1

I have a flyer in my hand. Its main slogan, very big and opulent, is the sentence:

Immer das pasende Geschenk!

Immer das pasende Geschenk!

I’ve tried to figure out its grammar but I’ve got stuck in the middle.

  • Why the termination for the adjective passend is e, while that das suggests that Geschenk is neutral (and it is)?
  • Where is the verb?
  • What mode is this? It has an exclamation mark but is not imperative.

This sentence seems to violate everything I’ve learned about sentences. What is happening here (syntactically)?

5
  • 1
    It is just an ellipsis as you will often see it in slogans or ads. The complete sentence could be, for example "Finden Sie immer das passende Geschenk" or "Immer das passende Geschenk kaufen".
    – Œlrim
    Nov 3, 2015 at 12:15
  • Than why das passende Geschenk? Note the das and the passend__e__
    – Tiberiu C.
    Nov 3, 2015 at 12:18
  • 3
    Geschenk is neuter and -e is the correct adjective suffix for the definite nominative or accusative case (just like das große Haus)
    – Œlrim
    Nov 3, 2015 at 12:21
  • 1
    It’s not a full sentence because it doesn’t have a full verb.
    – Jan
    Nov 3, 2015 at 12:28
  • 2
    The canonical question abiut strong and weak adjective declension: german.stackexchange.com/questions/25357/…
    – chirlu
    Nov 3, 2015 at 12:39

2 Answers 2

3

A few possibilities for how these ellipses could be completed:

  • Finden Sie immer das passende Geschenk! (accusative)
  • Wir finden immer das passende Geschenk! (accusative)
  • Immer das passende Geschenk finden Sie bei uns! (accusative)
  • Auf Sie wartet immer das passende Geschenk! (nominative)

Both the nominative and accusative cases imply the suffix -e on adjectives referring to das Geschenk.

2
  • 3
    Ich finde die Satzstellung hier klingt seltsam: "Immer das passende Geschenk finden Sie bei uns!" Besser wäre meiner Ansicht nach: "Bei uns finden Sie immer das passende Geschenk."
    – Iris
    Nov 3, 2015 at 12:33
  • The accusative is unlikely. Replace "Geschenk" by some masculine noun, say "Anzug", and you see that the slogan "Immer der passende Anzug!" (nom.) looks a lot more idiomatic than "Immer den passenden Anzug!" (acc.)
    – Uwe
    Nov 3, 2015 at 18:17
2

It is normal to put an "e" as termination for the adjective in front of a neutral noun. for example:

Das verletzte Kind
Das grosse Haus
Das schöne Wetter

and so on.

There is no verb because it is a slogan.

1
  • 2
    Your statement about declension is too general, as you will find when considering ein verletztes Kind etc.
    – chirlu
    Nov 3, 2015 at 12:32

Your Answer

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

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