Breakdown of Ich kann die Lautstärke am Radio einstellen.
ich
I
können
can
an
on
das Radio
the radio
einstellen
to adjust
die Lautstärke
the volume
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Questions & Answers about Ich kann die Lautstärke am Radio einstellen.
Why is am Radio used here? What does am stand for, and what case is it?
am is the contracted form of an dem, using the dative case. The preposition an with the dative answers “where?”—so am Radio literally means “at the radio set.”
Why is die Lautstärke in the accusative case?
die Lautstärke is the direct object of the verb einstellen (“to adjust”). In German, direct objects take the accusative case. Since Lautstärke is feminine, its accusative article remains die.
Why does einstellen appear at the end of the sentence?
einstellen is a separable-prefix verb (ein- + stellen). When you use a modal verb like kann, the main verb in its infinitive form goes to the end, keeping the prefix attached: einstellen.
Why do we say die Lautstärke rather than das Volumen when talking about sound?
In German, Lautstärke refers specifically to audio volume (sound level). Volumen is used for three-dimensional space or liquid volume, not for the loudness of sound.
Why is the order die Lautstärke am Radio instead of am Radio die Lautstärke?
In main clauses, German typically places objects (here die Lautstärke, the accusative object) before adverbials of place (am Radio). Both orders are possible, but the neutral pattern is Subject–Verb–Object–Adverbial.