German comparative sentences are used to compare two or more things, people, or actions, and express a degree of difference between them. They allow us to describe and analyze the relationships between objects or ideas, highlighting their similarities or differences. In this guide, we will explore the structure and usage of comparative sentences in the German language, providing examples and explanations to help beginners understand this concept.
The Basic Structure of Comparative Sentences
Comparative sentences in German typically consist of three main components: the subject, the comparative marker, and the object. The subject is the noun or pronoun that is being compared, the comparative marker indicates the degree of difference, and the object is the thing or concept to which the subject is being compared.
Example 1:
English: Lisa is taller than Anna.
German: Lisa ist größer als Anna.
Subject: Lisa
Comparative Marker: größer (taller)
Object: Anna
Example 2:
English: This book is more interesting than that one.
German: Dieses Buch ist interessanter als jenes.
Subject: Dieses Buch (This book)
Comparative Marker: interessanter (more interesting)
Object: jenes (that one)
Comparative Markers and Forms
In German, there are various comparative markers used to indicate the degree of difference between two objects or concepts. Here are some commonly used comparative markers and their corresponding forms:
Comparative Marker: als (than)
Example: Er ist schneller als ich. (He is faster than me.)
Comparative Marker: wie (as)
Example: Sie ist genauso klug wie ihr Bruder. (She is equally as smart as her brother.)
Comparative Marker: mehr … als (more … than)
Example: Sie verdient mehr Geld als ich. (She earns more money than me.)
Comparative Marker: weniger … als (less … than)
Example: Er hat weniger Zeit als du. (He has less time than you.)
Adjectives in Comparative Sentences
When using adjectives in comparative sentences, their forms change depending on the degree of difference being expressed. Most German adjectives have three forms: the positive form (describing one object), the comparative form (comparing two objects), and the superlative form (describing the highest degree of a quality). The comparative form is used in comparative sentences.
Example 1:
Positive Form: gut (good)
Comparative Form: besser (better)
Superlative Form: am besten (best)
Sentence: Dieses Restaurant ist besser als das andere. (This restaurant is better than the other one.)
Example 2:
Positive Form: groß (big)
Comparative Form: größer (bigger)
Superlative Form: am größten (biggest)
Sentence: Das Haus ist größer als die Wohnung. (The house is bigger than the apartment.)
Adverbs in Comparative Sentences
Similar to adjectives, adverbs in comparative sentences also have comparative forms to indicate the degree of difference. The comparative form of an adverb is formed by adding “-er” to the positive form.
Example 1:
Positive Form: schnell (fast)
Comparative Form: schneller (faster)
Sentence: Ich renne schneller als du. (I run faster than you.)
Example 2:
Positive Form: langsam (slow)
Comparative Form: langsamer (slower)
Sentence: Das Auto fährt langsamer als der Zug. (The car drives slower than the train.)
Irregular Forms
Some adjectives and adverbs have irregular forms in their comparative and superlative forms. It’s important to learn these irregular forms separately as they don’t follow the standard pattern.
Example 1:
Positive Form: gut (good)
Comparative Form: besser (better)
Superlative Form: am besten (best)
Example 2:
Positive Form: viel (much/many)
Comparative Form: mehr (more)
Superlative Form: am meisten (most)
Comparing Nouns
In German, it is also possible to compare nouns by using the construction “so viel/wenig … wie” (as much/many … as).
Example 1:
English: He has as many friends as she does.
German: Er hat so viele Freunde wie sie.
Translation: He has as many friends as she does.
Example 2:
English: The company produces as much chocolate as its competitors.
German: Die Firma produziert so viel Schokolade wie ihre Konkurrenten.
Translation: The company produces as much chocolate as its competitors.
Exceptions and Special Cases
As with any language, there are exceptions and special cases when it comes to comparative sentences in German. Some adjectives and adverbs have irregular forms, as mentioned earlier. Additionally, certain adjectives and adverbs don’t change their forms in the comparative degree and are used in their positive forms instead.
Example:
English: The sun shines brighter in summer.
German: Die Sonne scheint im Sommer heller.
Translation: The sun shines brighter in summer.
In this example, the comparative form “heller” (brighter) is not used because the positive form already expresses the comparison effectively.
In conclusion, comparative sentences in German are a useful tool for expressing and comparing degrees of difference between objects or ideas. By understanding the basic structure and forms of adjectives and adverbs in comparative sentences, beginners can effectively communicate comparisons in German. It is important to practice and familiarize oneself with the various comparative markers and irregular forms to use them accurately in conversation or writing.
Quick quiz
Exercise 1:
Choose the correct comparative marker for the given sentence:
Lisa is _ than Anna.
A) gut
B) besser
C) mehr
D) am besten
Answer: B) besser
Explanation: In this sentence, we are comparing Lisa and Anna, indicating that Lisa is better than Anna. The correct comparative marker to express this degree of difference is “besser.”
Example sentence: Lisa ist besser als Anna. (Lisa is better than Anna.)
Exercise 2:
Select the appropriate adjective form for the given comparative sentence:
Das Haus ist __ als die Wohnung.
A) größer
B) groß
C) am größten
D) am groß
Answer: A) größer
Explanation: The sentence compares the size of the house and the apartment, indicating that the house is bigger than the apartment. Therefore, the correct comparative adjective form to use is “größer.”
Example sentence: Das Haus ist größer als die Wohnung. (The house is bigger than the apartment.)
Exercise 3:
Choose the correct adverb form for the given comparative sentence:
Ich renne __ als du.
A) schnell
B) schneller
C) am schnellsten
D) am schnell
Answer: B) schneller
Explanation: The sentence compares the speed of the speaker and the person being addressed, indicating that the speaker runs faster than the other person. Hence, the correct comparative adverb form to use is “schneller.”
Example sentence: Ich renne schneller als du. (I run faster than you.)
Exercise 4:
Select the irregular form for the following comparative adjective:
Positive Form: gut
Comparative Form: _
Superlative Form: am besten
A) besser
B) guter
C) mehr
D) am besten
Answer: A) besser
Explanation: The positive form “gut” (good) has the comparative form “besser” (better). The superlative form is “am besten.”
Example sentence: Das Essen in diesem Restaurant ist besser als in jenem. (The food in this restaurant is better than in that one.)
Exercise 5:
Choose the correct comparative form of the adverb in the given sentence:
Positive Form: viel
Comparative Form: _
Superlative Form: am meisten
A) mehr
B) vieler
C) viel
D) am meisten
Answer: A) mehr
Explanation: The positive form “viel” (much/many) has the comparative form “mehr” (more). The superlative form is “am meisten.”
Example sentence: Sie hat mehr Zeit als ich. (She has more time than me.)
Exercise 6:
Select the appropriate comparative marker for the given sentence:
He runs __ I do.
A) wie
B) als
C) mehr
D) weniger
Answer: B) als
Explanation: The sentence compares the running ability of the subject and the speaker, indicating that the subject runs more than the speaker. Therefore, the correct comparative marker to use is “als.”
Example sentence: Er rennt schneller als ich. (He runs faster than me.)
Exercise 7:
Choose the correct comparative marker for the given sentence:
She is __ as smart as her brother.
A) gut
B) besser
C) wie
D) mehr
Answer: C) wie
Explanation: The sentence indicates that she is equally as smart as her brother. In this case, the comparative marker “wie” (as) is appropriate.
Example sentence: Sie ist genauso klug wie ihr Bruder. (She is equally as smart as her brother.)
Exercise 8:
Select the correct comparative marker for the given sentence:
They earn __ money than we do.
A) besser
B) am besten
C) mehr
D) weniger
Answer: C) mehr
Explanation: The sentence compares the amount of money earned by “they” and “we,” indicating that “they” earn more money than “we” do. Therefore, the correct comparative marker to use is “mehr.”
Example sentence: Sie verdienen mehr Geld als wir. (They earn more money than we do.)
Exercise 9:
Choose the correct comparative marker for the given sentence:
He has __ time than you.
A) besser
B) am besten
C) mehr
D) weniger
Answer: D) weniger
Explanation: The sentence indicates that “he” has less time than “you.” Therefore, the correct comparative marker to use is “weniger.”
Example sentence: Er hat weniger Zeit als du. (He has less time than you.)
Exercise 10:
Select the appropriate comparative form for the given sentence:
The car drives __ than the train.
A) schnell
B) schneller
C) am schnellsten
D) am schnell
Answer: B) schneller
Explanation: The sentence compares the speed of the car and the train, indicating that the car drives faster than the train. Hence, the correct comparative form of the adverb is “schneller.”
Example sentence: Das Auto fährt schneller als der Zug. (The car drives faster than the train.)
In each exercise, the correct answers were provided along with explanations. The example sentences demonstrate the usage of the correct forms and comparative markers in context. It’s important to understand the structure and meaning of comparative sentences in German to accurately choose the appropriate forms and markers when comparing objects or concepts.
Originally posted 2023-07-19 05:07:36.