Breakdown of Wir enthalten uns einer Stellungnahme, außerdem schweigen wir.
ein
a, an (eine)
wir
we
schweigen
to be silent
außerdem
furthermore
die Stellungnahme
the statement
sich enthalten
to abstain from
Questions & Answers about Wir enthalten uns einer Stellungnahme, außerdem schweigen wir.
Why do we use einer Stellungnahme without a preposition like von (from)?
The verb sich enthalten (to refrain or abstain) strictly requires its object to be in the Genitive case. You do not use a preposition because the Genitive case itself connects the object to the verb. Since die Stellungnahme is feminine, the indefinite article changes to einer in the Genitive.
Is the reflexive pronoun uns in the Accusative or Dative case here?
It is in the Accusative case. For verbs that require a Genitive object, the reflexive pronoun is almost always Accusative. The standard structure is: subject + Accusative reflexive pronoun + Genitive object.
Why is the word order außerdem schweigen wir instead of außerdem wir schweigen?
The word außerdem (moreover or besides) is an adverb, not a true conjunction like und or aber. When an adverb starts a clause, it takes up the first position. To satisfy the strict German verb-second rule, the verb schweigen must come next, pushing the subject wir to the third position.
What exactly is a Stellungnahme compared to a normal statement?
The noun die Stellungnahme comes from the phrase Stellung nehmen (to take a position or stand). It refers specifically to an official statement, a formal opinion, or a public comment on an issue, rather than just a casual remark. Combined with sich enthalten, this sentence sounds like a formal abstention.
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