Breakdown of Wie drücke ich das im Formular richtig aus?
ich
I
im
in the; (masculine or neuter)
das
that
wie
how
das Formular
the form
ausdrücken
to express
richtig
correctly
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Questions & Answers about Wie drücke ich das im Formular richtig aus?
Why is the verb split into drücke ... aus?
Because ausdrücken is a separable-prefix verb. In main clauses the finite verb goes to position 2 and the prefix moves to the end, hence Wie drücke ich … aus? In a subordinate clause the parts come back together at the end: …, wie ich das im Formular richtig ausdrücke. With an infinitive + zu, the zu goes between prefix and stem: … richtig auszudrücken.
Would other verbs be more natural on a form than ausdrücken?
Yes. For forms, angeben (to state/indicate) and eintragen (to enter) are very idiomatic: Wie gebe ich das im Formular an?, Wie trage ich das im Formular ein? If you mean the wording of a free-text answer, formulieren fits: Wie formuliere ich das im Formular? Ausdrücken is fine but slightly more general.
What exactly is im here?
Im is the standard contraction of in dem. It’s dative because it indicates location (in the form), and Formular is neuter, so dative singular is dem.
Why not ins Formular or auf dem Formular?
Ins means into (accusative, movement), which doesn’t fit a static location. Im Formular is the common choice for information placed in fields. Auf dem Formular is also heard (especially for the physical sheet), but im Formular is typically preferred in administrative and UI contexts.
What does das refer to, and could I use es or dies instead?
Das is a demonstrative pronoun pointing to that specific previously mentioned thing. Es is more neutral and generic: Wie drücke ich es … aus? works but is less pointed. Dies or dieses are more formal/written and can sound stiff in speech.
Where should richtig go in a sentence with a separable verb?
Common placements are Wie drücke ich das im Formular richtig aus? and Wie drücke ich das richtig im Formular aus? Both are fine; word order only slightly shifts emphasis. Keep richtig near the verb phrase and before the separable particle aus.
Why is the finite verb second after Wie?
German main clauses follow the verb-second rule. The question word Wie occupies the first slot, so the finite verb drücke must come second, followed by the subject ich: Wie drücke ich …?
Is richtig the same as korrekt?
They overlap, but richtig is the neutral everyday choice. Korrekt can sound a bit more formal or technical. Both work here: … richtig aus? or … korrekt an?
Can I say just drücken instead of ausdrücken?
No. Drücken on its own means to press or push. To mean express, you need ausdrücken: Wie drücke ich das … aus? Note that ausdrücken also means to squeeze out (toothpaste), so context matters.
Why is Formular capitalized?
All German nouns are capitalized. Formular is a neuter noun (das Formular, dative dem Formular), so it’s capitalized regardless of position in the sentence.
How would this look in a subordinate clause or with an infinitive?
Subordinate clause: Kannst du mir sagen, wie ich das im Formular richtig ausdrücke? Infinitive with zu: Ich versuche, das im Formular richtig auszudrücken.
How can I make the question more polite or natural in real life?
Add a modal or a softener: Wie kann/könnte ich das im Formular richtig angeben?, Könnten Sie mir bitte sagen, wie ich das im Formular angeben soll? Using angeben here sounds especially natural for forms.