Answer Question
ERROR: Fluenz German 5 Session 6 Incorrect German Sentence
In German 5 session 6 - Match the Words, I've encountered an error.
The German sentence reads as follows: "Also brauche ich dich nicht anrufen.", which is to be matched to "Therefore I don't need to call you."
The error here is that when "brauchen" is to be used as a modal, it must be followed by an infinitive **WITH ZU**. This is unlike all other modal verbs in German, it's the "exception that makes the rule".
So, the German sentence should be: "Also brauche ich dich nicht an*zu*rufen" (Zu goes in the middle of anrufen because it's a separable prefix verb.)
Using brauchen as a modal without zu is indeed used in colloquial spoken language, but it is however frowned upon as well as stylistically and grammatically incorrect.
The Germans even have a saying about this very specific mistake, which goes: "Wer brauchen ohne zu gebraucht, braucht brauchen gar nicht zu gebrauchen." (Translation: He who uses brauchen without zu, doesn't need to (shouldn't) use brauchen at all.)
I hope this mistake will be fixed.
Thanks,
Mike
The German sentence reads as follows: "Also brauche ich dich nicht anrufen.", which is to be matched to "Therefore I don't need to call you."
The error here is that when "brauchen" is to be used as a modal, it must be followed by an infinitive **WITH ZU**. This is unlike all other modal verbs in German, it's the "exception that makes the rule".
So, the German sentence should be: "Also brauche ich dich nicht an*zu*rufen" (Zu goes in the middle of anrufen because it's a separable prefix verb.)
Using brauchen as a modal without zu is indeed used in colloquial spoken language, but it is however frowned upon as well as stylistically and grammatically incorrect.
The Germans even have a saying about this very specific mistake, which goes: "Wer brauchen ohne zu gebraucht, braucht brauchen gar nicht zu gebrauchen." (Translation: He who uses brauchen without zu, doesn't need to (shouldn't) use brauchen at all.)
I hope this mistake will be fixed.
Thanks,
Mike