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:

    Boys hide in lunging cubes
    Crouching to explode,
    Beyond the Atlantic skies,
    With cheerful cries
    Their barking tubes
    Upon the German toad.
    Allen Tate (1899–1979)

    So far no actual revolutionary masses have come into view. This might be considered sufficient reason for reproaching someone who has set out to describe a revolution. But it is not our fault. This is, after all, a German revolution.
    Alfred Döblin (1878–1957)

    The German mind, may it live! Almost invisible as a mind, it finally manifests itself assertively as a conviction.
    Franz Grillparzer (1791–1872)