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Questions & Answers about Ich klopfe den Teppich aus.
What is the verb ausklopfen, and why is it split into klopfe … aus in this sentence?
Ausklopfen is a separable-prefix verb made of aus- (out) + klopfen (to knock/beat). In a main clause in the present tense, the prefix detaches and moves to the end of the clause: Ich klopfe den Teppich aus.
Why is den Teppich in the accusative case here?
Teppich is masculine (der Teppich). As the direct object of the transitive verb ausklopfen, it takes the accusative form, which for masculine nouns is den.
How would I put this sentence into the perfect tense?
Use haben as the auxiliary and the past participle ausgeklopft. The perfect tense sentence is: Ich habe den Teppich ausgeklopft.
Can I ever write ausklopfe instead of splitting it?
In main clauses you must split. You only attach the prefix in non-V2 contexts, such as infinitives (ausklopfen) or final verb position in subordinate clauses (…, weil ich den Teppich ausklopfe).
What’s the difference between ausklopfen and ausschütteln when cleaning a carpet?
Ausklopfen implies beating or knocking to shake out dust, often with a carpet beater. Ausschütteln means shaking it (e.g. by hand or over a railing) without necessarily using a beating motion.
Can I start with Den Teppich and say Den Teppich klopfe ich aus?
Yes. That fronting puts emphasis on Den Teppich, but you must still split the verb: Den Teppich klopfe ich aus.
How do I pronounce klopfe and the final -ch in Teppich?
Klopfe is [ˈklɔpfə], with a clear p and unstressed -e at the end. In Teppich [ˈtɛpɪç], the final -ch is the “ich-Laut,” a soft, palatal fricative made by raising the middle of your tongue toward the hard palate.