Is there a mood difference between the two singular imperative forms?

Question

In German the additional -e is optional in the singular imperative, say: probier! vs. probiere!

Is there a full-on mood difference here or is it just a small matter of taste and nuance?

score 2 · Answer 1 · edited Jun 17 '20 at 08:52

2

I can't think of anyone using Probiere! as a command. It's too short to make it sound soft. The longer the phrase is, and the softer the tone is, the more likely someone uses the -e form.

Probier was anderes! (harsh speech)

Probiere was anderes. (soft speech)

Adding a particle changes the mood far better:

Probier doch was anderes. (most likely: soft speech)

edited Jun 17 '20 at 08:52

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answered Oct 06 '17 at 16:09

Janka

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Probier mal! - Beim Kochen. – tofro Oct 06 '17 at 16:13
Probiere mal. is also possible but should be accompanied by a soft tone. – Janka Oct 06 '17 at 16:15

Is there a mood difference between the two singular imperative forms?

1 Answers1