Questions & Answers about Er ist auch ein Mann.
Why do we use ein here instead of eine?
Mann is a masculine noun. In the nominative case, which is the basic form used for subjects, the word for 'a' or 'an' is ein for masculine and neuter nouns. We only use eine for feminine nouns.
Is ein Mann the object of this sentence? Shouldn't it change its case?
Normally, a noun receiving an action changes case. But the verb sein (to be, used here as ist) is special. It acts like an equals sign between the subject and what it is (Er = ein Mann). Because of this, both sides stay in the nominative case.
Where does auch usually go in a German sentence?
Short adverbs like auch (also/too) generally come right after the verb. Placing it immediately after ist is the most natural way to say 'is also' in this context.
Does ein mean 'a' or 'one' in this sentence?
It usually just means 'a'. In German, the word ein does double duty as both the article 'a/an' and the number 'one'. You can usually tell which one it is from context. If a German speaker wanted to strongly emphasize 'one single man', they would just stress the word ein with their voice.