Learn Hardcore German: Bitte lass den Schlüsselbund nicht wieder auf dem Tisch liegen. - Please don’t leave the key ring on the table again.

Because den Schlüsselbund is in the accusative case as the direct object of lassen. Schlüsselbund is masculine: nominative der, accusative den, dative dem, genitive des. Here we are telling someone to do something to the keyring (leave it), so accusative is required.

Why auf dem Tisch and not auf den Tisch?

Auf is a two-way preposition. Use dative for location (answering “Where?”) and accusative for motion (answering “Where to?”). Since liegen expresses a state (it is lying somewhere), you use dative: auf dem Tisch. If you were putting it onto the table (motion), you’d say: Leg den Schlüsselbund auf den Tisch.

Why is liegen at the end?

German puts non-finite verbs at the end of main clauses. The pattern here is lassen + object + other info + bare infinitive: lass … liegen. In a subordinate clause it’s similar: …, damit du den Schlüsselbund nicht wieder auf dem Tisch liegen lässt.

What exactly does lassen mean here?

Here lassen means “to leave (in a state or place),” not “to allow.” The construction etwas irgendwo liegen lassen means “to leave something lying somewhere” (often with the nuance of forgetting it). Compare: jemanden warten lassen (leave someone waiting), das Licht anlassen (leave the light on).

Why is nicht placed before wieder?

Nicht wieder expresses “not again.” German generally places nicht immediately before what it negates. If you wanted to negate the location instead, you’d say nicht auf dem Tisch: Bitte lass den Schlüsselbund nicht auf dem Tisch liegen (don’t leave it on the table).

What’s the difference between wieder, noch mal/nochmal, and schon wieder?

wieder = again (neutral).
noch mal/nochmal = one more time/again (more colloquial and often about repeating an action once).
schon wieder = yet again/again already (signals irritation or surprise). For a strong “never again,” use nie wieder.

Could I drop liegen and just say: Bitte lass den Schlüsselbund nicht wieder auf dem Tisch?

People would understand, and lassen + Ort can work, but liegen lassen is the idiomatic, clearer way to say “leave (lying) somewhere.” Without liegen, the sentence sounds a bit bare and loses the nuance of “lying/left behind.”

Why lass and not lasse or lässt?

This is the du-imperative of lassen, which is lass. You might see lasse with an -e in very formal/literary style, but everyday German uses lass. Other forms: lasst (ihr), lassen Sie (Sie), and for suggestions lass/lasst uns ….

Does bitte affect word order? Where can I put it?

Bitte is a polite particle and doesn’t change the verb position. You can place it at the start, after the verb, or at the end:

Bitte lass …
Lass bitte …
Lass …, bitte. All are fine; the differences are subtle in tone.

Why not use kein instead of nicht?

Kein negates a noun phrase (e.g., “no keys”), while nicht negates the verb/action or specific parts of the sentence. We’re negating the action (“don’t leave it again”), so nicht is correct. Using kein would change the meaning to “Don’t leave any keyring(s) …,” which isn’t intended.

Can I say schon wieder to show annoyance?

Yes: Bitte lass den Schlüsselbund nicht schon wieder auf dem Tisch liegen emphasizes “not yet again,” implying frustration. Without schon, it’s more neutral.

How would I replace den Schlüsselbund with a pronoun?

Use the accusative masculine pronoun ihn: Bitte lass ihn nicht wieder auf dem Tisch liegen. Using das would not refer to the masculine noun here; das would point to an idea or situation (“that”).

Why liegen lassen and not stehen lassen?

German often uses a verb that matches the object’s posture:

liegen lassen for things that lie (keys, books).
stehen lassen for things that stand (a glass, a bottle).
hängen lassen for things that hang (a coat on a hook). For keys on a table, liegen lassen is the natural choice.

Is it spelled liegen lassen or liegenlassen?

Both are accepted, but the separated spelling liegen lassen is more common and transparent. In finite forms, the parts can split: Er lässt den Schlüsselbund liegen. In the perfect, dictionaries list: Er hat den Schlüsselbund liegen lassen.

How do I say this in the past (present perfect)?

Use: Ich habe den Schlüsselbund wieder auf dem Tisch liegen lassen. Note the double infinitive at the end (liegen lassen). This is the standard dictionary form for the perfect of liegen lassen.

Can I change the word order for emphasis?

Yes, but keep liegen at the end. Examples:

Neutral: Lass den Schlüsselbund nicht wieder auf dem Tisch liegen.
Emphasize the place: Auf dem Tisch lass den Schlüsselbund nicht wieder liegen. Avoid … nicht wieder liegen auf dem Tisch—that sounds wrong in standard German.

Why not use zurücklassen?

Zurücklassen means “to leave behind” (often more permanently or when moving on): Er hat sein Gepäck am Bahnhof zurückgelassen. Here you’re talking about not leaving the keys lying on the table (a temporary, specific location), so liegen lassen fits better.

Do I need a comma after Bitte?

No comma is required: Bitte lass … is standard. You can add a comma if Bitte is used as an interjection with a pause: Bitte, lass … Both are acceptable.