Breakdown of Einem Experten zufolge ist der Orkan verheerend.
sein
to be
ein
a, an (eine)
der Experte
the expert
zufolge
according to (often follows the noun)
verheerend
devastating
der Orkan
the hurricane
Questions & Answers about Einem Experten zufolge ist der Orkan verheerend.
Why does zufolge come after Einem Experten instead of before it?
The preposition zufolge usually comes after its noun (it is postpositioned) when it means 'according to' a person, report, or external source. When used this way, it always takes the dative case, which is why we see the dative article einem. Note that if it comes before a noun, it instead means 'as a consequence of' and takes the genitive case.
Why is it Experten with an -n at the end if it means singular 'an expert'?
The noun Experte belongs to a group of masculine words that follow 'n-declension' (also called weak nouns). These nouns take an -(e)n ending in all cases except the nominative singular. Because zufolge requires the dative case here, Experte becomes Experten.
Why does the verb ist come right after zufolge?
The entire phrase Einem Experten zufolge acts as a single block of information occupying position 1 in the sentence. To satisfy standard German word order rules, the conjugated verb ist must sit firmly in position 2, pushing the subject der Orkan to position 3.
Is the adjective verheerend built from a verb?
Yes, verheerend (devastating) is the present participle of the verb verheeren (to devastate or ravage). Just like in English, where you add '-ing' to a verb to describe an active effect, German adds a -d to the infinitive to turn it into an adjective.
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