Breakdown of Bist du bereit für die Prüfung, oder hast du Angst?
sein
to be
du
you (informal singular)
für
for
oder
or
Angst haben
to be afraid
die Prüfung
the exam
bereit
ready (prepared)
Questions & Answers about Bist du bereit für die Prüfung, oder hast du Angst?
Why do we use für after bereit, and what case does it take?
The phrase bereit für (ready for) is a fixed combination of an adjective and a preposition. The preposition für always requires the accusative case, which is why we use the accusative feminine article in die Prüfung.
Could I say bereit zu der Prüfung instead of bereit für?
Not quite! While bereit can take both für and zu, they are used differently. You use bereit für plus the accusative case when you are ready for a thing or an event, like an exam. You generally use bereit zu plus the dative case when you are ready for an action, often followed by an infinitive verb, like Ich bin bereit zu gehen (I am ready to go).
Why is the word order hast du after oder instead of putting the verb at the end?
The word oder (or) is a coordinating conjunction. This means it occupies 'position zero' and does not change the word order of the clause that follows it. Because the second part of the sentence is also a question, it uses standard question word order, starting directly with the verb hast.
Why does the German sentence say hast du Angst instead of bist du Angst?
In English, you 'are' afraid, using the verb 'to be' with an adjective. In German, fear is treated as a noun that you possess. You must use the fixed expression Angst haben, which literally means 'to have fear'. Therefore, 'are you afraid' becomes hast du Angst.
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