German - Giving Examples

Lesson 41 of 158

German learner practicing example phrases for explanations and hypotheticals, useful for B1 conversation.

Goal: Phrases to introduce examples, hypotheticals, and lists

Free German lessons with guided practice, audio, and speaking support.

Welcome! This short lesson helps you present examples naturally in German — great for explanations, meetings, and conversations. Read, listen, and then try the short speaking prompts to make these phrases yours.

Level B1: In this lesson (41) you'll practice 12 useful German chunks for giving examples and hypotheticals: phrases like "Sagen wir, du ...", "Das passiert bei ..." and "Kannst du mir ein Beispiel für ... geben?". CEFR-aligned and focused on real conversation — you’ll hear the phrases in a mini-dialogue, try quick quizzes, and say each phrase aloud.

After this lesson you'll be able to:

  • Recognize and use common German frames for giving examples and hypotheticals.
  • Understand when to use phrases with "wenn", "bei" and introductory frames in spoken German.
  • Practice saying each chunk aloud to build fluency at B1 level.
Two people discussing how to introduce examples in German; lesson focuses on hypothetical and example phrases.

Ready? Let's go!

When you tap play on phrases, we track your progress through this lesson.

1. Reading + Listening Practice

Hear core phrases, repeat aloud.

Sagen wir, du ___.

Say you ___.

Meaning: Say you ___.

When to use: Use this short frame to start a simple hypothetical example in conversation.

Sagen wir, du vergisst den Termin – was würdest du tun?
Say you forget the appointment — what would you do?
Sagen wir, du bist nächste Woche im Ausland.
Say you are abroad next week.

Nehmen wir mal an, du ___.

Suppose you ___.

Meaning: Suppose you ___.

When to use: A slightly longer spoken frame to introduce a possible situation or thought experiment.

Nehmen wir mal an, du bekommst die Stelle – wie würdest du planen?
Suppose you get the job — how would you plan?
Nehmen wir mal an, du hättest mehr Zeit am Wochenende.
Suppose you had more time on the weekend.

Das passiert bei ___.

This happens with ___.

Meaning: This happens with ___.

When to use: Point to a category or situation where something commonly occurs (remember: use dative after 'bei').

Tip: Remember to use the dative after 'bei' (e.g., 'bei Kindern', not 'bei Kinder').

Das passiert bei Kindern oft, wenn sie müde sind.
This happens with children often when they are tired.
Das passiert bei langer Arbeit am Computer.
This happens with long work at the computer.

Das sieht man, wenn ___.

You see this when ___.

Meaning: You see this when ___.

When to use: Use to point to a situation where a pattern or behavior is visible; follows a subordinate clause with verb at the end.

Tip: After 'wenn' the verb often goes to the end in German subordinate clauses.

Das sieht man, wenn Leute lange warten müssen.
You see this when people have to wait a long time.
Das sieht man, wenn das Team schlecht kommuniziert.
You see this when the team communicates poorly.

Ein typisches Beispiel ist, wenn ___.

A typical case is when ___.

Meaning: A typical case is when ___.

When to use: Introduce a frequent or typical situation as an example to support your point.

Ein typisches Beispiel ist, wenn Kunden spät absagen.
A typical example is when customers cancel late.
Ein typisches Beispiel ist, wenn das Budget knapp wird.
A typical example is when the budget becomes tight.

Ich denke da an Fälle, in denen ___.

I'm thinking of cases where ___.

Meaning: I’m thinking of cases where ___.

When to use: Use to mention the specific kinds of cases you have in mind; follows 'in denen' with the verb at the end.

Tip: After 'in denen' the verb usually goes to the end of the clause.

Ich denke da an Fälle, in denen die Kommunikation fehlt.
I'm thinking of cases where communication is missing.
Ich denke da an Fälle, in denen Kunden unsicher sind.
I'm thinking of cases where customers are unsure.

Das Gleiche passiert auch bei ___.

The same thing happens in ___.

Meaning: The same thing happens in ___.

When to use: Show that a point also applies to another situation, group, or area (use dative after 'bei').

Das Gleiche passiert auch bei neuen Mitarbeitern.
The same thing happens with new employees.
Das Gleiche passiert auch bei Projekten mit knapper Zeit.
The same thing happens in projects with tight timelines.

___, ___ und so weiter.

___, ___, and so on.

Meaning: ___, ___, and so on.

When to use: List a few items quickly when you don't need a full list.

E-Mails, Anrufe und so weiter.
Emails, calls, and so on.
Kaffee, Tee und so weiter.
Coffee, tea, and so on.

___, ___ und solche Sachen.

___, ___, and things like that.

Meaning: ___, ___, and things like that.

When to use: A casual way to signal that the examples are not exhaustive; for people use 'und solche Leute'.

Stadtpark, Bibliothek und solche Sachen.
City park, library, and things like that.
Smartphones, Tablets und solche Sachen.
Smartphones, tablets, and things like that.

Es könnte zum Beispiel ___ sein.

It could be ___, for example.

Meaning: It could be ___, for example.

When to use: Offer one possible example while showing there are other possibilities.

Es könnte zum Beispiel ein Missverständnis sein.
It could be a misunderstanding, for example.
Es könnte zum Beispiel an der Software liegen.
It could be due to the software, for example.

Ein einfaches Beispiel: ___.

For a simple example, ___.

Meaning: For a simple example, ___.

When to use: Introduce a concrete, straightforward example to clarify a general point.

Ein einfaches Beispiel: Du gibst die falsche Datei weiter.
A simple example: you pass along the wrong file.
Ein einfaches Beispiel: Der Plan ändert sich kurzfristig.
A simple example: the plan changes at short notice.

Kannst du mir ein Beispiel für ___ geben?

Can you give me an example of ___?

Meaning: Can you give me an example of ___?

When to use: Ask someone to provide a specific example (note: 'für' takes the accusative).

Kannst du mir ein Beispiel für dieses Verhalten geben?
Can you give me an example of this behavior?
Kannst du mir ein Beispiel für einen guten E-Mail-Betreff geben?
Can you give me an example of a good email subject?

2. Conversational Listening Practice

Hear phrases in a real mini-conversation.

Anna and David plan a workshop and use example phrases to clarify points.

Anna and David using several example phrases in a short German dialogue about everyday situations.

What are Anna and David doing in the conversation?

Portrait of Anna in a German lesson dialogue

Anna

Nehmen wir mal an, du leitest den Workshop – wie würdest du anfangen?

Suppose you lead the workshop — how would you start?

Portrait of David in a German lesson dialogue

David

Sagen wir, du erklärst zuerst die Ziele, und dann ein Beispiel: Ein einfaches Beispiel: eine kurze Übung.

Say you explain the goals first, then an example: For a simple example: a short exercise.

Portrait of Anna in a German lesson dialogue

Anna

Das sieht man, wenn die Teilnehmer aktiv teilnehmen.

You see this when participants take part actively.

Portrait of David in a German lesson dialogue

David

Das Gleiche passiert auch bei Online-Workshops, deshalb müssen wir klar sein.

The same thing happens in online workshops, so we must be clear.

3. Guided Practice

Quizzes and matching to lock in meaning.

Which German phrase best matches 'Suppose you ...'?

Which phrase would you use to ask someone to give an example?

Which phrase means 'The same thing happens in ...'?

Which phrase is a casual way to say '..., ... and things like that'?

For a simple example: ...

To introduce one concrete, straightforward example you could say ___.

The same thing happens in ...

When you want to show that the same issue applies to another group, you'd say ___.

Can you give me an example of ...?

If you need someone to provide a specific instance of a rule, ask: ___.

Match the core phrases

Match the extra phrases

4. Speaking Practice

Say phrases yourself (mic/recording).

Recording stays on your device only. Check speech uses your browser's speech tools when available.

Say this phrase out loud:

Sagen wir, du ___.

Say you ...

Say this phrase out loud:

Nehmen wir mal an, du ___.

Suppose you ...

Say this phrase out loud:

Das passiert bei ___.

This happens with ...

Say this phrase out loud:

Das sieht man, wenn ___.

You see this when ...

Say this phrase out loud:

Ein typisches Beispiel ist, wenn ___.

A typical example is when ...

Say this phrase out loud:

Ich denke da an Fälle, in denen ___.

I'm thinking of cases where ...

Say this phrase out loud:

Das Gleiche passiert auch bei ___.

The same thing happens in ...

Say this phrase out loud:

___, ___ und so weiter.

..., ..., and so on.

Say this phrase out loud:

___, ___ und solche Sachen.

..., ... and things like that.

Say this phrase out loud:

Es könnte zum Beispiel ___ sein.

It could be ..., for example.

Say this phrase out loud:

Ein einfaches Beispiel: ___.

For a simple example: ...

Say this phrase out loud:

Kannst du mir ein Beispiel für ___ geben?

Can you give me an example of ...?