Top German B1 Grammar Topics (Updated 2025)

Introduction

Learning German can open up a world of academic, professional, and cultural opportunities. If you’ve already achieved the A1 and A2 levels, you’re ready to step into the B1 stage of the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). At this level, you move from being a basic learner to an independent speaker, capable of engaging in day-to-day conversations, handling travel scenarios in German-speaking countries, and expressing your thoughts and opinions on familiar topics.

Achieving German B1 certification is also a crucial milestone for students aspiring to study in Germany, especially if they are applying for English-taught programs at universities. However, reaching this stage requires a stronger grip on grammar, as it plays a key role in both your written and spoken communication.

In this blog, we will break down the essential German B1 grammar topics you must master—covering tenses, cases, prepositions, modal verbs, conjunctions, and more—to help you prepare effectively for the Goethe exam and boost your fluency.

What is German B1?

German B1 is the third level in the six level language proficiency system. Those who attain the B1 level will be able to :

• Indulge in communication that require a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters.
• Describe events, dreams, hopes etc
• Give opinion and explain plans
• Handle situations whilst travelling in German speaking areas

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German B1 Grammar Topics

B1 level German requires a solid understanding of German grammar rules. You should be able to use these rules appropriately in conversation and writing. Some of the key grammar topics in B1 level are:

Tenses:

Use present, past and Futur I tenses, along with  past perfect accurately. Futur I is formed using the auxiliary verb “werden” followed by the infinitive form of the main verb. “werden” is conjugated according to the subject of the sentence.

Example: Ich werde morgen arbeiten.

Verbs:

In B1 level, you learn clauses with ”zu”. It is used to indicate purpose, direction or movement towards a place, person, or object. You can also make infinitive and subordinate clauses with ”zu”.

Example:

Ich gebe das Buch zu meiner Freundin

Cases:

The nominative, accusative, dative and genitive are the four cases in German. These cases indicate the following:

• Nominative – doer of the action
• Accusative – direct object
• Dative – indirect object
• Genitive – possessive relationship between two consecutive nouns

Example:

Der Mann spielt Tennis

Wen sehe ich?

Preposition:

In German, prepositions are used with verbs and adjectives. These prepositions behave like normal prepositions. Verbs with prepositions are used to express specific emotions.

Example:

achten auf (+dat.),

Sie ist sehr stolz auf ihre Tochter

Passive Voice:

Learn to form and use the passive voice correctly. It is formed using werden and the past participle of the verb.

Adverbs:

Clause-connecting adverbials, known as Nebensatzanschlüsse in German. It is used to connect two main clauses together. It is typically placed at the beginning of the second main clause and seperated by a comma.

Examples:  Deshalb,  Außerdem, Trotzdem, Schließlich

Prepositional & Pronominal Adverbs are of the form ‘Wo + preposition’ and ‘Da + preposition’. The former is used when asking questions for clarification or to introduce a subordinate clause. The latter acts as a pronoun.

Examples: Wofür ist das?, Ich habe ihm davon erzählt.

Conjunctive adverbs like darum, deshalb, daher, and deswegen combine an independent clause describing a reason with an independent clause describing a consequence.

Example: Ich mag Eis, deshalb esse ich jeden Tag zwei Eis.

Nouns

N-declension, also known as the “weak declension” is a type of declension that is used for masculine nouns in German.

Example:

When “Junge” is declined, it changes as follows:

• Nominative: der Junge (the boy)
• Accusative: den Jungen (the boy)
• Dative: dem Jungen (to the boy)
• Genitive: des Jungen (of the boy)

Words becoming nouns: In German, verbs can be transformed into nouns by adding the definite article “das“. They are similar to the gerund form in English.

Example:

das Einkaufen

Participles

In German, we can use the present or past participle as an adjective or an adverb to show two actions in one sentence. This helps us to avoid the second sentence. Learn the situations and rules of using the participle forms as an adjective or adverb.

Example:

Ein kaputtes Auto hat den Stau verursacht.

Indirect Speech with the subjunctive “sei”

In German, the subjunctive “sei” is used to change direct speech into indirect speech. It is done by removing the final “-n” from the infinitive.

Example:

Er sagt, er wolle uns helfen.

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