Accusative Absolute - German

German

In German, a noun phrase can be put in the accusative to indicate that the subject of the sentence has the property described. For example:

Neben ihm saß der dünnhaarige Pianist, den Kopf im Nacken, und lauschte.
next to him sat the thin-haired pianist the-masc.acc.sg head in the neck and listened
"The thin-haired pianist, his head hanging (lit. his head in his neck), sat next to him and listened."

Read more about this topic:  Accusative Absolute

Famous quotes containing the word german:

    The German Reich is a Republic, and whoever doesn’t believe it gets one in the neck.
    Alfred Döblin (1878–1957)

    I have known a German Prince with more titles than subjects, and a Spanish nobleman with more names than shirts.
    Oliver Goldsmith (1728–1774)

    If my theory of relativity is proven correct, Germany will claim me as a German and France will declare that I am a citizen of the world. Should my theory prove untrue, France will say that I am a German and Germany will declare that I am a Jew.
    Albert Einstein (1879–1955)