{"id":19603,"date":"2019-01-20T04:23:33","date_gmt":"2019-01-20T14:23:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/resources.german.lsa.umich.edu\/?page_id=19603"},"modified":"2025-08-27T13:40:10","modified_gmt":"2025-08-27T13:40:10","slug":"erweitert","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sites.lsa.umich.edu\/german-resources\/grammatik\/erweitert\/","title":{"rendered":"Erweiterte Adjektive"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Erweiterte Adjektive [Extended Adjectives]<\/h1>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Practice Exercises<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
Participles as Adjectives<\/a><\/td>Extended Adjectives<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
More Examples of Extended Adjectives<\/a><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>Practice Exercises<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Present or Past Participle<\/a> Choose whether the English expression is best translated with a present or a past participle<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Relativs\u00e4tze ==> Erweiterte Adjektive 1<\/a> Turn the short relative clauses in this exercise into extended adjectives<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Relativs\u00e4tze ==> Erweiterte Adjektive 2<\/a> Turn the longer relative clauses in this exercise into extended adjectives<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Deutsch ==> Englisch<\/a> Choose the best translations for the extended adjectives in this exercise<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gefr\u00e4\u00dfige [=voracious] Wundheiler<\/a> Choose the best translations for the extended adjectives in this article about a stunningly gross way of treating wounds that won’t heal easily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Englisch ==> Deutsch<\/a> Come up with extended adjectives to translate these English sentences<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>Participles as Adjectives<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Present
Participle:<\/td>		kochen ==> kochend<\/td>das kochende Ei<\/td>the boiling egg<\/td><\/tr>
Past
Participle:<\/td>		kochen ==> gekocht<\/td>das gekochte Ei<\/td>the boiled egg<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Reminder\/Warning about Present Participles<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Although the present participle is the counterpart to the English –ing<\/strong> form, it is very rarely used<\/strong>, except as an adjective in the manner described on this page. Thus you should still ordinarily express -ing forms with the regular present or past tense in German:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ich gehe<\/td>I am going\/I go;<\/td><\/tr>
Ich ging or<\/strong> Ich bin gegangen<\/td>I went\/I was going<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Note on Past Participles<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Past participles of intransitive <\/strong>verbs (verbs that cannot take an object–see this grammar terminology page<\/a> for a few examples) have an “active<\/strong>” meaning as adjectives (i.e. if <\/strong>they can be used as adjectives at all):<\/p>\n\n\n\n

der angekommene<\/strong> Zug<\/td>the train that had arrived<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
die ausgeschlafene<\/strong> Studentin<\/td>the well-rested<\/strong> student (the student who got enough sleep<\/strong>)<\/td><\/tr>
das gestorbene<\/strong> Schaf<\/td>the dead<\/strong> sheep (the sheep that died<\/strong>)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Past participles of transitive verbs (which can take an object) have a “passive” meaning as adjectives:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

das verbrannte<\/strong> Schloss<\/td>the burned<\/strong> castle (the castle that was burned<\/strong>)<\/td><\/tr>
der verkaufte<\/strong> SPAM<\/td>the SPAM that was sold<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
das get\u00f6tete<\/strong> Schaf<\/td>the sheep that was killed<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Some examples contrasting present and past participles<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

das sinkende<\/strong> Schiff<\/td>the sinking<\/strong> ship<\/td><\/tr>
das gesunkene<\/strong> Schiff<\/td>the sunken<\/strong> ship<\/td><\/tr>
der sterbende<\/strong> Tenor<\/td>the dying<\/strong> tenor<\/td><\/tr>
der gestorbene<\/strong> Tenor<\/td>the dead<\/strong> tenor<\/td><\/tr>
die schlafenden<\/strong> Hunde<\/td>the sleeping<\/strong> dogs<\/td><\/tr>
die geschlafenen<\/strong> Hunde<\/s><\/td>[makes no sense]<\/td><\/tr>
das verlierende<\/strong> Paradies<\/s><\/td>[makes no sense]<\/td><\/tr>
das verlorene<\/strong> Paradies<\/td>the lost<\/strong> paradise<\/td><\/tr>
eine aussterbende<\/strong> Kultur<\/td>a dying<\/strong> culture [dying out<\/strong>]<\/td><\/tr>
eine ausgestorbene<\/strong> Kultur<\/td>an extinct<\/strong> culture [died out<\/strong>]<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>Extended Adjectives<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

[also called\u00a0extended participles=erweiterte Partizipien<\/strong>, or e.g. erweiterte Partizipialattribute]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Adjectives formed from participles can be extended quite freely by adding e.g. adverbs (schnell, allerdings, genau, gern…) and prepositional phrases (von mir, mit der Hand, unter dem Bett, ohne zu atmen, anhand eines Kalenders, trotz aller Warnungen…) in front of the participle<\/p>\n\n\n\n

das sinkende<\/strong> Schiff ==><\/td>das schnell sinkende<\/strong> Schiff ==><\/td>das trotz aller Bem\u00fchungen schnell sinkende<\/strong> Schiff ==> …<\/td><\/tr>
the sinking<\/strong> ship ==><\/td>the quickly sinking<\/strong> ship ==><\/td>the despite-all-efforts-quickly-sinking<\/strong> ship ==> …<\/td><\/tr>
ein zerbrochener<\/strong> Stift ==><\/td>ein von mir zerbrochener<\/strong> Stift ==><\/td>ein von mir aus Wut absichtlich zerbrochener<\/strong> Stift ==> …<\/td><\/tr>
a broken<\/strong> pen
==><\/td>		a by-me-broken<\/strong> pen ==><\/td>a by-me-out-of-anger-purposely-broken<\/strong> pen ==> …<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

2. To translate an extended adjective into “proper” English, use a relative clause and go backwards<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ein (1) von mir aus Wut (2) absichtlich (3) zerbrochener (4) Stift<\/td><\/tr>
a (4) pen, (3) which was broken (2) on purpose (1) by me out of anger<\/td><\/tr>
das (1) trotz aller Bem\u00fchungen (2) schnell (3) sinkende (4) Schiff<\/td><\/tr>
the (4) ship, (3) which was sinking (2) quickly (1) despite all efforts<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

3. A noun can be modified by several adjectives, and this remains true if one or more of these adjectives is an extended adjective. The extended adjective may precede or follow the “unextended” ones:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Der schnelle, von meiner Mutter anl\u00e4sslich meines Geburtstags gekaufte<\/strong> Hund<\/td>The fast, by-my-mother-on-the-occasion-of-my-birthday-bought
dog<\/td><\/tr>
Der von meiner Mutter anl\u00e4sslich meines Geburtstags gekaufte<\/strong>, schnelle Hund<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

4. Adjectives<\/strong>, which describe nouns, take adjective endings<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adverbs<\/strong>, which describe verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, do not take endings<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Compare:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Der schnell<\/strong> laufende Hund<\/td>The quickly<\/strong> running dog<\/td><\/tr>
Der schnelle<\/strong>, laufende Hund<\/td>The quick<\/strong>, running dog<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In the first case, “schnell” refers to “laufen”: the dog is running–how?–quickly. “Schnell” is thus an adverb, and takes no ending. In the second case, “schnelle” and “laufende” both refer directly to the dog: it is quick, and it is running. Hence both are adjectives and take adjective endings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Der von meiner Mutter anl\u00e4sslich meines Geburtstags gekaufte, schnelle<\/strong> Hund<\/td><\/tr>
Der von meiner Mutter anl\u00e4sslich meines Geburtstags schnell<\/strong> gekaufte Hund<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first dog is quick<\/strong>, and was bought by my mother for my birthday; the second dog was bought quickly<\/strong> by my mother for my birthday. This second dog may or may not be quick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Although extended adjectives usually involve (present or past) participles, extended adjectives can also be formed without participles<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Der “Merlion<\/a>” ist eine von weitem deutlich sichtbare<\/strong> Statue im Hafen von Singapur.<\/td>The “Merlion” is a from-far-away-clearly-visible<\/strong> statue in the Singapore harbor.<\/td><\/tr>
Trotz ihrem f\u00fcr die meisten Menschen extrem unangenehmen<\/strong> Geruch hat die Durian<\/a> einen f\u00fcr viele unwiderstehlich guten<\/strong> und einzigartigen Geschmack.<\/td>Despite its for-most-people-extremely-unpleasant<\/strong> odor, the durian (fruit) has a for-many-irresistibly-good<\/strong> and unique taste.<\/td><\/tr>
Die “Supertree Grove” in den “Gardens by the Bay<\/a>” ist eine meiner Meinung nach besonders einzigartige<\/strong> Sehensw\u00fcrdigkeit Singapurs.<\/td>The “Supertree Grove” in the “Gardens by the Bay” is an in-my-opinion-especially-unique<\/strong> sight in Singapore.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

6. The combination zu + present participle<\/strong> indicates that the action indicated by the verb can be done, is to be done<\/strong>, or must be done<\/strong>. With an adverb it indicates how<\/strong> the action is to be done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

…ein noch zu bestimmender<\/strong> Redner…<\/td>…a still-to-be-determined<\/strong> speaker<\/td><\/tr>
…das links im Bild zu sehende<\/strong> Insekt…<\/td>…the insect that can be seen on the left side of the picture<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
…eine ernst zu nehmende<\/strong> Bedrohung<\/td>…a threat that must be taken seriously<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
…eine nicht zu missachtende<\/strong> M\u00f6glichkeit<\/td>…a possibility that cannot\/must not be ignored<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>More Examples of Extended Adjectives<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Die erst vor kurzem ge\u00f6ffnete<\/strong> Grenze wurde wieder geschlossen.<\/td>The border, which had been opened only recently<\/strong> (the only-recently-opened<\/strong> border) was closed again.<\/td><\/tr>
Barney a\u00df das laut um Hilfe schreiende<\/strong> Kind.<\/td>Barney ate the child, which was screaming loudly for help<\/strong> (the loudly-for-help-screaming<\/strong> child).<\/td><\/tr>
Barney a\u00df das laute, um Hilfe schreiende<\/strong> Kind.<\/td>Barney ate the loud child, which was screaming for help<\/strong> (the loud, for-help-screaming<\/strong> child).<\/td><\/tr>
Zu diesem Zweck wird die noch nicht vollkommen entwickelte<\/strong> Knospe ge\u00f6ffnet.<\/td>For this purpose the not yet fully developed<\/strong> bud is opened.<\/td><\/tr>
Die soeben besprochenen<\/strong> Ergebnisse fasste Mendel in zwei Gesetze zusammen.<\/td>Mendel summarized the just discussed<\/strong> results in two laws.<\/td><\/tr>
Die von einigen Astronomen vor Jahren beobachteten<\/strong> “Kan\u00e4le” auf dem Mars waren eine Entt\u00e4uschung.<\/td>The canals on Mars, which were observed by some astronomers years ago<\/strong> (the by-some-astronomers-years-ago-observed<\/strong> canals on Mars), were a disappointment.<\/td><\/tr>
K\u00fcchenschaben und Schildkr\u00f6ten k\u00f6nnen unter den von Wissenschaftlern auf der Erde simulierten<\/strong> atmosph\u00e4rischen Verh\u00e4ltnissen des Mars \u00fcberleben.<\/td>Cockroaches and turtles can survive under the atmospheric conditions of Mars, which were simulated by scientists on earth<\/strong> (the by-scientists-on-earth-simulated<\/strong> atmospheric conditions of Mars).<\/td><\/tr>
Von dort sind sie auf schwer zu ergr\u00fcndenden<\/strong> Wegen in die ganze Welt gewandert.<\/td>From there they migrated into the whole world on paths which are difficult to fathom<\/strong> [on difficult-to-fathom<\/strong> paths].<\/td><\/tr>
Man hat darin eine Analogie zu der vermutlich gleich unwahrscheinlichen, aber nicht ganz und gar unm\u00f6glichen<\/strong> konvergenten Evolution von Intelligenz gesehen (Note: “vermutlich gleich unwahrscheinlich” and “nicht ganz und gar unm\u00f6glich” both modify “konvergente Evolution” in this example. Neither of them involves a participle!).<\/td>One has seen in this an analogy to the convergent evolution of intelligence, which is probably equally improbable, but not entirely impossible<\/strong> (the probably-equally-improbable-but-not-entirely-impossible<\/strong> convergent evolution of intelligence).<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Practice Exercises Participles as Adjectives Extended Adjectives More Examples of Extended Adjectives Practice Exercises Present or Past Participle Choose whether the English expression is best translated with a present or a past participle Relativs\u00e4tze ==> Erweiterte Adjektive 1 Turn the short relative clauses in this exercise into extended adjectives Relativs\u00e4tze ==> Erweiterte Adjektive 2 Turn… Continue reading Erweiterte Adjektive<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":44,"featured_media":0,"parent":19599,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"tw-no-title.php","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-19603","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","entry"],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":false,"thumbnail":false,"medium":false,"medium_large":false,"large":false,"1536x1536":false,"2048x2048":false,"post-thumbnail":false},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Jessica Darga","author_link":"https:\/\/sites.lsa.umich.edu\/german-resources\/author\/jadarga\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Practice Exercises Participles as Adjectives Extended Adjectives More Examples of Extended Adjectives Practice Exercises Present or Past Participle Choose whether the English expression is best translated with a present or a past participle Relativs\u00e4tze ==> Erweiterte Adjektive 1 Turn the short relative clauses in this exercise into extended adjectives Relativs\u00e4tze ==> Erweiterte Adjektive 2 Turn……","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.lsa.umich.edu\/german-resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/19603","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.lsa.umich.edu\/german-resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.lsa.umich.edu\/german-resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.lsa.umich.edu\/german-resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/44"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.lsa.umich.edu\/german-resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19603"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/sites.lsa.umich.edu\/german-resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/19603\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":45330,"href":"https:\/\/sites.lsa.umich.edu\/german-resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/19603\/revisions\/45330"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.lsa.umich.edu\/german-resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/19599"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.lsa.umich.edu\/german-resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19603"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}