Modern German Grammar: A Practical Guide, Second Edition

(Rick Simeone) #1
Einige arme Rentner können sich nicht richtig ernähren.
Some poor pensioners are unable to feed themselves properly.

Dank vieler guter Ratschläge hat sich unser Geschäft erfolgreich
entwickelt. (see 19.4 and 20.7)
Thanks to much good advice our business has developed successfully.

 See 10.5a (p. 15) for einiges, folgendes, manches.


46.5 When viel and wenig precede singular, so-called ‘uncountable’ nouns, or when they
are used as adverbs, they are not declined, and the following adjective takes zero-
declension endings:


Viel guter Wein ist verschwendet worden.
A lot of good wine has been wasted.
Dieser Sessel ist aus wenig haltbarem Stoff gemacht.
This armchair is made of not very hard-wearing material.

 See also 48.4 (p. 127).


46.6 Note that a string of adjectives before a noun all have the same endings, whether they
take der-, zero- or ein-declension endings:


In dem Moment ist ein freundlicher alter Polizist vorbeigekommen.
At that moment a friendly old policeman came by.

Hast du schon die schönen, runden spanischen Apfelsinen gegessen?
Have you eaten the beautiful, round Spanish oranges yet?

Trockener französischer Wein schmeckt mir gar nicht.
I don’t like dry French wine at all.

In the masculine or neuter dative singular the second element may take the der-
declension ending n rather than the zero-declension m:

Der Anzug ist aus teurem italienischen Stoff.
The suit is made of expensive Italian material.

47 Other adjective types


47.1 Invariable -er ending


(a) German readily forms adjectives from the names of cities and towns by adding -er
to the place name. Adjectives thus formed have an initial capital letter and do not
decline (see 80 ):

Hast du denn das Berliner Stadtschloss schon besucht?
Have you been to Berlin Castle yet?

Die Basler Fastnacht ist ein echtes Erlebnis.
The Basel Carnival is a real experience.
Wegen des Londoner Gipfeltreffens ist diese Straße heute gesperrt.
This street is closed today because of the London summit.

Waren Sie schon im Ulmer Dom?
Have you ever been to Ulm Cathedral?

47
Other adjective types
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