In this lecture I will explain the pronoun „es“. It is used in several different situations. With examples, I will explain you the use in fixed expressions, with impersonal verbs and in other situations.
The Pronoun „es“
The pronoun „es“ has many different functions in German. It can be used as a pronoun standing for a single word, for a clause, and for an entire sentence. Furthermore it is used in specific expressions.
Examples:
- „Wie geht es dir? – „Mir geht es gut.“
- „Das ist mein Fahrrad.“ – „Es ist neu.“
The Use of „es“
As a Substitute
As a substitute for a neutral noun:
- „Das Auto ist rot. Es ist ein Ferrari.“
„Es“ is used as a personal pronoun. It is used to avoid the repetition of the noun „das Auto“.
As a substitute for an entire sentence:
- „Was macht unsere Tochter?“ – „Ich weiß es nicht.“
„Es“ is a substitute for the whole sentence („Ich weiß nicht, was unsere Tochter macht.“). We use it to avoid repetition as well.
As a substitute for an adjective:
- „Meine Mutter ist sehr jung. Deine ist es nicht.“
In this example „es“ is a substitute for an adjective. This use is not that common but possible. It has the same purpose as the others: we want to avoid repetition.
As a substitute for a clause („es“ replaces the action) :
- „Maria du solltest doch das Geschirr abwaschen!“ – „Warum hast du es noch nicht gemacht?“
„Es“ is a substitute for the action „das Geschirr abwaschen“. (to wash the dishes) („Warum hast du das Geschirr noch nicht abgewaschen?“) The purpose stays the same: no repetition and keeping the sentence short.
For Impersonal Verbs:
Characteristics of impersonal verbs: they can only be used in the third person. We must use „es“. It is obligatory.
Verbs of feeling and sensing:
- „Wie geht es dir?“
- „Es schmeckt mir nicht.“
- „Es stinkt hier.“
The question „Wie geht es dir?“ is a fixed expression. For other expresions of feelings and sensing applys: If we know the acting person ( = the subject) no „es“ is needed:
- „Du stinkst!“ (You smell)
We don´t need „es“ because we know who is smelling.
- „Es stinkt hier.“
⇒ We don´t know who or what is smelling or at least we aren´t sure (or want to be polite)
⇒ We have to use „es“
Verbs that describe the weather:
- „Es regnet/schneit … “
- „Es ist sonnig/neblig/windig/warm/kalt…“
- „Es sind 12 Grad.“
All verbs need a subject. The problem: if we talk about the weather there is no acting person/thing. Nobody can snow/rain/… . Like in English we need the „es“ as a subject, because every sentence needs a subject. (⇒“It snows“ = „Es schneit“)
For the time of day or year:
- „Es ist 12 Uhr.“
- „Es ist noch sehr früh.“
- „Es ist Sommer / Winter / Herbst / Frühling.“
- „Es sind Ferien.“
- „Es ist Weihnachten.“.
The same as with the verbs of the weather: we have no acting subject. But grammatically we need a subject for every verb. That´s why we need „es“.
It is the same in English: „It is 12 o´clock.“ = „Es ist 12 Uhr.“
Verbs that express a sound:
- „Es klingelt an der Tür!“
- „Es läuten die Glocken in der Kirche.“
When it is obvious who/what caused the sound, we don‘t have to use „es“.
- „Die Glocken läuten in der Kirche.“ = „Es läuten die Glocken in der Kirche.“
„Es“ can be used but we don´t have to. There is no difference between both versions.
Most often it isn´t obvious who or what is causing the noise. ⇒ The subject is unknown. ⇒ We HAVE TO use „es“ as the grammatical subject.
In specific expressions:
- „Es gibt nichts Neues.“
- „Es ist schwierig/leicht/einfach/schön,… .“
- „Wo tut es weh?“
In these cases „es“ relates to the overall situation or „something“ (like an unknown or non-specific subject). The use of „es“ is obligatory.
To Represent a Subordinate Clause
Example:
- „Es tut mir leid, dass ich gestern nicht da war.“
If the main sentence comes before the subordinate clause (i.e. a clause with „dass“, an infinitive clause, or an indirect question), we use „es“. If the clause is before the main sentence, we don‘t.
The subordinate clause decscribes the situation and acts as the subject of the main clause. If we put the main clause in front of the subordinate clause there is the problem that the subject is still unknown in the main clause. Like you learn before, if we don´t know the subject we need „es“ as a grammatically subject.
If we put the subordinate clause (that acts as the subject) in front of the main clause, we don´t need „es“ because we know the subject already.
„Es“ can represent a whole clause in following constructions:
„dass“ – sentence:
- „Es tut mir leid, dass ich gestern nicht da war.“
- „Dass ich gestern nicht da war, tut mir leid.“
Indirect question:
- „Es ist fraglich, ob er kommt.“
- „Ob er kommt, ist fraglich.“
Infinitive clause:
- „Es ist leicht, Deutsch zu lernen.“
- „Deutsch zu lernen, ist leicht.“
Summary
- „Es“ is used as a pronoun for neutral nouns, actions or whole clauses.
- But there are specific expressions with „es“ as well.
- The most important fact is that a verb always need a subject.
- If there is no acting person/thing then „es“ is needed as the grammatical subject.
Further Information
- „Es“ is a pronoun. Review the different types of Pronouns.
- Take a deeper look into the different possibilities of „es“ as a representative of a subordinate clause:
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