Word
Der Enkel besucht die Großeltern oft.
Meaning
The grandson visits the grandparents often.
Part of speech
sentence
Pronunciation
Course
Lesson
Breakdown of Der Enkel besucht die Großeltern oft.
oft
often
besuchen
to visit
die Großeltern
the grandparents (plural only)
der Enkel
the grandson
Questions & Answers about Der Enkel besucht die Großeltern oft.
Why is oft at the very end of the sentence?
In English, we usually put frequency words before the verb. In German, the verb must stay in the second position. Because die Großeltern is a specific direct object using the definite article die, the adverb oft is placed after it, pushing it to the end of the sentence.
What case is die Großeltern in this sentence?
It is in the accusative case because the grandparents are the direct object receiving the action of being visited. For plural nouns, the accusative article is exactly the same as the nominative article: die.
Is besucht a separable verb? Could the be- move to the end of the sentence?
No, verbs starting with the prefix be- are always inseparable. The prefix stays firmly attached to the verb in all tenses and structures, so you will never see be floating alone at the end of a German sentence.
The sentence uses Der Enkel for grandson. How would you change this to say granddaughter?
To make it female, you simply add the ending -in to the noun and change the article to the feminine one, giving you die Enkelin.