Double-nominative constructions and “von”












4















When do you use von and when do you use a double-nominative construction, such as discussed at this linked question, when talking about the amount of something? Compare, for example,




ein Glas Wasser




and




tausende von Büchern











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  • 2





    There is also an archaic construct "Ein Kästchen von Ebenholz" - where "von" was used in the sense of "aus"

    – tofro
    2 hours ago











  • Compare English: thousands of books, a group of people, but one glass of water?

    – yunzen
    40 mins ago


















4















When do you use von and when do you use a double-nominative construction, such as discussed at this linked question, when talking about the amount of something? Compare, for example,




ein Glas Wasser




and




tausende von Büchern











share|improve this question




















  • 2





    There is also an archaic construct "Ein Kästchen von Ebenholz" - where "von" was used in the sense of "aus"

    – tofro
    2 hours ago











  • Compare English: thousands of books, a group of people, but one glass of water?

    – yunzen
    40 mins ago
















4












4








4








When do you use von and when do you use a double-nominative construction, such as discussed at this linked question, when talking about the amount of something? Compare, for example,




ein Glas Wasser




and




tausende von Büchern











share|improve this question
















When do you use von and when do you use a double-nominative construction, such as discussed at this linked question, when talking about the amount of something? Compare, for example,




ein Glas Wasser




and




tausende von Büchern








standard-german






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share|improve this question













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share|improve this question








edited 2 hours ago









Björn Friedrich

6,43611035




6,43611035










asked 3 hours ago









AaronAaron

68417




68417








  • 2





    There is also an archaic construct "Ein Kästchen von Ebenholz" - where "von" was used in the sense of "aus"

    – tofro
    2 hours ago











  • Compare English: thousands of books, a group of people, but one glass of water?

    – yunzen
    40 mins ago
















  • 2





    There is also an archaic construct "Ein Kästchen von Ebenholz" - where "von" was used in the sense of "aus"

    – tofro
    2 hours ago











  • Compare English: thousands of books, a group of people, but one glass of water?

    – yunzen
    40 mins ago










2




2





There is also an archaic construct "Ein Kästchen von Ebenholz" - where "von" was used in the sense of "aus"

– tofro
2 hours ago





There is also an archaic construct "Ein Kästchen von Ebenholz" - where "von" was used in the sense of "aus"

– tofro
2 hours ago













Compare English: thousands of books, a group of people, but one glass of water?

– yunzen
40 mins ago







Compare English: thousands of books, a group of people, but one glass of water?

– yunzen
40 mins ago












2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes


















6














The von construction can be used with indefinite number adjectives, such as but not limited to "dutzende, hunderte, tausende, ...". But it is optional.



Thus, both sentences are grammatically correct and used:




Es wurden tausende Bücher verbrannt.



Es wurden tausende von Büchern verbrannt.




The latter construction puts more emphasis on the number.



Saying "Ich möchte ein Glas von Wasser" would be ungrammatical, because here you have a definite amount of glasses, namely 1.






share|improve this answer































    2














    This is a Partitive Apposition, see Canoo.net. It is just specification of an amount. Similarly constructed are drei Liter Wasser, 100g Mehl.






    share|improve this answer


























    • Okay, can your examples be phrased with von as well??

      – Wilson
      1 hour ago












    Your Answer








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    2 Answers
    2






    active

    oldest

    votes








    2 Answers
    2






    active

    oldest

    votes









    active

    oldest

    votes






    active

    oldest

    votes









    6














    The von construction can be used with indefinite number adjectives, such as but not limited to "dutzende, hunderte, tausende, ...". But it is optional.



    Thus, both sentences are grammatically correct and used:




    Es wurden tausende Bücher verbrannt.



    Es wurden tausende von Büchern verbrannt.




    The latter construction puts more emphasis on the number.



    Saying "Ich möchte ein Glas von Wasser" would be ungrammatical, because here you have a definite amount of glasses, namely 1.






    share|improve this answer




























      6














      The von construction can be used with indefinite number adjectives, such as but not limited to "dutzende, hunderte, tausende, ...". But it is optional.



      Thus, both sentences are grammatically correct and used:




      Es wurden tausende Bücher verbrannt.



      Es wurden tausende von Büchern verbrannt.




      The latter construction puts more emphasis on the number.



      Saying "Ich möchte ein Glas von Wasser" would be ungrammatical, because here you have a definite amount of glasses, namely 1.






      share|improve this answer


























        6












        6








        6







        The von construction can be used with indefinite number adjectives, such as but not limited to "dutzende, hunderte, tausende, ...". But it is optional.



        Thus, both sentences are grammatically correct and used:




        Es wurden tausende Bücher verbrannt.



        Es wurden tausende von Büchern verbrannt.




        The latter construction puts more emphasis on the number.



        Saying "Ich möchte ein Glas von Wasser" would be ungrammatical, because here you have a definite amount of glasses, namely 1.






        share|improve this answer













        The von construction can be used with indefinite number adjectives, such as but not limited to "dutzende, hunderte, tausende, ...". But it is optional.



        Thus, both sentences are grammatically correct and used:




        Es wurden tausende Bücher verbrannt.



        Es wurden tausende von Büchern verbrannt.




        The latter construction puts more emphasis on the number.



        Saying "Ich möchte ein Glas von Wasser" would be ungrammatical, because here you have a definite amount of glasses, namely 1.







        share|improve this answer












        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer










        answered 3 hours ago









        infinitezeroinfinitezero

        1,175410




        1,175410























            2














            This is a Partitive Apposition, see Canoo.net. It is just specification of an amount. Similarly constructed are drei Liter Wasser, 100g Mehl.






            share|improve this answer


























            • Okay, can your examples be phrased with von as well??

              – Wilson
              1 hour ago
















            2














            This is a Partitive Apposition, see Canoo.net. It is just specification of an amount. Similarly constructed are drei Liter Wasser, 100g Mehl.






            share|improve this answer


























            • Okay, can your examples be phrased with von as well??

              – Wilson
              1 hour ago














            2












            2








            2







            This is a Partitive Apposition, see Canoo.net. It is just specification of an amount. Similarly constructed are drei Liter Wasser, 100g Mehl.






            share|improve this answer















            This is a Partitive Apposition, see Canoo.net. It is just specification of an amount. Similarly constructed are drei Liter Wasser, 100g Mehl.







            share|improve this answer














            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer








            edited 2 mins ago









            yunzen

            1234




            1234










            answered 3 hours ago









            guidotguidot

            12.9k1546




            12.9k1546













            • Okay, can your examples be phrased with von as well??

              – Wilson
              1 hour ago



















            • Okay, can your examples be phrased with von as well??

              – Wilson
              1 hour ago

















            Okay, can your examples be phrased with von as well??

            – Wilson
            1 hour ago





            Okay, can your examples be phrased with von as well??

            – Wilson
            1 hour ago


















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