense, constructing the passive voice, and expressing change or becoming.
Understanding these concepts is crucial for forming accurate and meaningful sentences in German, especially beyond basic levels. This chapter explains modal prepositions in depth, their grammar rules, and the versatile usage of werden in everyday language.
Vocabulary
Modal Prepositions
| German | English | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| trotz | despite, in spite of | Trotz des Regens gehen wir spazieren. (Despite the rain, we go for a walk.) |
| wegen | because of, due to | Wegen des Staus komme ich zu spät. (Because of the traffic jam, I am late.) |
| anstatt | instead of | Anstatt eines Kuchens backe ich einen Apfelstrudel. (Instead of a cake, I bake an apple strudel.) |
| außerhalb | outside of | Außerhalb der Stadt ist es ruhiger. (Outside the city, it is quieter.) |
| innerhalb | inside of, within | Innerhalb einer Woche musst du antworten. (You must respond within a week.) |
| laut | according to | Laut dem Bericht gibt es Fortschritte. (According to the report, there are progress.) |
The Verb werden
| German Form | English Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| werden (infinitive) | to become; will (future); to get (passive) | Ich werde müde. (I am becoming tired.) |
| wird (3rd singular) | is becoming; will (future) | Er wird Arzt. (He is becoming a doctor.) |
| wurde (simple past) | became; was getting | Sie wurde gestern krank. (She became sick yesterday.) |
| geworden (past participle) | become | Er ist Lehrer geworden. (He has become a teacher.) |
Theory & Grammar
Modal Prepositions
Modal prepositions always govern the Genitive case in standard German grammar, although in spoken language sometimes the Dative is used colloquially (especially with wegen).
Key points:
-
Modal prepositions express cause, concession, manner, or place relations.
-
They require Genitive objects:
Preposition Case required Example trotz Genitive Trotz des Wetters (Despite the weather) wegen Genitive Wegen des Unfalls (Because of the accident) anstatt Genitive Anstatt des Buches (Instead of the book) außerhalb Genitive Außerhalb der Stadt (Outside the city) innerhalb Genitive Innerhalb der Woche (Within the week) laut Genitive Laut des Berichts (According to the report)
The Verb werden
The verb werden is irregular and extremely important in German for three main uses:
-
Future tense formation
- werden + infinitive forms the future tense.
- Example: Ich werde morgen arbeiten. (I will work tomorrow.)
-
Passive voice formation
- werden + past participle forms the passive voice.
- Example: Das Haus wird gebaut. (The house is being built.)
-
Expressing change or becoming
- Used to show transformation or state changes.
- Example: Er wird groß. (He is becoming tall.)
Conjugation of werden (present tense):
| Person | Conjugation |
|---|---|
| ich | werde |
| du | wirst |
| er/sie/es | wird |
| wir | werden |
| ihr | werdet |
| sie/Sie | werden |
Important: werden in the past tense (Präteritum) is wurde (singular) and wurden (plural).
Usage & Context
Modal Prepositions Usage
- Used mostly in formal writing and speech (newspapers, reports, formal conversations).
- Common in expressions of causality or concession.
- Typically precede noun phrases in Genitive case.
- Example: Trotz des schlechten Wetters gingen sie spazieren. (Despite the bad weather, they went for a walk.)
Verb werden Usage
- Werden helps talk about future plans: Ich werde bald umziehen. (I will move soon.)
- Essential for passive constructions, shifting focus from the doer to the action: Die Aufgabe wird erledigt. (The task is being done.)
- To express processes or changes: Er wird immer besser im Deutsch. (He is getting better at German.)
Practical Examples
Dialogues
Dialogue 1: Modal Prepositions
- A: Warum bist du heute spät?
- B: Wegen des Verkehrs. Trotz der Verspätung habe ich den Bus erwischt.
Dialogue 2: Using werden
- A: Was wirst du morgen machen?
- B: Ich werde ins Kino gehen.
- A: Wirst du auch meine Schwester mitnehmen?
- B: Ja, sie wird auch kommen.
Paragraph Example
In Deutschland wird viel Wert auf Pünktlichkeit gelegt. Trotz des Regens kommen die Menschen rechtzeitig zur Arbeit. Wegen der Baustelle musste der Bus umgeleitet werden. Anstatt direkt zu fahren, fuhren wir eine längere Strecke. Innerhalb kurzer Zeit waren wir jedoch am Ziel.
Exercises
1. Fill in the blanks with correct modal prepositions and cases:
- ___ des schlechten Wetters blieb das Festival geöffnet. (trotz)
- Ich komme nicht zur Party ___ der Arbeit. (wegen)
- ___ des Sees liegt ein schönes Café. (außerhalb)
- Wir bleiben ___ der Stadt. (innerhalb)
2. Translate into German:
- Despite the noise, I slept well.
- The house will be cleaned tomorrow.
- She is becoming more confident.
- Instead of coffee, I drink tea.
3. Sentence Building: Use werden to form future tense sentences.
- Ich / nächste Woche / eine Reise / machen
- Er / Arzt / werden
- Der Brief / geschrieben / werden
Flashcards
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What case do modal prepositions govern? | Genitive case |
| Translate trotz | despite, in spite of |
| Conjugate werden for du (present) | wirst |
| How do you form future tense with werden? | werden + infinitive |
| How do you form passive voice with werden? | werden + past participle |
Workbook (Printable Summary & Practice)
Key Concepts Summary
- Modal prepositions govern Genitive case.
- Werden used for future, passive, and expressing change.
- Conjugation of werden is irregular; memorize forms.
- Modal prepositions are mostly formal and convey cause, concession, or location.
Practice Tasks
- Create 5 sentences using modal prepositions.
- Write 5 sentences about your future plans using werden + infinitive.
- Form 3 passive sentences with werden + past participle.
Multimedia Resources
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YouTube:
-
Podcasts:
- Slow German episode on future tense and modal expressions
- Deutsch – warum nicht? (DW) episodes covering modal prepositions
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Websites:
Speaking Help
- Practice sentences with werden to talk about your future plans. Example: Ich werde morgen Deutsch lernen.
- Use modal prepositions in everyday conversations when explaining reasons or contrasts: Trotz des schlechten Wetters gehe ich joggen.
- Roleplay passive voice usage, e.g., describing processes: Das Essen wird gekocht.
- Record yourself speaking to check pronunciation and fluency.
Cultural Notes (Optional)
- The modal preposition wegen is frequently used in German traffic and weather reports.
- Formal German tends to keep strict Genitive usage, while colloquial sometimes uses Dative (e.g., wegen dem Regen).
- Werden is essential in polite or formal requests when combined with würde (Konjunktiv II): Ich würde gern… (I would like to…).
Review Section
Quiz
- Which case do modal prepositions govern? a) Nominative b) Dative c) Genitive
- How do you say “He will become a doctor” in German?
- Form the passive voice sentence: “The letter is written.”
- Translate: “Despite the rain, we are happy.”
- What is the present tense du form of werden?
Key Takeaways
- Modal prepositions = Genitive case; express cause, concession, or location.
- Werden = future tense, passive voice, and becoming/change.
- Practice conjugations and usage daily for fluency.