German composition

Note 6 — Section 48. THE WHITE SHIP. II.

Reading edition

To place the qualifying parts before the word qualified is one of the most striking peculiarities of German Grammar. This construction, called attributive constriction, has been explained in section 7, Note 3 with respect to the rendering of the Perfect (or Past) Participle qualifying a preceding noun; but it must here be pointed out that it may likewise be used for rendering the Present Participle qualifying a preceding noun (comp. S. 16, N. 4), and that it is sometimes even suitable for translating short relative clauses. This, as long as it is not too much indulged in, imparts to the construction great conciseness and vigour, and avoids the too frequent use of relative pronouns, which, contrary to English construction, cannot be omitted in German. (Comp. S. 16, N. 10.)

Return to Section 48. THE WHITE SHIP. II.Return to Section 94. A CURIOUS INSTRUMENT. VII.Return to Section 96. THE GLACIERS AT⁠[1] SUNSET⁠[2]. I.Return to Section 111. GOETHE’S DEATH. II.Return to Section 154. NEW-YEAR’S EVE. III.Return to Section 155. PROVIDENCE⁠[1] VINDICATING THE INNOCENT.Return to Section 167. RUSSIAN POLITICAL PRISONERS IN BANISHMENT. III.Return to Section 194. THE HANSE⁠[1]. I.Return to Section 205. THE TWO SCHOOLBOYS, OR EYES AND NO EYES. V.Return to Section 222. CHRISTMAS IN GERMANY. II.Return to INDEX TO THE GRAMMATICAL RULES AND IDIOMATIC RENDERINGS.Return to INDEX TO THE GRAMMATICAL RULES AND IDIOMATIC RENDERINGS.Return to INDEX TO THE GRAMMATICAL RULES AND IDIOMATIC RENDERINGS.Return to INDEX TO THE GRAMMATICAL RULES AND IDIOMATIC RENDERINGS.Return to INDEX TO THE GRAMMATICAL RULES AND IDIOMATIC RENDERINGS.