The Prefix Goes to the End

Many German verbs begin with a small prefix such as an, auf, aus, ein, mit, zu, ab, zurück, fern, los, vor or weg. In the infinitive the prefix is joined to the verb: anrufen, aufstehen, einkaufen. In a main clause, a question or a command the verb splits:

• the conjugated verb takes its normal place (second, or first in yes/no questions and commands)
• the prefix goes to the very end of the clause

Ich stehe um sechs Uhr auf. (I get up at six.)

Kommst du mit? (Are you coming along?)

The prefix changes the meaning, so read the whole sentence before you choose: das Licht anmachen (turn on) but das Licht ausmachen (turn off), die Tür aufmachen (open) but die Tür zumachen (close).