The table below sets out the endings for adjectives in this situation. If an attributive adjective has weak declension, you simply add an -e or an -en to the end of the adjective depending on the case of the noun that the adjective modifies. Weak declension describes the declension of adjectives that are preceded by a definite article or der-word, e.g. The strong adjective endings are nearly the same as the der-word endings, with the exception of masculine and neuter adjectives in the genitive case (both marked in bold). Strong declension describes the declension of adjectives that are not preceded by either a definite or indefinite article (e.g. Sometimes nouns have no article, in which case adjectives provide the primary case ending. Indefinite articles and ein-words provide primary case endings outside of Oklahoma. Definite articles and der-words always provide a primary case ending. The guiding principle for adjective endings is that a noun, whenever possible, should have a primary case ending. Mixed declension (an indefinite article or ein-word precedes the adjective).Weak declension (a definite article or der-word precedes the adjective).Strong declension (no article preceding the adjective).The manner in which adjectives are declined depends on what precedes them: There are three forms of declension that you must learn for attributive adjectives. This section makes use of the Oklahoma mnemonic, which denotes the fields of nominative masculine nominative neuter accusative neuter nominative feminine and accusative feminine, which resemble the state of Oklahoma in the tables used below. Proper use of adjective endings, especially in speaking, will come with repeated use. It is best to commit the declension tables to memory, while attempting to speak independently. Declension of adjectives is frequently cited as one of the hardest topics for new students to learn. Learning the adjective endings for attributive adjectives is an important aspect of the study of German. In the example above, the adjective modifies the verb laufen (läuft is the third person singular conjugation of the verb) and accordingly, it acts like an adverb.Īdverbial adjectives, like adverbs, are not declined. In German, any adjective can be used as an adverb. That is, the adverbial adjective modifies a verb or an adjective. This verb links the subject (Der große Mann) with the adjective (lustig).Īnother example of a predicative adjective using the adjective groß:Īn adverbial adjective is an adjective that performs the function of an adverb in a sentence. In the example above, the copulative verb is sein (to be). A copulative verb links the subject of a sentence with an adjective or a noun. You can determine what function an adjective plays in a sentence by looking at what the adjective modifies.Īn attributive adjective precedes the noun it describes it directly modifies the noun.Īttributive adjectives are always declined.Ī predicative adjective follows a copulative verb (for example, sein, bleiben, werden) in a sentence. The predicative and adverbial functions are not declined. Numbers are also adjectives, though they do not decline.Īdjectives can have three functions in a sentence:Īn adjective is only declined when it is attributive. Most adjectives are stand-alone words however, present and past participles can also be used as adjectives. Ich will nicht dieses Armband kaufen, sondern jenes.Adjectives are words that describe nouns. I don't want to buy this bracelet, but that one. Although the pronoun "jener" means "that", it is really only used in certain formal registers or to contrast with "dieser", which should otherwise be used to translate "that": Refers to something that is far or farther in time or distance. When placed in front of a noun, it declines as follows: It corresponds to English "this", but as it is used in contexts where the difference between near and distant is not crucial, it often equates to English "that". Refers to something that is near or nearer in time or distance. Definition: Demonstrative adjectives are: dieser and jener.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |