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Questions & Answers about Die Fähre legt pünktlich an.
Why does the verb appear as legt … an instead of anlegt?
Because anlegen is a separable-prefix verb. In a main clause the prefix an- detaches and goes to the end of the sentence, leaving legt in the second position.
What exactly does anlegen mean here, and how is it different from ankommen?
In this context, anlegen means “to dock” or “to berth” (i.e. the ferry is mooring at the pier). ankommen means “to arrive” in the sense of reaching a destination. So Die Fähre legt an focuses on the docking action, while Die Fähre kommt an focuses on the arrival moment.
Why is pünktlich not declined like an adjective?
Here pünktlich is an adverb modifying the verb legt an (“docks on time”). Adverbs in German are never declined; they always appear in their base form.
Why is the article die used with Fähre?
Fähre is a feminine noun in German, so in the nominative singular it takes the article die. Hence die Fähre means “the ferry.”
Why is Die Fähre in the nominative case?
Because it is the subject performing the action of the verb (legt an). Subjects in German always take the nominative case.
Can you explain the word order in Die Fähre legt pünktlich an?
German main clauses follow the V2 rule: the finite verb (legt) must occupy the second position. The structure here is:
- Subject: Die Fähre
- Finite verb: legt
- Adverb: pünktlich
- Separable prefix: an
How would you say this sentence in the perfect tense?
Use haben + past participle of anlegen (which is angelegt): Die Fähre hat pünktlich angelegt.
What is the plural of die Fähre, and how would the verb change?
The plural is die Fähren. The verb agrees in number, so: Die Fähren legen pünktlich an.
Can anlegen take an object or a location phrase?
Yes. As a transitive verb you can specify where or what is being docked:
- Location (dative): Die Fähre legt pünktlich an der Pier an.
- Object (accusative): Der Kapitän legt das Schiff an der Pier an.