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Grammar Notes - Impersonal Verbs and Constructions

 

Impersonal Verbs

Some Verbs, like to rain, to snow, regnen and schneien are so-called Impersonal Verbs, as their usual subject is it (es). Here are examples:

Is it still raining out there? Regnet's noch draussen?
It's been blowing and snowing for a week!

Es stürmt und schneit schon seit acht Tagen!

 

 

Impersonal Constructions

 

 

Es gibt + Direct Object

The German version of the impersonal construction there is/there are + Subject is frequently: es gibt + Direct Object. Es gibt is therefore always followed by the Accusative Case, for example:

Is there any staff development here?

Gibt es bei Ihnen einen Fortbildungsweg?
Let's see what there is Schauen wir mal was es gibt
There's only hot rasperries with vanilla ice left Es gibt nur noch heisse Himbeeren mit Vanilleeis.

 

Introductory 'Es'

Es can introduce a number of other impersonal constructions.

It can be followed by the Reflexive Pronoun or by the Subject Case.

Look at the German Verbs in the following examples and check out the English equivalents.
What do you notice? Complete the following:

  1. English 'overworks' the Verb ___. German chooses ____ only where truly appropriate.
  2. Just as English uses: there is and there are, German uses: ____ and ____.

The Solution is below.

I'm pleased to meet you Es freut mich, Sie kennenzulernen
There's a message for you Es ist eine Nachricht für Sie da
How are you today? Wie geht's dir heute?

I'm sorry

 Es tut mir leid
There's a man at the door Es steht ein Mann an der Tür
There are two letters for you Es sind zwei Briefe für Sie

 

Solution: Introductory 'Es'

  1. English 'overworks' the Verb to be. German chooses sein only where truly appropriate.
  2. Just as English uses: there is and there are, German uses: es ist and es sind.

 

Test yourself!

Try the following:

    Print out the table for the grammar point you are working on and fold it into 2 vertically. You will then be able to check your recall of the English and German examples by folding and unfolding the paper.

Created for ULTRALAB trial June 1999
Copyright ULTRALAB at Anglia Polytechnic University