CLASS 6 · LEARNING KNOWLEDGE

Attributes and adverbial modifiers – basic principles

How it works

Attributes are parts of a sentence that modify a noun more closely (e.g. adjectival attribute, genitive attribute, prepositional attribute). Adverbial modifiers (adverbials) are independent parts of a sentence that indicate circumstances such as place, time, reason or manner. Attributes usually stand directly with the noun; adverbials are usually movable and refer to the verb or the whole sentence. Both can consist of different parts of speech or groups of words. Distinguishing between them is important for understanding and analysing sentences.

Note
Attributes modify a noun more closely and are part of the sentence element; adverbial modifiers are independent parts of a sentence that indicate circumstances (such as place, time, reason, manner).

An example

Which part of the sentence is an attribute? ‹Der flinke Hund läuft schnell.›

‹flinke› is an attribute because it describes the noun ‹Hund› more closely. It stands directly with the noun and is part of the subject.

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Own explanation and own practice exercises by AmyMath. Subject reference framework: German. The topic assignment may vary by federal state.