Frame description

In this frame, a person, the Cognizer, makes a choice in favor of a particular entity or course of action (the Chosen). 

Examples:

1. Ich beschloss, mein Leben völlig zu ändern.1. I decided to change my life completely.
2. Man öffnet das Nachrichtenkonsumierprogramm seiner Wahl und liest. 2. One opens the news consumption program of one's choice and reads.
3. Die Entscheidung trafen die Politiker gemeinsam.3. The politicians made the decision together.
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In this frame, a person, the Cognizer, makes a choice in favor of a particular entity or course of action (the Chosen). 

Examples:

1. Ich beschloss, mein Leben völlig zu ändern.1. I decided to change my life completely.
2. Man öffnet das Nachrichtenkonsumierprogramm seiner Wahl und liest. 2. One opens the news consumption program of one's choice and reads.
3. Die Entscheidung trafen die Politiker gemeinsam.3. The politicians made the decision together.

The Chosen is one of several options included in a set of Possibilities, and is selected with some intended Purpose in mind, and an Explanation may be given, which serves as the basis for the choice. Because the Purpose and Explanation involve potential causation, you can find ways to express them in the Causation frame (e.g. "um...zu," "in order to," and "weil," "because").

Rarely, the general Topic (about which the decision is made) can be added, as in "Auf der Versammlung sollten wir  über den Zukunftsplan beschließen." ("At the meeting, we should decide about the future plan.").

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Grammar Notes
Sentence Templates
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Frame Elements

Frame Element descriptions (on hover):

Cognizer

The person who makes a choice (typically after some consideration of available options and potential outcomes).

Chosen

The entity or course of action chosen by the Cognizer.

Possibilities

The set of options - either entities or courses of action - available to the Cognizer.

Purpose

The intended purpose of the Chosen; what the Cognizer hopes to accomplish with it.

Explanation

The reason or justification given for the choice made by the Cognizer.

Topic

The general concept about which a decision is made.

Details
Examples
Grammar Notes
Sentence Templates
Alternate Forms
See All Information
aussuchen: (sich) etwas aussuchen verb to pick sth. out

Details:

to pick something out

This verb is used similarly to its English counterpart. A Cognizer picks out the Chosen from a number of Possibilities for a specific Purpose. When a Cognizer chooses between Possibilities that are related to an election, the verb "wählen" is used more frequently.

Sie sucht sich ein Bonbon aus. / She picks out one piece of candy.

Pixabay license, via Pixabay.com

Further details:

Synonyms:

"auswählen," "wählen," "erwählen," "sich etwas / jemanden ausgucken, auskucken"

More information in DWDS, the digital dictionary of the German language:

„aussuchen“, bereitgestellt durch das Digitale Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache, <https://www.dwds.de/wb/aussuchen>, abgerufen am 18.01.2022.

 

This word is part of the vocabulary for the Goethe-Zertifikat B1.

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Example Sentences:

  1. Man muss sich  nur den richtigen Zeitpunkt aussuchen.
  2. Für den Filmabend haben wir uns den Film "König der Löwen" ausgesucht.
  3. Die Nachbarn kann man sich nicht aussuchen.
  4. Such dir etwas Schönes aus! Ich lade dich ein.
  5. Wir haben  uns   die Möbel aus einem Katalog ausgesucht.
  1. One just has to choose the right moment.
  2. For the film night, we chose the movie "Lion King."
  3. You cannot choose your neighbors.
  4. Choose something nice. I invite you.
  5. We choose the furniture from a catalog.
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Grammar:

Verbs with Separable Prefixes

Some verbs have a prefix that moves around in the sentence, depending on what form the verb takes. You can expect the prefix to appear at the end of the sentence or clause, but whether the verb appears there with it depends on the rest of the sentence (tense, presence of a modal verb, etc.). In the infinitive form, the prefix is attached, like "ausgehen" ("to go out"). If the verb is conjugated (in present or simple past tense), the prefix appears at the end of the clause, as in "Ich gehe heute Abend aus" ("I am going out tonight"). The chart below shows several structural variants for these kinds of verbs. For more information, see the examples for individual verbs in the G-FOL or read these explanations from Grimm Grammar: present tense, conversational past tense (Perfekt).

Die erste Stelle (first position)V2 (verb 2nd)Rest (the rest of the info)am Ende (at the end)
Am Samstagabendgeheich mit Freundenaus.
Ichgingam Samstagabend mit Freunden aus.
Mit Freundenbinich am Samstagabendausgegangen.
Wanngeheich mit Freundenaus?
Ichkannnicht am Samstagabend mit Freunden ausgehen.

Reflexive Verbs and Pronouns

Verbs that are used reflexively often carry a reciprocal meaning or the meaning that the subject is performing the action of the verb on themself, although some abstract verbs are used reflexively without such meanings. In any case, the reflexive pronouns and word order are the same. As a general rule, the reflexive pronoun should appear just after the subject, although the V2 rule trumps this one, so in a basic sentence, you will find: subject, verb, reflexive (e.g. "Er verliebt sich in Melanie," "He is falling in love with Melanie"). For further examples, consult the Examples sections of reflexive verbs. Click here for further explanation.

NominativAkkusativDativ
ichmichmir
dudichdir
er/sie/essichsich
wirunsuns
ihreucheuch
sie/Siesichsich
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Templates with Frame Elements:

  1. COGNIZER sucht CHOSEN aus.
  2. COGNIZER sucht CHOSEN von POSSIBILITIES aus.
  3. COGNIZER sucht CHOSEN für PURPOSE aus.
  4. COGNIZER sucht CHOSEN von POSSIBILITIES für PURPOSE aus.
  1. COGNIZER picks out CHOSEN.
  2. COGNIZER picks out CHOSEN from POSSIBILITIES.
  3. COGNIZER picks out CHOSEN for PURPOSE.
  4. COGNIZER picks out CHOSEN from POSSIBILITIES for PURPOSE.
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Details:

to pick something out

This verb is used similarly to its English counterpart. A Cognizer picks out the Chosen from a number of Possibilities for a specific Purpose. When a Cognizer chooses between Possibilities that are related to an election, the verb "wählen" is used more frequently.

Sie sucht sich ein Bonbon aus. / She picks out one piece of candy.

Pixabay license, via Pixabay.com

Further details:

Synonyms:

"auswählen," "wählen," "erwählen," "sich etwas / jemanden ausgucken, auskucken"

More information in DWDS, the digital dictionary of the German language:

„aussuchen“, bereitgestellt durch das Digitale Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache, <https://www.dwds.de/wb/aussuchen>, abgerufen am 18.01.2022.

 

This word is part of the vocabulary for the Goethe-Zertifikat B1.

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Alternate Forms:

(er) sucht (sich) etwas aus, suchte (sich) etwas aus, hat (sich) etwas ausgesucht
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Auswahl, die noun selection, variety

Details:

selection, variety

This noun can refer to either the act of "selection" (i.e. the process of choosing), as in (1), or to a set of options available to the Cognizer. When used in this latter sense, it may encodes the frame element Possibilities. These Possibilities can be either entities or courses of action. The German noun does not have a plural form.

Bei diesem Angebot fällt die Auswahl schwer. / It is difficult to choose from this variety.

Pixabay license, via Pixabay.com

Further details:

Word formation:

"die Auswahlmannschaft" ("representative team"), "der Auswahlprozess" ("selection process"), "das Auswahlverfahren" ("selection method," "selection method," "selection process"), "die Auswahlkriterien (pl.)" ("selection criteria"), "die Literaturauswahl" ("book selection"), "die Olympiaauswahl" ("Olympic team"), among others

Synonyms:

"die Auslese," "die Selektion"

More information in DWDS, the digital dictionary of the German language:

„Auswahl“, bereitgestellt durch das Digitale Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache, <https://www.dwds.de/wb/Auswahl>, abgerufen am 18.01.2022.

 

This word is part of the vocabulary for the Goethe-Zertifikat B1.

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Example Sentences:

  1. Die Auswahl der Songs ist schwer gefallen.
  2. Unis haben laut Gesetz mehr Freiheit bei der Auswahl ihrer Studenten.
  3. Eine Jury entscheidet über die Auswahl der besten Autoren.
  4. Wir müssen eine Auswahl aus den Büchern treffen.
  5. Das Geschäft hat eine große Auswahl.
  1. The selection of songs has been difficult.
  2. Universities have by law more freedom in the selection of their students.
  3. A jury decides on the selection of the best authors.
  4. We have to make a selection from the books.
  5. The store has a big selection.
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Templates with Frame Elements:

  1. [die Auswahl CHOSEN.genitive]
  2. [eine Auswahl POSSIBILITIES.genitive]
  3. COGNIZER entscheidet über die Auswahl POSSIBILITIES.genitive.
  1. [the selection of CHOSEN]
  2. [a selection of POSSIBILITIES]
  3. COGNIZER decides about the selection of POSSIBILITIES.
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Details:

selection, variety

This noun can refer to either the act of "selection" (i.e. the process of choosing), as in (1), or to a set of options available to the Cognizer. When used in this latter sense, it may encodes the frame element Possibilities. These Possibilities can be either entities or courses of action. The German noun does not have a plural form.

Bei diesem Angebot fällt die Auswahl schwer. / It is difficult to choose from this variety.

Pixabay license, via Pixabay.com

Further details:

Word formation:

"die Auswahlmannschaft" ("representative team"), "der Auswahlprozess" ("selection process"), "das Auswahlverfahren" ("selection method," "selection method," "selection process"), "die Auswahlkriterien (pl.)" ("selection criteria"), "die Literaturauswahl" ("book selection"), "die Olympiaauswahl" ("Olympic team"), among others

Synonyms:

"die Auslese," "die Selektion"

More information in DWDS, the digital dictionary of the German language:

„Auswahl“, bereitgestellt durch das Digitale Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache, <https://www.dwds.de/wb/Auswahl>, abgerufen am 18.01.2022.

 

This word is part of the vocabulary for the Goethe-Zertifikat B1.

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beschließen verb to decide

Details:

to decide

This verb is used to describe an act where a decision is made. Often this act includes prior disputes between Cognizers over a Purpose. These decisions can also include Explanations from all parties involved.

This verb is often followed by a comma and a clause that conveys the decision made by the Cognizer. This clause could begin with a conjunction, but more often, it is simply an infinitive clause (see der Infinitivsatz). Examples (1) - (3) show how this works. Note that the past forms of this verb use the double "s" rather than the "ß:" "sie beschlossen" ("they decided").

Sie beschließen, die Bewerberin einzustellen. / They decide to hire the job applicant.

Pixabay license, via Pixabay.com

Further details:

Word formation:

"der Beschluss" ("decision")

Synonyms:

"bestimmen," "determinieren," "entscheiden," "festlegen," "vereinbaren"

More information in DWDS, the digital dictionary of the German language:

„beschließen“, bereitgestellt durch das Digitale Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache, <https://www.dwds.de/wb/beschlie%C3%9Fen>, abgerufen am 18.01.2022.

 

This word is part of the vocabulary for the Goethe-Zertifikat B1.

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Example Sentences:

  1. Das Paar beschließt, die Hochzeit abzubrechen.
  2. Wir beschlossen, die Garage etwas größer zu bauen.
  3. Ich beschloss, mein Leben völlig zu ändern.
  4. Der Abschluss des Zukunftspakts war die Voraussetzung für den Investitionsplan des Autobauers bis 2021, über den der Aufsichtsrat am Freitag in Wolfsburg beraten und vor allem beschließen sollte.
  5. Wir haben beschlossen, uns ein kleineres Auto zu kaufen.
  6. Das Parlament hat ein neues Gesetz beschlossen.
  1. The couple decides to stop the wedding.
  2. We decided to build the garage a little bigger.
  3. I decided to change my life completely.
  4. The conclusion of the Future Pact was the condition for the investment plan of the automaker until 2021, about which the  board of directors on Friday in Wolfsburg was supposed to deliberate and above all decide.
  5. We have decided to buy a smaller car.
  6. The parliament passed a new law.
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Templates with Frame Elements:

  1. COGNIZER beschließt.
  2. COGNIZER beschließt, CHOSEN.Infinitivsatz.
  3. COGNIZER beschließt über TOPIC.
  1. COGNIZER decides.
  2. COGNIZER decides, CHOSEN.infinitive clause.
  3. COGNIZER  decides about TOPIC.
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Details:

to decide

This verb is used to describe an act where a decision is made. Often this act includes prior disputes between Cognizers over a Purpose. These decisions can also include Explanations from all parties involved.

This verb is often followed by a comma and a clause that conveys the decision made by the Cognizer. This clause could begin with a conjunction, but more often, it is simply an infinitive clause (see der Infinitivsatz). Examples (1) - (3) show how this works. Note that the past forms of this verb use the double "s" rather than the "ß:" "sie beschlossen" ("they decided").

Sie beschließen, die Bewerberin einzustellen. / They decide to hire the job applicant.

Pixabay license, via Pixabay.com

Further details:

Word formation:

"der Beschluss" ("decision")

Synonyms:

"bestimmen," "determinieren," "entscheiden," "festlegen," "vereinbaren"

More information in DWDS, the digital dictionary of the German language:

„beschließen“, bereitgestellt durch das Digitale Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache, <https://www.dwds.de/wb/beschlie%C3%9Fen>, abgerufen am 18.01.2022.

 

This word is part of the vocabulary for the Goethe-Zertifikat B1.

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Alternate Forms:

(er) beschließt, beschloss, hat beschlossen
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entscheiden: sich entscheiden verb to decide

Details:

to decide

This verb is used to describe a situation where Cognizers decide on a Purpose after debating on a range of Possibilities. Using the conjunction "ob" ("whether"), the Possibilities can be introduced in a dependent clause, e.g. "Er muss sich entscheiden, ob er bleibt (oder geht)," "He must decide whether he is staying (or going)." In English we can sometimes use the verb "to opt" to describe this verb more accurately, as in example (3).

It is possible (but not as common) to use this verb without the reflexive pronoun. 

Sie müssen sich für einen Weg entscheiden. / They have to decide which trail to follow.