Question 1

What are the three declension patterns for German adjectives?

Accepted Answer

The three patterns are weak, mixed, and strong. Weak declension is used after definite articles (der, die, das) and words like dieser, jeder. Mixed declension is used after indefinite articles (ein, eine) and possessive articles (mein, dein, sein) as well as kein. Strong declension is used when there is no article or after words like viel, wenig, einige, and manche. Each pattern has a specific set of endings that change based on gender, case, and number.

Question 2

How do I know which adjective ending to use in a sentence?

Accepted Answer

First, identify the noun the adjective describes and determine its gender, case, and number. Then, look at the word before the adjective (if any). If it's a definite article (der, die, das) or a der-word (dieser, jeder), use the weak declension. If it's an indefinite article (ein, eine) or a possessive (mein, dein) or kein, use the mixed declension. If there is no article or an ein-word without an ending (e.g., viel, wenig), use the strong declension. Then apply the appropriate ending from the pattern.

Question 3

What is the difference between predicative and attributive adjectives?

Accepted Answer

Predicative adjectives come after the verb 'sein' (to be) or 'werden' (to become) and do not change their form. For example, 'Der Hund ist groß' (The dog is big). Attributive adjectives come directly before the noun and must have an ending that agrees with the noun. For example, 'Der große Hund' (The big dog). In GCSE German, you will mostly use attributive adjectives, so you need to learn the endings.

Question 4

Do adjectives change in the plural?

Accepted Answer

Yes, adjectives change in the plural. In the weak declension, the plural ending is always '-en' for all genders and cases (e.g., 'die großen Hunde'). In the mixed declension, the plural also takes '-en' (e.g., 'meine großen Hunde'). In the strong declension, the plural ending is '-e' for nominative and accusative, and '-er' for genitive and dative (e.g., 'große Hunde' nominative, 'großer Hunde' genitive).

Question 5

What are some common mistakes with adjective endings in GCSE German?

Accepted Answer

A common mistake is forgetting to add an ending when the adjective is before the noun, especially after 'ein' words. For example, writing 'ein groß Haus' instead of 'ein großes Haus'. Another mistake is using the weak declension after 'mein' (which requires mixed). Also, students often confuse the nominative and accusative endings for masculine nouns: 'ein großer Hund' (nominative) vs. 'einen großen Hund' (accusative). Practice with tables and lots of examples to avoid these errors.

Question 6

How can I remember the adjective endings for the strong declension?

Accepted Answer

The strong declension endings are similar to the definite article endings: -er (masculine nominative), -e (feminine nominative/accusative), -es (neuter nominative/accusative), -en (masculine accusative, dative, genitive), -em (dative masculine/neuter), -er (dative feminine, genitive feminine/plural). A mnemonic is to think of the definite article and replace the 'd' with the adjective ending. For example, 'der' becomes '-er', 'die' becomes '-e', 'das' becomes '-es'. Practice with a chart to reinforce.

Grammar (Foundation): Adjectives

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How to Revise Grammar (Foundation): Adjectives — AQA GCSE German

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Common Mistakes in Grammar (Foundation): Adjectives

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