Breakdown of Die Wahl des neuen Präsidenten gefällt dem Herrn nicht.
nicht
not
neu
new
gefallen
to please
der Herr
the gentleman / Mr.
Questions & Answers about Die Wahl des neuen Präsidenten gefällt dem Herrn nicht.
Why does the adjective neu take the ending -en in des neuen Präsidenten?
This is exactly what we are practicing in this lesson! The phrase is in the genitive case to show possession (of the new president). After a definite article in the genitive case, like des, the following adjective always takes an -en ending.
Wait, doesn't the masculine genitive usually add an -s or -es to the noun? Why is it Präsidenten?
Normally, yes! However, Präsident belongs to a special group of masculine nouns called n-declension (or weak) nouns. These nouns add an -n or -en ending in every case except the nominative singular. So instead of adding an -s in the genitive, it takes an -en.
Speaking of extra endings, why does Herr become Herrn in dem Herrn?
Just like Präsident, the word Herr is also an n-declension noun. Because the verb gefallen always requires a dative object, the gentleman is in the dative case here. Therefore, Herr gets its required -n ending to become Herrn.
Why does the sentence use the dative case (dem Herrn) for the person who doesn't like the election?