C1 · Extended attributes

der für den Fall verantwortliche Richter

an adjective with its phrase before the noun

FormArtikel + Präposition … + Adjektiv + Endung + Nomen

Meaning and usage

Adjectives that take a preposition can bring that phrase with them in front of the noun: ein bei Touristen beliebtes Ziel (a destination popular with tourists), der für den Fall verantwortliche Richter (the judge responsible for the case). English puts the phrase after the noun; German puts it between the article and the adjective.

The adjective keeps its own preposition (verantwortlich für, reich an, bekannt für) and stands last, right before the noun, with the usual ending. Unpacked, it is a relative clause with sein: die Länder, die an Rohstoffen reich sind. Formal writing uses this to pack a description into the noun phrase.

Examples 5

Test yourself

  1. 1 Sprachbausteine

    Das ist ein Gericht.

    Show answer

    Correct answer: für Bayern typisches

    typisch für moves in front of the noun as one block: the phrase first, then the adjective with its ending. After ein, the neuter noun Gericht needs -es: ein für Bayern typisches Gericht.

    • typisches für Bayern The adjective must stand right before the noun; its phrase goes in front of it, not after.
    • für Bayern typische After ein, a neuter noun like Gericht needs -es, not -e.
    • für Bayern typischen After ein, a neuter noun like Gericht needs -es, not -en.

In this topic: Extended attributes

  1. die von der Regierung beschlossenen Maßnahmen a participle phrase before the noun: done to it
  2. das auf dem Sofa schlafende Kind a participle phrase before the noun: the noun does it
  3. der für den Fall verantwortliche Richter an adjective with its phrase before the noun

Example sentences from Tatoeba, used under CC BY 2.0 FR. See sources.

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