Breakdown of Der Stapel der zu lesenden Bücher ist riesig.
sein
to be
das Buch
the book
lesen
to read
zu
to (infinitive marker)
der
who, which, that (relative pronoun; die, das)
riesig
huge
der Stapel
the pile
Questions & Answers about Der Stapel der zu lesenden Bücher ist riesig.
How is the word zu lesenden formed in this sentence?
This is the Gerundivum, which expresses a passive obligation (something that must or can be done). It is formed by combining zu + the present participle of the verb (lesend, from lesen) + the appropriate adjective ending. It functions essentially as the to-be-read books.
Why does zu lesenden take the ending -en?
Even though it looks like a complex verb structure, the Gerundivum acts exactly like a normal adjective. Because it modifies Bücher in the genitive plural and follows the definite article der, it takes the standard weak adjective ending -en.
Why does the sentence use der before zu lesenden Bücher if the noun is plural?
The phrase der zu lesenden Bücher is in the genitive case, showing possession or belonging (the stack OF the books to be read). The genitive plural definite article is der.
How could I express this exact same meaning without using the Gerundivum?
The Gerundivum is an elegant, advanced way to shorten a relative clause. You could rephrase this using a passive modal verb in a relative clause: Der Stapel der Bücher, die gelesen werden müssen, ist riesig.
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