Breakdown of Anlässlich der Eröffnung wird ein Empfang stattfinden.
ein
a, an (eine)
stattfinden
to take place
werden
will (future auxiliary)
anlässlich
on the occasion of
Questions & Answers about Anlässlich der Eröffnung wird ein Empfang stattfinden.
Why does this sentence use der Eröffnung if Eröffnung is a feminine noun?
The preposition anlässlich (on the occasion of) requires the genitive case. For feminine nouns like die Eröffnung, the definite article changes to der in the genitive.
Is there an easy way to remember the meaning of the preposition anlässlich?
Yes, it is derived directly from the noun der Anlass, which means 'the occasion' or 'the reason'. It is mostly used in formal contexts to show the specific event that triggered an action or gathering.
Why does the verb wird come right after Eröffnung instead of after the subject ein Empfang?
German strictly follows the verb-second rule in main clauses. The entire prepositional phrase Anlässlich der Eröffnung acts as a single block of information occupying the first position. Therefore, the conjugated verb wird must take the second position, pushing the subject (ein Empfang) to the third position.
stattfinden is a separable verb. Why isn't it separated here?
Separable verbs only split when they act as the conjugated verb in a clause, such as in the present or simple past tense. Because this sentence is in the future tense, it uses the conjugated auxiliary verb wird. This pushes the main verb stattfinden to the very end of the sentence in its full, unseparated infinitive form.