What are the rules for using the German genitive attribute in sentences?
In German, the genitive attribute expresses possession or relationship, usually positioned before the noun it modifies. It can be formed with 's' for names (e.g., Peters Auto) and by adding -s or -es for masculine and neuter nouns (e.g., des Mannes Hut), or by preceding the noun with des, der for masculine/neuter, and feminine nouns, respectively. For plural nouns, typically 'der' is used, regardless of the gender (e.g., der Kinder Spielzeug).
What are the exceptions when forming the German genitive attribute with proper nouns?
When forming the German genitive attribute with proper nouns, an 's' is added without an apostrophe (e.g., Marias Buch) for most names but with an apostrophe for names ending in a sibilant sound (e.g., Max' Auto), or when additional clarity is needed.
How does the German genitive attribute change with gender and number?
In German, the genitive attribute modifies to reflect the gender and number of the noun it describes. For masculine and neuter nouns, an "s" or "es" is typically added to the noun, whereas feminine and plural nouns do not change but require a definite article ("der" or "die" changing to "des" and "der" respectively) indicating possession.
How do adjectives behave when used with the German genitive attribute?
In the German genitive attribute, adjectives are declined with genitive endings. They must agree in case, gender, and number with the noun they describe. This results in endings such as -en, -er, -es, matching the gender and number of the noun being modified.
Can the German genitive attribute be replaced by other constructions in modern German?
Yes, in modern German, the genitive attribute is often replaced by structures using von + dative case or possessive articles, particularly in spoken language. This tends to make the sentence structure simpler and more straightforward.