Is there any difference between '(an)statt' and 'anstelle' von for 'instead of'? Hi, is there any difference between '(an)statt' and 'anstelle von' for saying 'instead of'? I remember reading that 'anstelle von' was used with a noun, ie, 'nehme ich Honig anstelle von Zucker' but I cannot find anything that explains when to use (an)statt? Can you use (an)statt with a noun, a verb or both? Hope someone can help and thank you very much. Gem

Does this sentence need the passive? Hi to everyone, I'd be very grateful for someone's help with the following. Does this sentence need the passive? 'They were married for five years' Sie waren für / seit fünf Jahren verheiratet Sie wurden für / seit fünf Jahren verheiratet Also, does the use of 'seit' make a difference here, given that it implies something is carrying on into the present? Thanks so much Gemma

How do I say 'to laugh at' rather than to 'laugh with'? Hi I'm not sure whether these are even phrases in German. In English we say 'to laugh AT''someone rather than 'to laugh WITH' someone, meaning that they are the butt of the joke. How do I say these in German? Hope someone can help. Thank you! Gemma

Which translation is correct? Hi there! Just a very quick question I hope someone may be able to help with. Which of the folowing translations of the folowing sentence is correct; His old car remains a reliable car 1. Sein alter Wagen bleibt ein zuverlässigER Wagen 1. Sein alter Wagen bleibt einEN zuverlässigEN Wagen Vielen Dank! Gemma

Why is this sentence incorrect? I hope that someone may be able to help with the following sentence; ‘The woman, to whom the dog belongs, is young’ I’d translate it as follows; die Frau, der DEN Hund gehört, ist jung my reasoning being that the dog is the object of the subclause (as it is owned by the woman who is the subject) and so is ‘den Hund’ however, I understand this to be incorrect and that it should be as follows; die Frau, der DER Hund gehört, ist reich Sorry if I'm (as usual) missing something obvious and however, I don’t see how this can be correct and hope very much that someone can explain it to me (I'd be very grateful!). Thanks Gemma

How do I say 'I left school' Hi there, just a quick question, how do I say 'I left school' in the context of 'it is many years since he left school' There's so many different words for 'to leave' I've absolutely no idea the correct way to say it! Thanks Gem

Another relative pronoun question I’ve got another question regarding relative pronouns, this time where to put the verb in a rather long sentence. In the following sentence, does the verb ‘GEKAUFT’ go at the end of the first clause, or at the end of the second clause after the relative pronoun? ‘Die Frau hat eine Pflanze und einen Blumentopf [GEKAUFT], in der sie zu stehen und auch eine Blume für den Garten [GEKAUFT]’ (The woman bought a plant and a plant pot in which to stand it and also a flower for the garden) I know it would be easier to use the imperfect ‘KAUFTE’ but I’m currently practising the perfect tense and need to know how you’d form the sentence with hat . . . . . gekauft I’m guessing the verb would be at the end of the first clause as the sentence (and the wait for the verb) seems a bit too long to have it at end of second clause, but would once again appreciate someone’s expertise on this one. Thanks

Is this translation correct? I would be grateful if someone could correct the following translation; 'That is the book, which belongs to his wife' 'Das ist das Buch, dem seine Frau gehört' I know that 'gehört' takes the dative, so as the relative pronoun it is referring to is the book (das) I have used the dative word for das (dem)?? Also is ending 'e' correct on 'seinE Frau'?? Or, on second thoughts, as it is effectively saying 'to his wife' should it be 'seinER Frau' Got a bit confused on this one, so any explanations would be appreciated. Thanks Gem

Question on use of dative and word for 'equipment' Hello, I wonder if someone could help with the following two questions; 1. ‘Wie spart ihr denn zu Hause Energie?’ Why is the dative ‘ihr’, tather than ‘Sie’ used here? This doesn’t seem to imply ‘to you’ which would indicate that the dative should be used and the dictionary definition doesn’t indicate use of the dative either. 2. Is their any difference in use between ‘Ausrüstung’ and ‘Geräte’ for the word ‘equipment’. For example,which would I use in the following; Gym (Fitnesszentrum) equipment Safety equipment Thanks very much for your help Gemma