Separable-Prefix Verbs

You’ll be able to

Recognize separable-prefix verbs and predict where the prefix goes in a main clause
Distinguish separable prefixes from inseparable ones
Use technology-related separable verbs correctly in the present tense

Verbs that split apart

Many German verbs are built from a base verb plus a prefix, and with separable verbs the prefix detaches in a main clause and jumps to the end. Take ansehen (“to look at, to view”): Ich sehe mir das Video an (“I watch the video”). The conjugated base sehe stays in second position, while the prefix an flies to the end — recreating the sentence bracket you met with modals. Common separable prefixes include an-, auf-, aus-, ein-, mit-, vor-, zu-, ab-, nach-. Useful tech examples: anschalten (“to switch on”), herunterladen (“to download”), ausschalten** (“to switch off”).

Separable vs. inseparable prefixes

A smaller set of prefixes are inseparable — they never detach and never carry stress: be-, emp-, ent-, er-, ge-, ver-, zer-. So verstehen (“to understand”) keeps its prefix: Ich verstehe die Technik (“I understand the technology”). The rule of thumb: separable prefixes are stressed in speech (ÁNsehen), inseparable ones are not (verSTEHen). This stress difference also predicts the past participle: separable angesehen puts ge- in the middle, while inseparable verstanden takes no ge- at all.

Where the prefix goes

The prefix’s position depends on the clause. In a main clause, it separates and goes to the end: Der Computer schaltet sich automatisch aus (“The computer switches itself off automatically”). But if the verb is an infinitive (after a modal) or in a subordinate clause, it stays joined*: Ich will das Programm herunterladen (“I want to download the program”) and …, weil ich die App herunterlade* (“…because I download the app”). So a separable verb is only actually split when it is the conjugated verb of a main clause.

Worked example

Put the separable verb “fernsehen” (“to watch TV”) into a present-tense main clause meaning “In the evening I watch TV.” (“in the evening” = am Abend)

1.Identify the parts of the separable verb: prefix “fern” + base verb “sehen.”
2.Decide the first element. To vary style, start with “Am Abend,” so the verb must come second (V2).
3.Place the conjugated base “sehe” in second position after “Am Abend,” and add the subject “ich” right after it (inversion).
4.Send the prefix “fern” to the end of the clause.

Answer: “Am Abend sehe ich fern.” The base verb “sehe” takes second position while the separable prefix “fern” moves to the end of the clause.

Tip

When you meet a new verb, listen for the stress. If the prefix is stressed (ÁNrufen, “to call up”), it separates; if the stem is stressed (verGÉSsen, “to forget”), it does not. This one habit lets you predict both word order and the past participle.

Checkpoint

Which sentence correctly uses the separable verb “anrufen” (“to call [on the phone]”) in a main clause?

Watch out

Do not leave the prefix stranded next to the verb. In a main clause it must travel to the end of the clause, after the objects and adverbs. Ich rufe an meinen Freund is wrong; correct is Ich rufe meinen Freund an**.

Checkpoint

In the sentence “Ich möchte das neue Update installieren und danach den Rechner ausschalten,” why do the prefixes stay attached to “installieren” and “ausschalten”?

Answer the 2 checkpoints as you read.