Ich probiere den Kaffee aus.

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Breakdown of Ich probiere den Kaffee aus.

• der Kaffee: the coffee
• ausprobieren: to try out

Questions & Answers about Ich probiere den Kaffee aus.

Why is the separable prefix aus placed at the end of the sentence instead of being attached to probiere?

German features many separable prefix verbs. In main clauses in the present tense, the prefix detaches from the verb and is positioned at the end of the sentence. This explains why we say Ich probiere den Kaffee aus with aus at the end, rather than keeping it attached to probiere.

What is the difference between probieren and ausprobieren, and why is the prefix added in this sentence?

Both verbs involve trying something, but ausprobieren emphasizes trying out or testing something thoroughly. Probieren can simply mean “to try” or “taste.” The addition of the prefix aus adds the nuance of evaluating or experimenting with the item—in this case, the coffee.

Why is the article den used before Kaffee in this sentence?

Kaffee is a masculine noun in German. When functioning as the direct object of a sentence, it takes the accusative case. In the accusative, the masculine definite article changes from der to den, hence den Kaffee.

How would this sentence change if it were part of a subordinate clause?

In subordinate clauses, the conjugated verb is typically placed at the end, and separable prefixes remain attached to the verb. For example, the sentence would transform into: weil ich den Kaffee ausprobiere—here, ausprobiere stays together at the end of the subordinate clause.

How are separable prefix verbs like ausprobieren conjugated in the perfect tense?

In the perfect tense, the past participle form of the verb is used, and separable prefixes remain attached. For ausprobieren, the past participle is ausprobiert. Thus, the perfect tense version of the sentence becomes: Ich habe den Kaffee ausprobiert—notice that the prefix does not separate in the past participle form.