impersonal subject es

Was ist das Platzhalter-es?
http://www.grammatikbegriffe.de/html/platzhalter-es.html

es als Platzhalter für das Subjekt
http://www.canoo.net/services/OnlineGrammar/InflectionRules/FRegeln-P/Pron-es.html#Anchor-es-11481




1.2.2.1.3. German dummy subject constructions

Helbig&Buscha (1980:359ff.) classify the grammatical function of the dummy partical es according to the valency patterns of German verbs; however, no specific groups of verbs can be classified as taking es as formal or grammatical subject preferentially. The non-referential uses of German es are classified as two-fold (which is cogent for the other two languages as well).

Es described as dummy or ‘grammatical’ subject appears in clauses denoting meteorological phenomena, which is the only ‘grammatical subject proper’ in German


** Prop es – describing natural conditions,

3a) Es fängt an zu regnen. (LSC1TD)

Es in other construction types, where it has not only grammatical, but also textual function, is referred to as ‘position keeper’ and ‘spot-filler’, or in German ‘Platzhalter’. It applies to the following construction patterns:



** Presentatives – introducing a new theme to the scene,


3b) Es gibt Plattenwege, Gartenpforten, Hecken, Garagen. (BV2TD)


** Extraposition – sub-clause introducing another clause,

4c) Es strengt sehr an, wenn man den Mond zu lange betrachtet. (EFH1TD)


** Impersonal Passives – creating speaker’s distance,

5c) Es wurde auch eine öffentliche Untersuchungskommission bestellt, um das Unglück zu begutachten." (GS1TD)


** Agentless Processes – de-Agentizing the subject.

6c) Es riecht nicht so fein bei Großvater. (LSC1TD)



In addition to that, Faarlund et al. (1997) lists one Norwegian construction type that is missing both in the English, as well as in the German reference grammar. It is the dummy subject with ‘vague reference’. Even though these construction types are not listed in Biber et al. (1999) and Holbig&Buscha (1980), they are equally possible in English and German as well:

7b) "It was a hell of a messy business," I said. (JM1TE)
7c) "Es war eine Schweinerei", meinte ich. (JM1TD)


It is evident that all three of the investigated languages more or less formally agree on the function, structure, and use of the individual dummy subject constructions; regardless whether or not they come under a separate entry in the reference grammars.



is.muni.cz/th/13247/ff_m/DIPLOMKA-PRAHA-1.7_-_TISK.doc








In German, the passive voice can appear without any subject of the verb, or with an impersonal subject es.

There was lots of dancing and singing.
Es wurde viel getanzt und gesungen.

http://www.germanlanguageguide.com/german/grammar/passive-voice.asp


Personal and impersonal verbs
http://canoo.net/services/OnlineGrammar/Wort/Verb/Valenz/Pers-Unpers.html?lang=en



The impersonal pronouns es and das

Sie ist traurig, und er ist es auch. (She is sad, and so is he)
http://www.ultralingua.com/onlinedictionary/references/german/44.htm







Placed at the beginning of the sentence to introduce the subject of the sentence.
Es wurde eine Maus gefunden in diesem Restaurant - A mouse was found in this restaurant.


If one places the subject of the above sentence first, then es will be eliminated:
Eine Maus wurde in diesem Restaurant gefunden.
http://german.about.com/od/grammar/a/German-Personal-Pronoun-EsII.htm