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WORD GRAMMAR
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Verb
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Verb
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SENTENCE GRAMMAR
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Reflexive verbs
CA119
Reflexive verbs are verbs that are linked to a reflexive pronoun. The reflexive pronoun refers to the subject, is identical to it and is either in the accusative or in the dative case.
Reflexive verbs are divided into two categories:
1. Verbs that have only reflexive function. This category contains verbs that are always linked to the reflexive pronoun, which is regarded as part of the predicate.
Examples |
sich erholen |
sich erkälten |
sich irren |
sich schämen |
sich weigern |
sich etwas aneignen |
With these verbs:
the reflexive pronoun cannot be substituted by another pronoun or a noun | |
Ich erhole dich / meine Schwester |
FALSE
|
a question regarding the reflexive pronoun cannot be formed | |
Wen / was erholst du? |
FALSE
|
the reflexive pronoun cannot be preceded by negation | |
Ich erlole nicht mich |
FALSE
|
CA119A
2. Verbs that can have a reflexive function. This category includes verbs that do not function exclusively as reflexive.
This category is further divided in the following two subcategories
2a. Verbs to which the reflexive function causes a small or a big change in meaning and (often) in valency.
Examples | |||
not reflexive | reflexive function causes change in meaning | change in valency | |
ärgern A | sich ärgern über A | yes | A --- über A |
verlassen A | sich verlassen auf A | yes | A --- auf A |
fragen A | sich fragen | no | A --- (A) |
aufhalten A | sich aufhalten | no | A --- (A) |
unterhalten A | sich unterhalten mit D | yes | A --- mit D |
treffen A | sich treffen mit D | yes | A --- mit D |
With verbs belonging to this subcategory (as well as those belonging to the category "verbs that have only reflexive function")
the reflexive pronoun cannot be replaced by another pronoun or noun | |
Ich ärgere dich / meine Schwester über etwas |
FALSE
|
a question regarding the reflexive pronoun cannot be formed | |
Wen ärgerst du über etwas? |
FALSE
|
the reflexive pronoun cannot be preceded by negation | |
Ich ärgere nicht mich über etwas |
FALSE
|
CA119B
2b. Verbs with which the use of a reflexive pronoun results from the identity of the subject and the object. The verb retains its meaning.
Examples | |
not reflexive | reflexive pronoun as a formal object |
waschen A | sich waschen |
kämmen A | sich kämmen |
schminken A | sich schminken |
wiegen A | sich wiegen |
anziehen A | sich anziehen |
schaden D | sich schaden |
For verbs that belong to this group
the reflexive pronoun can be replaced by another pronoun or noun | |
Ich wasche dich / meine Schwester |
RIGHT
|
a question regarding the reflexive pronoun can be formed | |
Wen / was wäschst du? |
RIGHT
|
the reflexive pronoun can be preceded by negation | |
Ich wasche nicht mich / meine Schwester |
RIGHT
|
For further emphasis, words "selbst" or "selber" are used.
Example |
Ich wasche mich (selbst / selber) |