B1 German Grammar Cheat Sheet (Free PDF)
Complete B1 German grammar guide covering all 11 exam-critical topics: Konjunktiv II, Relativsätze, Passiv, Plusquamperfekt, adjective endings, Wechselpräpositionen, and more. Free printable PDF included.
<div class="nav">← <a href="https://examdeutsch.com">ExamDeutsch</a> · <a href="https://examdeutsch.com/blog">Blog</a> · <a href="https://examdeutsch.com">AI Mock Test</a> · <a href="https://examdeutsch.com/einbuergerungstest">Einbürgerungstest</a></div> <div class="hero"> <h1>B1 German Grammar Cheat Sheet 2026 — All 11 Exam-Critical Topics</h1> <div class="meta">By ExamDeutsch · Updated April 2026 · 13 min read · Goethe B1 & telc B1</div> <p class="ex">The B1 exam tests 11 specific grammar structures across all four sections. This isn't a general grammar guide — it's a targeted, exam-focused cheat sheet covering exactly what the Goethe-Zertifikat B1 and telc Deutsch B1 actually test. With tables, examples, memory tips, and a free printable PDF.</p> <div class="hcta"> <a href="#pdf" class="bp">⬇ Free PDF Download</a> <a href="https://examdeutsch.com" class="bs">🤖 AI Practice →</a> </div> </div> <div class="wrap"><div class="body">
<p>Preparing for the B1 exam — whether Goethe or telc — means knowing 11 specific grammar structures that appear across all four exam sections. This isn't about memorising every German rule: it's about mastering the exact topics that examiners test.</p> <p>This guide covers all 11 B1 grammar topics with clear explanations, conjugation tables, worked examples, and the most common mistakes that cost candidates points. A free printable PDF cheat sheet is included.</p>
<div class="pbox" id="pdf"> <div class="pico">📄</div> <div> <h3>Free PDF: B1 German Grammar Cheat Sheet</h3> <p>All 11 topics on one printable A4 sheet — tables, examples, and memory tips. Perfect for last-minute review.</p> <a href="https://examdeutsch.com/downloads/grammar-sheets/ExamDeutsch3B1GrammarCheatSheet.html" class="pbtn">⬇ Download Free PDF</a> <p class="plinks">Free · No email · Print-ready A4 · Also: <a href="https://examdeutsch.com/downloads/grammar-sheets/ExamDeutsch1A1GrammarCheatSheet.html">A1 Grammar PDF</a> · <a href="https://examdeutsch.com/downloads/grammar-sheets/ExamDeutsch7B1SentenceStructures_Schreiben.html">B1 Sentence Structures PDF</a></p> </div> </div>
<div class="toc"> <h3>📋 11 grammar topics covered</h3> <ol> <li><a href="#k2">Konjunktiv II — politeness, wishes, hypotheticals ⭐</a></li> <li><a href="#rel">Relativsätze — relative clauses</a></li> <li><a href="#pass">Passiv — passive voice</a></li> <li><a href="#plus">Plusquamperfekt — past perfect</a></li> <li><a href="#sub">Subordinate clauses — all key conjunctions</a></li> <li><a href="#adj">Adjective endings — all cases and article types</a></li> <li><a href="#wechsel">Wechselpräpositionen — two-way prepositions</a></li> <li><a href="#verbs-prep">Verbs with fixed prepositions</a></li> <li><a href="#genitiv">Genitiv case</a></li> <li><a href="#separable">Separable & inseparable prefix verbs</a></li> <li><a href="#connectors">Complex connectors — je…desto, anstatt zu, etc.</a></li> </ol> </div>
<div class="sg"> <div class="sc"><div class="n">11</div><div class="l">exam-critical topics</div></div> <div class="sc"><div class="n">4</div><div class="l">exam sections they appear in</div></div> <div class="sc"><div class="n">B1</div><div class="l">CEFR level — citizenship requirement</div></div> <div class="sc"><div class="n">60%</div><div class="l">pass mark needed</div></div> </div>
<h2 id="k2">1. Konjunktiv II — Politeness, Wishes, Hypotheticals ⭐ Most Important</h2> <p>Konjunktiv II is the most visible B1-level structure. Using it in Sprechen and Schreiben immediately signals linguistic sophistication to examiners. There are two ways to form it:</p>
<div class="tw"><table> <thead><tr><th>Verb</th><th>ich</th><th>du</th><th>er/sie/es</th><th>wir/sie/Sie</th><th>Primary use</th></tr></thead> <tbody> <tr class="star-row"><td class="fm">würde + infinitive</td><td class="de">würde</td><td class="de">würdest</td><td class="de">würde</td><td class="de">würden</td><td>Safe for ALL verbs: <em>Ich würde gern kommen.</em></td></tr> <tr class="star-row"><td class="de">sein → wäre</td><td class="de">wäre</td><td class="de">wärst</td><td class="de">wäre</td><td class="de">wären</td><td>Hypotheticals: <em>Wenn ich du wäre…</em></td></tr> <tr class="star-row"><td class="de">haben → hätte</td><td class="de">hätte</td><td class="de">hättest</td><td class="de">hätte</td><td class="de">hätten</td><td>Wishes: <em>Ich hätte gern ein Zimmer.</em></td></tr> <tr><td class="de">können → könnte</td><td class="de">könnte</td><td class="de">könntest</td><td class="de">könnte</td><td class="de">könnten</td><td>Polite requests: <em>Könnten Sie mir helfen?</em></td></tr> <tr><td class="de">müssen → müsste</td><td class="de">müsste</td><td class="de">müsstest</td><td class="de">müsste</td><td class="de">müssten</td><td>Obligation: <em>Das müsste klappen.</em></td></tr> <tr><td class="de">dürfen → dürfte</td><td class="de">dürfte</td><td class="de">dürftest</td><td class="de">dürfte</td><td class="de">dürften</td><td>Probability: <em>Das dürfte okay sein.</em></td></tr> <tr><td class="de">werden → würde</td><td class="de">würde</td><td class="de">würdest</td><td class="de">würde</td><td class="de">würden</td><td>Future/conditional: <em>Das würde ich empfehlen.</em></td></tr> </tbody> </table></div>
<div class="tip"><strong>💡 Exam tip:</strong> When unsure of the direct Konjunktiv II form, always use <strong>würde + infinitive</strong>. It works for every verb and sounds natural. Direct forms (wäre, hätte, könnte) are only needed for high-frequency verbs — those 6 in the table above.</div>
<div class="tw"><table> <thead><tr><th>Use case</th><th>Example (German)</th><th>English</th></tr></thead> <tbody> <tr><td class="lb">Polite request</td><td class="de">Könnten Sie mir bitte helfen?</td><td>Could you please help me?</td></tr> <tr><td class="lb">Wish / want</td><td class="de">Ich hätte gern einen Kaffee.</td><td>I'd like a coffee.</td></tr> <tr><td class="lb">Hypothetical</td><td class="de">Wenn ich mehr Zeit hätte, würde ich mehr lesen.</td><td>If I had more time, I'd read more.</td></tr> <tr><td class="lb">Suggestion (B1 Sprechen)</td><td class="de">Ich würde vorschlagen, dass wir…</td><td>I would suggest that we…</td></tr> <tr><td class="lb">Unreal condition</td><td class="de">An deiner Stelle wäre ich vorsichtig.</td><td>In your position, I would be careful.</td></tr> <tr><td class="lb">Polite offer</td><td class="de">Dürfte ich Ihnen etwas anbieten?</td><td>Might I offer you something?</td></tr> </tbody> </table></div>
<p>Two of these eleven topics have guides of their own: <a href="/blog/german-conjunctive-ii-konjunktiv-ii-complete-b1-guide-to-conditional-polite-form">Konjunktiv II</a> and <a href="/blog/german-passive-voice-complete-b1-guide-to-passiv-with-werden-for-2025">the passive with werden</a>. Test the whole sheet against a <a href="/b1">B1 mock exam</a>.</p> <h2 id="rel">2. Relativsätze — Relative Clauses</h2> <p>Relative clauses let you add information about a noun within one sentence — essential for the more complex communication expected at B1.</p> <p><strong>Rule:</strong> The relative pronoun (1) matches the <em>gender/number</em> of the noun it refers to, and (2) takes the <em>case</em> of its function in the relative clause. <strong>Verb always goes to the end.</strong></p>
<div class="tw"><table> <thead><tr><th>Case (function in clause)</th><th>Masculine</th><th>Feminine</th><th>Neuter</th><th>Plural</th></tr></thead> <tbody> <tr><td class="lb">Nominative (subject)</td><td class="de">der</td><td class="de">die</td><td class="de">das</td><td class="de">die</td></tr> <tr><td class="lb">Akkusativ (direct object)</td><td class="de">den</td><td class="de">die</td><td class="de">das</td><td class="de">die</td></tr> <tr><td class="lb">Dativ (indirect object)</td><td class="de">dem</td><td class="de">der</td><td class="de">dem</td><td class="de">denen</td></tr> <tr><td class="lb">Genitiv (possession)</td><td class="de">dessen</td><td class="de">deren</td><td class="de">dessen</td><td class="de">deren</td></tr> </tbody> </table></div>
<div class="tw"><table> <thead><tr><th>Example</th><th>Why that pronoun?</th><th>English</th></tr></thead> <tbody> <tr><td class="de">Das ist der Mann, <strong>der</strong> hier wohnt.</td><td>Mann = masc. Nominative (subject of clause)</td><td>That's the man who lives here.</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">Das ist die Frau, <strong>die</strong> ich kenne.</td><td>Frau = fem. Akkusativ (object of kenne)</td><td>That's the woman whom I know.</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">Das ist das Kind, <strong>dem</strong> ich geholfen habe.</td><td>Kind = neuter. Dativ (helfen takes dative)</td><td>That's the child I helped.</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">Das ist der Mann, <strong>dessen</strong> Auto neu ist.</td><td>Mann = masc. Genitiv (possession)</td><td>That's the man whose car is new.</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">Das sind Leute, <strong>denen</strong> ich vertraue.</td><td>Plural. Dativ (vertrauen takes dative)</td><td>Those are people I trust.</td></tr> </tbody> </table></div>
<div class="imp"><strong>❗ Most common mistake:</strong> Choosing the relative pronoun based only on gender, forgetting the case. Always ask: what is the role of the pronoun <em>within the relative clause</em>? Subject → Nominative. Direct object → Akkusativ. Indirect object → Dativ.</div>
<h2 id="b1-deep-dives">Where each topic is covered in full</h2> <p>Several of the eleven have dedicated guides: <a href="/blog/german-genitive-case-complete-b1-guide-to-possessive-formal-german-for-2025">the genitive</a>, <a href="/blog/german-reported-speech-indirekte-rede-complete-b1-guide-to-indirect-speech-for-2">indirekte Rede</a>, <a href="/blog/german-adjective-comparison-superlative-complete-b1-guide-to-komparativ-superlat">Komparativ and Superlativ</a>, and <a href="/blog/german-advanced-word-order-style-complete-b1-guide-to-sentence-structure-variati">word order beyond the basic rules</a>. The <a href="/blog/complete-b1-german-grammar-reference">complete B1 reference</a> collects all of them, and <a href="/blog/b1-german-vocabulary-essential-2500-words">2,500 B1 words by theme</a> covers the vocabulary side.</p> <h2 id="pass">3. Passiv — Passive Voice</h2> <p>Passive voice shifts focus from the actor to the action. Formula: <strong>werden</strong> (conjugated, position 2) + <strong>Partizip II</strong> (at end). Agent (by whom) = <strong>von + Dativ</strong>.</p>
<div class="tw"><table> <thead><tr><th>Tense</th><th>Formula</th><th>Example</th><th>Active equivalent</th></tr></thead> <tbody> <tr><td class="lb">Present</td><td class="fm">wird + Part.II</td><td class="de">Das Haus wird gebaut.</td><td>Man baut das Haus.</td></tr> <tr><td class="lb">Präteritum</td><td class="fm">wurde + Part.II</td><td class="de">Das Haus wurde gebaut.</td><td>Man baute das Haus.</td></tr> <tr><td class="lb">Perfekt</td><td class="fm">ist + Part.II + worden</td><td class="de">Das Haus ist gebaut worden.</td><td>Man hat das Haus gebaut.</td></tr> <tr><td class="lb">With agent</td><td class="fm">wird + von + Dat. + Part.II</td><td class="de">Das Haus wird von ihm gebaut.</td><td>Er baut das Haus.</td></tr> <tr><td class="lb">Modal + Passive</td><td class="fm">Modal + Part.II + werden</td><td class="de">Das Haus muss gebaut werden.</td><td>Man muss das Haus bauen.</td></tr> </tbody> </table></div> <div class="tip"><strong>💡 Note:</strong> In Perfekt passive, the Partizip II of <em>werden</em> is <strong>worden</strong> (not geworden). Das Haus ist gebaut <strong>worden</strong> ✓ (not: Das Haus ist gebaut <del>geworden</del>).</div>
<h2 id="plus">4. Plusquamperfekt — Past Perfect</h2> <p>Used for an action that happened <strong>before another past action</strong>. Most commonly introduced by <em>nachdem, als, bevor</em>.</p> <p><strong>Formula:</strong> <span class="hl">hatte / war</span> (Präteritum of haben/sein) + <span class="hl">Partizip II</span> at end.</p>
<div class="tw"><table> <thead><tr><th>Example</th><th>Tense analysis</th><th>English</th></tr></thead> <tbody> <tr><td class="de">Als ich ankam, <strong>hatte</strong> er schon <strong>gegessen</strong>.</td><td>ankam = Prät. | hatte gegessen = Plusq.</td><td>When I arrived, he had already eaten.</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">Nachdem sie <strong>gegangen war</strong>, rief er an.</td><td>gegangen war = Plusq. | rief an = Prät.</td><td>After she had left, he called.</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">Er <strong>hatte</strong> alles <strong>vorbereitet</strong>, bevor wir kamen.</td><td>hatte vorbereitet = Plusq.</td><td>He had prepared everything before we came.</td></tr> </tbody> </table></div> <div class="warn"><strong>⚠️ Tense rule with nachdem:</strong> After <em>nachdem</em>, the clause in the past uses Plusquamperfekt, and the main clause uses Präteritum (or Perfekt). <em>Nachdem er gegessen <strong>hatte</strong>, ging er nach Hause.</em></div>
<h2 id="sub">5. Subordinate Clauses — Verb Goes to END</h2> <div class="tw"><table> <thead><tr><th>Conjunction</th><th>Meaning</th><th>Example</th><th>Word order note</th></tr></thead> <tbody> <tr><td class="de">weil / da</td><td>because / since</td><td class="de">Ich bleibe, weil es regnet.</td><td>Verb to end</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">obwohl</td><td>although</td><td class="de">Ich komme, obwohl ich müde bin.</td><td>Verb to end</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">wenn</td><td>when / if</td><td class="de">Wenn du kommst, rufe ich an.</td><td>Verb to end → then inversion</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">dass</td><td>that</td><td class="de">Ich glaube, dass er kommt.</td><td>Verb to end</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">ob</td><td>whether / if</td><td class="de">Ich weiß nicht, ob er kommt.</td><td>Verb to end</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">damit</td><td>so that</td><td class="de">Ich lerne, damit ich bestehe.</td><td>Verb to end</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">als</td><td>when (past, once)</td><td class="de">Als ich jung war, spielte ich Tennis.</td><td>Verb to end</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">bevor / nachdem</td><td>before / after</td><td class="de">Bevor du gehst, ruf mich an.</td><td>Verb to end</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">während</td><td>while / during</td><td class="de">Während er schläft, lerne ich.</td><td>Verb to end</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">seitdem</td><td>since (time)</td><td class="de">Seitdem er hier wohnt, ist er glücklich.</td><td>Verb to end</td></tr> </tbody> </table></div> <div class="imp"><strong>❗ Modal + infinitive in subordinate clause:</strong> Infinitive last, modal second to last.<br><em>Ich weiß, dass er gut Deutsch sprechen <strong>kann</strong>.</em> — NOT: …<del>kann sprechen</del>.</div>
<h2 id="adj">6. Adjective Endings — All Cases and Article Types</h2> <p>There are three declension patterns depending on what comes before the adjective: definite article, indefinite article, or no article.</p>
<div class="tc2"> <div> <h3>After definite article (der/die/das)</h3> <div class="tw"><table> <thead><tr><th>Case</th><th>Masc.</th><th>Fem.</th><th>Neut.</th><th>Plur.</th></tr></thead> <tbody> <tr><td class="lb">Nom.</td><td class="de">-e</td><td class="de">-e</td><td class="de">-e</td><td class="de">-en</td></tr> <tr><td class="lb">Akk.</td><td class="de">-en</td><td class="de">-e</td><td class="de">-e</td><td class="de">-en</td></tr> <tr><td class="lb">Dat.</td><td class="de">-en</td><td class="de">-en</td><td class="de">-en</td><td class="de">-en</td></tr> <tr><td class="lb">Gen.</td><td class="de">-en</td><td class="de">-en</td><td class="de">-en</td><td class="de">-en</td></tr> </tbody> </table></div> </div> <div> <h3>After indefinite article (ein/eine)</h3> <div class="tw"><table> <thead><tr><th>Case</th><th>Masc.</th><th>Fem.</th><th>Neut.</th><th>Plur.</th></tr></thead> <tbody> <tr><td class="lb">Nom.</td><td class="de">-er</td><td class="de">-e</td><td class="de">-es</td><td class="de">-e</td></tr> <tr><td class="lb">Akk.</td><td class="de">-en</td><td class="de">-e</td><td class="de">-es</td><td class="de">-e</td></tr> <tr><td class="lb">Dat.</td><td class="de">-en</td><td class="de">-en</td><td class="de">-en</td><td class="de">-en</td></tr> <tr><td class="lb">Gen.</td><td class="de">-en</td><td class="de">-en</td><td class="de">-en</td><td class="de">-en</td></tr> </tbody> </table></div> </div> </div> <div class="tip"><strong>💡 Memory trick:</strong> After definite articles, the ending is mostly <strong>-e</strong> (Nom./Akk. sg.) or <strong>-en</strong> everywhere else. After indefinite articles, Nom./Akk. sg. take a "strong" ending (-er/-es) that shows the gender. No article at all → adjective carries full gender signal: <em>kalter Kaffee, kalte Milch, kaltes Wasser</em>.</div>
<h2 id="wechsel">7. Wechselpräpositionen — Two-Way Prepositions</h2> <p>These 9 prepositions take <strong>Akkusativ</strong> when describing movement/direction, and <strong>Dativ</strong> when describing location/state.</p> <div class="tw"><table> <thead><tr><th>Preposition</th><th>Akkusativ (movement → "where to?")</th><th>Dativ (location → "where?")</th></tr></thead> <tbody> <tr><td class="de">in</td><td>Ich gehe <strong>in die</strong> Schule. (Akk)</td><td>Ich bin <strong>in der</strong> Schule. (Dat)</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">an</td><td>Ich hänge das Bild <strong>an die</strong> Wand. (Akk)</td><td>Das Bild hängt <strong>an der</strong> Wand. (Dat)</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">auf</td><td>Ich lege das Buch <strong>auf den</strong> Tisch. (Akk)</td><td>Das Buch liegt <strong>auf dem</strong> Tisch. (Dat)</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">über</td><td>Die Katze springt <strong>über den</strong> Zaun. (Akk)</td><td>Die Lampe hängt <strong>über dem</strong> Tisch. (Dat)</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">unter</td><td>Er kriecht <strong>unter den</strong> Tisch. (Akk)</td><td>Er schläft <strong>unter dem</strong> Tisch. (Dat)</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">vor</td><td>Stell das Auto <strong>vor die</strong> Garage. (Akk)</td><td>Das Auto steht <strong>vor der</strong> Garage. (Dat)</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">hinter</td><td>Sie geht <strong>hinter das</strong> Haus. (Akk)</td><td>Sie steht <strong>hinter dem</strong> Haus. (Dat)</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">neben</td><td>Er stellt den Stuhl <strong>neben den</strong> Tisch. (Akk)</td><td>Der Stuhl steht <strong>neben dem</strong> Tisch. (Dat)</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">zwischen</td><td>Sie legt die Karte <strong>zwischen die</strong> Bücher. (Akk)</td><td>Die Karte liegt <strong>zwischen den</strong> Büchern. (Dat)</td></tr> </tbody> </table></div>
<h2 id="verbs-prep">8. Verbs With Fixed Prepositions</h2> <p>These verb + preposition combinations are fixed — the preposition doesn't follow logic, it must be memorised. The preposition determines the case.</p> <div class="tw"><table> <thead><tr><th>Verb + Preposition</th><th>Case</th><th>Example</th><th>English</th></tr></thead> <tbody> <tr><td class="de">warten auf</td><td>Akkusativ</td><td class="de">Ich warte auf den Bus.</td><td>to wait for</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">denken an</td><td>Akkusativ</td><td class="de">Ich denke an dich.</td><td>to think of/about</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">sich freuen auf</td><td>Akkusativ</td><td class="de">Ich freue mich auf den Urlaub.</td><td>to look forward to</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">sich freuen über</td><td>Akkusativ</td><td class="de">Ich freue mich über das Geschenk.</td><td>to be happy about</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">sprechen über</td><td>Akkusativ</td><td class="de">Wir sprechen über das Problem.</td><td>to talk about</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">sich interessieren für</td><td>Akkusativ</td><td class="de">Ich interessiere mich für Musik.</td><td>to be interested in</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">sich ärgern über</td><td>Akkusativ</td><td class="de">Er ärgert sich über den Lärm.</td><td>to be annoyed about</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">helfen bei</td><td>Dativ</td><td class="de">Ich helfe dir bei der Aufgabe.</td><td>to help with</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">arbeiten mit</td><td>Dativ</td><td class="de">Ich arbeite mit ihm zusammen.</td><td>to work with</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">fragen nach</td><td>Dativ</td><td class="de">Er fragt nach dem Weg.</td><td>to ask about</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">träumen von</td><td>Dativ</td><td class="de">Ich träume von einem Urlaub.</td><td>to dream of</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">gehören zu</td><td>Dativ</td><td class="de">Das gehört zu meiner Arbeit.</td><td>to belong to / be part of</td></tr> </tbody> </table></div> <div class="imp"><strong>❗ Most common error:</strong> <del>Ich denke über meine Zukunft</del> → ✓ <em>Ich denke <strong>an</strong> meine Zukunft.</em> German uses a different preposition than English. Learn verb + preposition as one unit.</div>
<h2 id="genitiv">9. Genitiv Case — Possession and Fixed Prepositions</h2> <div class="tc2"> <div> <h3>Genitiv articles</h3> <div class="tw"><table> <thead><tr><th>Gender</th><th>Definite</th><th>Indefinite</th></tr></thead> <tbody> <tr><td class="lb">Masculine</td><td class="de">des (+ -s/-es)</td><td class="de">eines (+ -s/-es)</td></tr> <tr><td class="lb">Feminine</td><td class="de">der</td><td class="de">einer</td></tr> <tr><td class="lb">Neuter</td><td class="de">des (+ -s/-es)</td><td class="de">eines (+ -s/-es)</td></tr> <tr><td class="lb">Plural</td><td class="de">der</td><td class="de">—</td></tr> </tbody> </table></div> </div> <div> <h3>Key Genitiv prepositions</h3> <div class="tw"><table> <thead><tr><th>Preposition</th><th>Meaning</th><th>Example</th></tr></thead> <tbody> <tr><td class="de">wegen</td><td>because of</td><td class="de">wegen des Regens</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">trotz</td><td>despite</td><td class="de">trotz des Wetters</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">während</td><td>during</td><td class="de">während des Essens</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">statt / anstatt</td><td>instead of</td><td class="de">statt des Buses</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">außerhalb</td><td>outside of</td><td class="de">außerhalb der Stadt</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">innerhalb</td><td>within / inside</td><td class="de">innerhalb einer Woche</td></tr> </tbody> </table></div> </div> </div>
<h2 id="separable">10. Separable & Inseparable Prefix Verbs</h2> <div class="tw"><table> <thead><tr><th>Type</th><th>Prefixes</th><th>Present tense rule</th><th>Partizip II</th><th>Example</th></tr></thead> <tbody> <tr><td class="lb">Separable (trennbar)</td><td>ab-, an-, auf-, aus-, ein-, mit-, nach-, vor-, zu-, zurück-, etc.</td><td>Prefix splits off → END of clause</td><td>ge- inserted between: <em>auf-ge-standen</em></td><td class="de">Ich stehe jeden Tag um 7 Uhr <strong>auf</strong>.</td></tr> <tr><td class="lb">Inseparable (untrennbar)</td><td>be-, er-, ge-, ver-, zer-, emp-, ent-, miss-</td><td>Prefix stays attached</td><td>No additional ge-: <em>besucht</em></td><td class="de">Ich <strong>besuche</strong> meine Familie.</td></tr> <tr><td class="lb">Variable (both possible)</td><td>um-, über-, unter-, durch-, wieder-</td><td>Depends on meaning</td><td>Varies</td><td class="de"><em>umfahren</em> (sep.) = drive around vs. <em>umfahren</em> (insep.) = run over</td></tr> </tbody> </table></div>
<h2 id="connectors">11. Complex Connectors — B1 Level Structures</h2> <div class="tw"><table> <thead><tr><th>Connector</th><th>Meaning</th><th>Word order</th><th>Example</th></tr></thead> <tbody> <tr class="star-row"><td class="de">je … desto</td><td>the more … the more</td><td>je-clause: verb to end. desto-clause: inversion</td><td class="de">Je mehr du lernst, desto besser wirst du.</td></tr> <tr class="star-row"><td class="de">anstatt zu + Infinitiv</td><td>instead of -ing</td><td>zu + infinitive at end</td><td class="de">Anstatt zu lernen, sah er fern.</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">ohne zu + Infinitiv</td><td>without -ing</td><td>zu + infinitive at end</td><td class="de">Er ging, ohne Tschüss zu sagen.</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">um zu + Infinitiv</td><td>in order to</td><td>zu + infinitive at end</td><td class="de">Ich lerne, um die Prüfung zu bestehen.</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">sowohl … als auch</td><td>both … and</td><td>normal order</td><td class="de">Sie spricht sowohl Englisch als auch Deutsch.</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">weder … noch</td><td>neither … nor</td><td>normal order</td><td class="de">Er hat weder Zeit noch Geld.</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">zwar … aber</td><td>admittedly … but</td><td>aber = normal order</td><td class="de">Das ist zwar teuer, aber sehr gut.</td></tr> </tbody> </table></div>
<div class="pbox"> <div class="pico">📄</div> <div> <h3>Download the B1 Grammar Cheat Sheet PDF</h3> <p>All 11 topics, all tables, all examples — one printable A4 sheet for exam day review.</p> <a href="https://examdeutsch.com/downloads/grammar-sheets/ExamDeutsch3B1GrammarCheatSheet.html" class="pbtn">⬇ Download Free PDF</a> <p class="plinks">Also: <a href="https://examdeutsch.com/downloads/grammar-sheets/ExamDeutsch6B1RedemittelSprechen.html">B1 Redemittel PDF</a> · <a href="https://examdeutsch.com/downloads/grammar-sheets/ExamDeutsch7B1SentenceStructures_Schreiben.html">B1 Sentence Structures PDF</a></p> </div> </div>
<div class="cta"> <h3>Practise B1 Grammar With AI Exercises</h3> <p>ExamDeutsch AI generates targeted grammar exercises for each of these 11 topics — with instant explanations of every mistake.</p> <a href="https://examdeutsch.com">Start AI Grammar Practice →</a> <a href="https://examdeutsch.com/blog/b1-redemittel-120-phrases-for-goethe-telc-speaking-exam-2026-free-pdf" class="sec">B1 Redemittel Guide →</a> </div>
<h2>Frequently Asked Questions</h2> <details><summary>Which B1 grammar topic is tested most in the Goethe exam?</summary><p>Subordinate clauses (Nebensätze) and Konjunktiv II appear across all four sections. Wechselpräpositionen and verbs with fixed prepositions are heavily tested in Sprachbausteine (fill-in-the-blank). Relativsätze and Passiv commonly appear in Schreiben and Lesen.</p></details> <details><summary>Do I need to know Genitiv for B1?</summary><p>Yes — primarily for reading comprehension and formal writing. You need to recognise Genitiv constructions and use the key Genitiv prepositions (wegen, trotz, während, statt). Active production of Genitiv is less critical than passive recognition at B1.</p></details> <details><summary>What is the difference between weil and da?</summary><p>Both mean "because" and both send the verb to the end. <em>Weil</em> introduces new, unknown information and can start a sentence or clause. <em>Da</em> is used when the reason is already known and usually comes at the beginning of the sentence: <em>Da ich krank bin, kann ich nicht kommen.</em></p></details> <details><summary>How do I know whether to use Perfekt or Plusquamperfekt?</summary><p>Perfekt = a past event (standalone). Plusquamperfekt = a past event that happened BEFORE another past event. Trigger words: <em>nachdem</em> (always triggers Plusquamperfekt in the before-clause), <em>als</em> (triggers Plusquamperfekt when emphasising prior completion), <em>bevor</em>.</p></details>
<h2>Related guides</h2> <div class="rg"> <a href="https://examdeutsch.com/blog/a1-german-grammar-complete-beginner-guide-2026-articles-cases-verbs-sentences-fr" class="rc"><div class="ri">🔤</div><div class="rt">A1 Grammar Complete Guide</div><div class="rd">Articles, cases, verb conjugation and sentence structure for beginners.</div></a> <a href="https://examdeutsch.com/blog/b1-redemittel-120-phrases-for-goethe-telc-speaking-exam-2026-free-pdf" class="rc"><div class="ri">🗣️</div><div class="rt">B1 Redemittel (120 Phrases)</div><div class="rd">Speaking phrases for the Gemeinsam planen task.</div></a> <a href="https://examdeutsch.com/blog/telc-b1-schreiben-email-templates-scoring-examples-2026-free-pdf" class="rc"><div class="ri">✍️</div><div class="rt">telc B1 Schreiben Guide</div><div class="rd">Templates, scoring criteria, and annotated examples.</div></a> </div>
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