Forum Rocket German German Grammar Shortened Forms of Prepositions

Shortened Forms of Prepositions

Douglas-N

Douglas-N

Hallo

Bis zum Morgen grauen
- Until Dawn

This should be the accusative following the preposition "bis".

der Morgan goes to den Morgen then why has zum been used which is the shortened form of zu dem. Should the phrase not correctly be:
Bis zu den Morgen grauen

Thank you
Douglas
Byron-K21

Byron-K21

Hi Douglas,

You are correct about 'bis' being accusitive but 'zu' is a dative preposition and that is why the article following it is 'dem'.  The phrase literally doesn't sound right in English does it. I mean "until to the grey of morning", but I'm pretty sure 'zu' is the operative preposition here regarding the proper article.
Paul-Weber

Paul-Weber

Hi Douglas and Byron,

The masculine articles “der” and “ein” changes in the accusative into“den” and “ein” into 'einen'. 'Zum' is the short form of 'zu dem'. The correct sentence would be 'Bis zu dem Morgen grauen'. You recognise the dativ case from the word 'dem'.  For cases check the chapter 6.7 A Case in Point -Dative

Regards

Paul

Ask a question or post a response

If you want to ask a question or post a response you need to be a member.

If you are already a member login here.
If you are not a member you can become one by taking the free Rocket German trial here.