Learn Hardcore German: Am Eingang müssen wir die Tickets vorzeigen, sonst kommen wir nicht weiter. - At the entrance we have to show the tickets, otherwise we won’t get any further.

Am is the contraction of an dem. It literally means “at the,” and here it’s used because an + dative is standard for a stationary location at a boundary or point like an entrance. So an dem Eingang → am Eingang.

Which case is Eingang in, and why?

Dative singular. An can take accusative (motion toward) or dative (no motion). Here it’s a location (“at the entrance”), so it takes dative: an dem Eingang → am Eingang.

Why is the verb müssen in second position after Am Eingang?

German main clauses follow the verb-second (V2) rule. A fronted element (Am Eingang) occupies the first slot, so the finite verb (müssen) must come next, followed by the subject (wir).

Why is vorzeigen at the very end?

With a modal verb like müssen, the main verb appears as an infinitive at the end of the clause. Because vorzeigen is separable, you would split it only in a simple clause without a modal. With a modal, it stays together at the end.

Is vorzeigen the same as zeigen?

Not quite. Zeigen is general “to show.” Vorzeigen means “to present for inspection,” typically to an authority (tickets, ID, pass). It’s the natural verb for showing tickets at a checkpoint.

How would the sentence look without a modal verb?

Split the separable verb: Wir zeigen am Eingang die Tickets vor, sonst kommen wir nicht weiter.

What other verbs could replace vorzeigen, and how do they differ?

Vorlegen: “to present/submit” documents; more about placing/handing over papers.
Vorweisen: “to produce/show as proof”; slightly more formal/official. All three can work for tickets; vorzeigen is the most neutral for “showing at the entrance.”

Why is there a comma before sonst?

Two independent main clauses are being linked. German requires a comma between them. Sonst (“otherwise”) starts a new main clause, so a comma is mandatory.

Is sonst a conjunction, and what does it do to word order?

Sonst functions as a sentence adverb (“otherwise”). It occupies the first position in the second clause and triggers V2 inversion: sonst kommen wir … (verb before subject).

Can I rephrase the second half with wenn?

Yes: Wenn wir die Tickets nicht vorzeigen, kommen wir nicht weiter. This makes the conditional explicit. Note the verb-last in the subordinate clause and the placement nicht vorzeigen.

What exactly does weiterkommen mean?

Literally “to come further,” idiomatically “to get past/through” or “to make progress.” At a checkpoint it means “to proceed.” It’s separable: wir kommen … weiter; perfect: wir sind … weitergekommen (with sein).

Why is nicht before weiter in kommen wir nicht weiter?

Because weiter is the separable particle that surfaces at the end. The negation nicht precedes the verbal particle to negate the verb phrase: “not get any further.”

Why is die Tickets accusative?

It’s the direct object of vorzeigen. Plural accusative uses die. If you replace it with a pronoun: sie → Am Eingang müssen wir sie vorzeigen.

Can I move am Eingang to a different place?

Yes. Common variants:

Wir müssen am Eingang die Tickets vorzeigen, …
Wir müssen die Tickets am Eingang vorzeigen, … Fronting am Eingang just emphasizes the location.

Is am Eingang the same as beim Eingang?

Close, but not identical. Am Eingang = right at the entrance. Beim Eingang (bei dem) = by/near the entrance (a bit looser spatially). Both are possible; choose based on nuance.

Is an der Eingang ever correct?

No, because Eingang is masculine: it must be an dem Eingang → am Eingang. You can say an der Eingangstür (feminine noun), which is correct.

What’s the difference between müssen and sollen here?

Müssen = necessity/requirement (“we have to”). Sollen = obligation per instruction/recommendation (“we’re supposed to”). At a checkpoint, müssen is more natural because it’s a rule required to proceed.

How do I form the yes/no question version?

Invert the subject and the finite verb: Müssen wir am Eingang die Tickets vorzeigen?

Can I use the passive voice?

Yes: Am Eingang müssen die Tickets vorgezeigt werden, sonst kommen wir nicht weiter. This focuses on the action rather than who does it.

What are the gender and plural of Eingang?

Masculine: der Eingang. Plural: die Eingänge.

Could I say sonst gehen wir nicht weiter instead of kommen wir nicht weiter?

You can, but it slightly changes nuance. Weitergehen is more literal “go on/walk on.” Weiterkommen emphasizes making progress or getting past a checkpoint, which fits better here.

Where would nicht go if I wanted to negate only the first clause?

Be careful: Am Eingang müssen wir die Tickets nicht vorzeigen, … means “we do not have to show the tickets at the entrance,” which changes the meaning. The original negates the outcome, not the obligation.