Breakdown of Auf dem Zettel steht die Grundlage unseres Plans.
dem
the; (masculine or neuter, dative)
stehen
to stand
unser
our
auf
on
der Plan
the plan
die
the; (feminine, nominative)
der Zettel
the slip of paper
die Grundlage
the basis
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Questions & Answers about Auf dem Zettel steht die Grundlage unseres Plans.
Why is it "steht" and not "ist" or "ist geschrieben"?
German uses "stehen" for text/content that appears on or in something. So you say:
- "Auf dem Zettel steht ..." (On the note it says ...)
- "In der Zeitung steht ..." (In the newspaper it says ...) "Es ist auf dem Zettel" would mean a physical object is lying on the note. "steht geschrieben" is possible but more formal/literary; "ist geschrieben" is usually avoided here.
Why "auf dem Zettel" and not "auf den Zettel"?
"auf" is a two-way preposition:
- Dative (location/rest): "auf dem Zettel" = on the note (where?)
- Accusative (direction/motion): "auf den Zettel" = onto the note (where to?) Compare: "Es steht auf dem Zettel" vs. "Ich schreibe es auf den Zettel."
What case is "dem Zettel," and why?
Dative singular. "auf" with a static location takes dative, and "Zettel" (masculine) uses "dem" in dative singular. Hence "auf dem Zettel."
Why does the subject come after the verb?
German is verb-second (V2). The prepositional phrase "Auf dem Zettel" occupies the first position, so the finite verb "steht" must come next, and the subject follows: "Auf dem Zettel | steht | die Grundlage unseres Plans." The neutral order is also possible: "Die Grundlage unseres Plans steht auf dem Zettel." In a subordinate clause the verb goes to the end: "... weil die Grundlage unseres Plans auf dem Zettel steht."
What exactly is a "Zettel"? How is it different from "Notiz" or "Blatt/Papier"?
- "Zettel": a (usually small) slip/scrap of paper.
- "Notiz": a note as content or the act of noting; often intangible or in a notebook.
- "Blatt (Papier)": a sheet of paper. You’d typically say text is "auf dem Zettel" or "auf dem Blatt".
Should it be "in dem Zettel" instead of "auf dem Zettel"?
For a slip/sheet, German conceptualizes writing as being on the surface: "auf dem Zettel." Use "in" for bound/contained media: "in der Zeitung," "im Buch," "im Vertrag." For boards/signs, "auf dem Schild" is standard; "an der Tafel" and "auf der Tafel" both occur, with "an" common in schools.
Why "die Grundlage" (feminine) and not another gender?
"Grundlage" is a feminine noun; hence "die Grundlage" in nominative singular. With the indefinite article you’d say "eine Grundlage."
How does "unseres Plans" work grammatically?
It’s a genitive attribute modifying "Grundlage":
- "Plan" is masculine; its genitive singular ends in -s: "des Plans."
- The possessive determiner "unser" takes the strong genitive masculine ending -es: "unseres." Thus: "die Grundlage unseres Plans." An older/formal variant "unseres Planes" exists but "Plans" is standard today.
Can I say "die Grundlage von unserem Plan" instead?
Yes, but it’s more colloquial. Genitive ("die Grundlage unseres Plans") sounds more formal/concise, especially in writing. You’ll also hear "die Grundlage für unseren Plan," which frames the plan as something built on that basis; both genitive and "für" are common.
Could/should I insert a dummy "es": "Es steht auf dem Zettel ..."?
Use dummy "es" when the real subject is a following clause: "Es steht auf dem Zettel, dass ..." With a noun-phrase subject, you normally don’t use "es": "Auf dem Zettel steht die Grundlage ..." "Es steht die Grundlage ..." is unusual.
Does "stehen" here imply physical standing? Why not "liegen"?
No physical standing is implied. "stehen" is the idiomatic verb for text presence. "liegen" would describe an object’s position: "Der Zettel liegt auf dem Tisch." The content "steht" on/in a medium.
How does subject–verb agreement work if the subject is plural?
The verb agrees with "Grundlage" (subject). If plural: "Auf dem Zettel stehen die Grundlagen unseres Plans." Singular: "steht die Grundlage ..."
Is the definite article "dem" necessary? Could I say "auf einem Zettel"?
Both are possible. "auf dem Zettel" implies a specific, known note. "auf einem Zettel" introduces an unspecified note. Choice depends on context.
Are there close synonyms for "Grundlage" here?
Yes:
- "die Basis unseres Plans" (very close in meaning)
- "die Grundlage für unseren Plan" (with "für") Avoid "der Grund unseres Plans" unless you mean "the reason for our plan," which is a different nuance.