2

From Spiegel Online:

US-Präsident Barack Obama befürwortet dagegen ein vereinigtes Königreich - und bekommt dafür die Frage gestellt, wann denn die USA wieder ins UK eintreten würden.

What is the structure behind

Obama bekommt die Frage gestellt, wann ...

?

In particular, it seems weird that "gestellt" appears at the end of the main clause.

What are some other examples of this sentence structure?

Improve this question

3 Answers 3

Reset to default
5

It is a passive voice construction.

Er bekommt die Frage gestellt
Er bekommt ein Buch geschenkt

The specific type of question (or the description of the book) can be inserted in different places.

Er bekommt die Frage gestellt, wann ...
Er bekommt die Frage, wann ..., gestellt.

Er bekommt ein Buch geschenkt, in dem ...
Er bekommt ein Buch, in dem ..., geschenkt.

Improve this answer
2

It's just regular passive voice: He gets asked a question.

Improve this answer
2
  • 4
    I wouldn't call it a regular passive voice, but it can be regarded as a passive voice construction: de.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/…
    – Carsten S
    Commented Sep 19, 2014 at 6:41
  • @CarstenSchultz Thanks! That's exactly the explanation I was looking for.
    – boaten
    Commented Sep 19, 2014 at 16:52
0

Other examples of this sentence structure can be found in other analytical verb forms:

  1. Obama stellt die Frage. (Präsens)
  2. Obama hat die Frage gestellt. (Präsensperfekt)
  3. Obama wird die Frage stellen. (Futur)
  4. Obama wird die Frage gestellt. (Passiv)
  5. Obama will die Frage stellen. (Modal verb)

The finite auxiliar takes the place of the finite verb (as seen in the first sentence), the infinite Verb or Participle moves to the end of the sentence.

The construction seen in 3. and mentioned by you is called "Rezipientenpassiv". It can also used with "kriegen" as auxiliary:

Obama kriegt die Frage gestellt.

However, "kriegen" is regarded as bad style. AFAIK it is still subject to debate whether the Rezipientenpassiv is grammaticalized.

Improve this answer
2
  • Und was hat der Hauptteil der Antwort mit "bekommt die Frage gestellt" zu tun?
    – Robert
    Commented Sep 21, 2014 at 19:01
  • Die Frage war: "In particular, it seems weird that "gestellt" appears at the end of the main clause. What are some other examples of this sentence structure?". Ich wollte darauf hinaus, dass das die übliche Struktur analytischer Konjugationsformen des Deutschen ist.
    – Veredomon
    Commented Sep 21, 2014 at 20:13

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.