Breakdown of Bitte den Türbereich freihalten!
bitte
please
der Türbereich
the door area
freihalten
to keep clear
Questions & Answers about Bitte den Türbereich freihalten!
Why is the verb freihalten in the infinitive instead of a normal command form like halten Sie frei?
This is an impersonal command using the infinitive. It is commonly used on signs, in manuals, or for public announcements where the instruction applies to everyone in general, rather than a specific person. It is shorter and more direct than saying Halten Sie bitte den Türbereich frei!
Why is den Türbereich in the accusative case when there is no subject in the sentence?
Even without a stated subject doing the action, the verb freihalten still requires a direct object. The door area is the thing being kept clear, so the masculine noun der Türbereich changes to the accusative den Türbereich.
freihalten is a separable verb. Why isn't the prefix frei- separated here?
Separable verbs only split when they are conjugated and acting as the main verb of a standard clause or a regular imperative. Because this impersonal command uses the pure infinitive form, the prefix stays attached.
What is the difference between using freihalten and freimachen in this context?
freihalten means to keep something clear (preventing it from being blocked in the first place). freimachen means to clear something (making people move out of an already blocked area). On public transport signs, freihalten is standard because the goal is to prevent blocking entirely.
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