Nominalized Adjectives: etwas Neues
Learn neuter nominalized adjectives after alles, das, etwas, nichts, viel, wenig, and ein bisschen. Practise capitalization and the endings -e and -es.
Explanation
Adjectives used as neuter nouns
A German adjective can stand without an expressed noun and function as a noun itself. It is then **capitalized**:
> Wir wünschen dir etwas **Schönes**.
The form refers generally to something such as a thing, message, or experience.
Forms after alles and das
After **alles**, and after **das** in the nominative or accusative, the nominalized adjective takes the declension ending **-e**: **alles Gute**, **das Wichtige**, **das Beste**, **das Schönste**. In a superlative, **-st-** belongs to the degree form; the declension ending is still **-e**. Other cases differ, for example **mit dem Besten**.
Forms after etwas, nichts, viel, wenig, and ein bisschen
Use the declension ending **-es**: **etwas Neues**, **nichts Wichtiges**, **viel Interessantes**, **wenig Brauchbares**, **ein bisschen Süßes**.
A comparative can also be nominalized: **etwas Besseres**.
With an expressed noun, the adjective stays lowercase: **ein wichtiges Ziel**. Without it, capitalize the adjective: **etwas Wichtiges**.
For nominative and accusative, remember: **alles/das + -e**; **etwas/nichts/viel/wenig/ein bisschen + -es**.
Exercises
- Form a nominalized adjective. Mind the ending and capitalization. (10)
- Insert the correct forms from the word bank into the dialogue or text. (3)
- Replace the general noun with a nominalized adjective and write the complete sentence. (10)
B1 · German · Grammar