es (Korrelat)

Correlative Es for Extraposed Clauses

Level 4

The correlative es acts as a 'preview' or placeholder. It sits in the main clause to signal that a 'heavy' piece of information (like a whole sub-clause) is coming later in the sentence.

How It Works

The correlative es is a structural tool rather than a meaningful word. It helps the listener prepare for a complex thought.

1. Subject Correlate:
When the subject of a sentence is a clause, es often starts the sentence in Position 1.
Example: Es ist wichtig, dass du lernst. (It is important that you learn.)

2. Object Correlate:
Some verbs (like finden, lieben, hassen) use es as a placeholder for an object clause in the Mittelfeld.
Example: Ich finde es toll, dich zu sehen. (I find it great to see you.)

3. The 'Disappearing' Rule:
A crucial rule in German syntax is that the correlative es must disappear if the clause it represents moves to the front of the sentence (the Vorfeld). Unlike English, you cannot say 'That you are here, it pleases me.'

4. Prepositional Verbs:
Note that if a verb requires a fixed preposition (e.g., warten auf), you cannot use es as a correlate. Instead, you must use a da-compound.
Example: Ich warte darauf, dass der Film beginnt. (I am waiting for the film to begin.)

5. Obligatory vs. Optional:

  • Obligatory: When es is the only thing in Position 1 (e.g., Es gefällt mir, dass...).
  • Optional: Often in the middle of the sentence for subject clauses (e.g., Mich freut (es), dass du da bist).
  • Verb-Specific: Certain verbs like vorhaben (to intend) or meinen (to mean) rarely use the correlative es, while hassen or genießen almost always require it.

Examples (5)

  1. Es ist schön, dass du heute Zeit hast.

    It is nice that you have time today.

    Word by Word: It is nice, that you today time have.

    Here, 'es' is a subject correlate in Position 1, previewing the 'dass'-clause.

  2. Ich liebe es, im Sommer im See zu schwimmen.

    I love swimming in the lake in summer.

    Word by Word: I love it, in summer in the lake to swim.

    The verb 'lieben' requires 'es' as an object correlate before the infinitive clause.

  3. Es ist noch unklar, wer die Wahl gewonnen hat.

    It is still unclear who won the election.

    Word by Word: It is still unclear, who the election won has.

    The 'es' previews an indirect question (wer-clause).

  4. Dass er gelogen hat, ärgert mich sehr.

    That he lied annoys me a lot.

    Word by Word: That he lied, annoys me very.

    Notice that 'es' disappears because the 'dass'-clause moved to the front.

  5. Wir bedauern es, Ihnen absagen zu müssen.

    We regret having to cancel on you.

    Word by Word: We regret it, to you cancel to must.

    In formal contexts, 'es' is often used with verbs of emotion or regret to introduce an infinitive.

Common Mistakes

  • Keeping 'es' when the sub-clause is at the beginning.

    Dass du kommst, es freut mich.
    Dass du kommst, freut mich.

    In German, the 'es' and the clause it represents cannot both be present if the clause is in the first position. The 'es' must be dropped.

  • Omitting 'es' with verbs that require an object placeholder.

    Ich genieße, am Strand zu liegen.
    Ich genieße es, am Strand zu liegen.

    Verbs like 'genießen' (to enjoy) or 'hassen' (to hate) usually require the correlative 'es' to sound natural when followed by an infinitive clause.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

es (Korrelat)Level 4Correlative Es for Extraposed Clauses

Learn This First

To understand the correlative 'es', learners must first be comfortable with the structures it anticipates: specifically 'dass' clauses and infinitive clauses with 'zu'. They also need to understand subordinate clause word order, as the 'es' serves as a placeholder in the main clause for these complex structures.

Words in This Pattern