angesichts

In View of (Angesichts)

Level 5

angesichts + Genitive
Used to describe a situation or fact that serves as the reason for a reaction or decision.

How It Works

1. Grammatical Usage
As a genitive preposition, angesichts requires the noun following it to be in the genitive case. For most masculine and neuter singular nouns, this involves the -(e)s ending. However, nouns belonging to the n-declension (such as der Mensch or der Kollege) take the -en ending instead (e.g., angesichts des Menschen).

2. Pronominal Use and Synonyms
In formal writing, you will often encounter the pronominal form angesichts dessen (in view of that/which). Additionally, the phrase in Anbetracht (+ Genitive) is a common, interchangeable synonym that carries the same high-register tone.

3. The 'von' Exception
In cases where the genitive is not clearly visible (such as plural nouns without an article or adjective), German speakers use the von + dative construction to avoid ambiguity. For example: angesichts von Krisen (in view of crises).

4. Nuance and Register
While wegen (because of) is neutral, angesichts implies a visual or intellectual 'viewing' of a situation. It suggests that the speaker is looking at a specific set of circumstances and drawing a conclusion. Because of its high register, using it in casual conversation can sound overly dramatic or ironic.

5. Sentence Structure
It often appears at the beginning of a sentence to provide context, triggering verb-second word order where the verb follows the entire prepositional phrase.

Examples (4)

  1. Angesichts der Wirtschaftskrise muss die Regierung sparen.

    In view of the economic crisis, the government must save money.

    Word by Word: In-view-of the economic-crisis must the government save.

    Here, 'der Wirtschaftskrise' is feminine genitive. The crisis is the reason for the government's action.

  2. Was tut Europa angesichts dieser Herausforderung?

    What is Europe doing in the face of this challenge?

    Word by Word: What does Europe in-view-of this challenge?

    The prepositional phrase acts as the context for the question.

  3. Angesichts des schlechten Wetters wurde das Konzert abgesagt.

    Given the bad weather, the concert was canceled.

    Word by Word: In-view-of the bad weather was the concert canceled.

    Note the genitive ending '-s' on 'Wetters' and the adjective ending '-en' for 'schlechten'.

  4. Angesichts von Beweisen gestand der Täter die Tat.

    In view of evidence, the perpetrator confessed to the crime.

    Word by Word: In-view-of from evidence confessed the perpetrator the deed.

    Since 'Beweisen' is plural and lacks an article, 'von + dative' is used instead of a bare genitive.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the dative case instead of the genitive.

    Angesichts dem Erfolg freute er sich.
    Angesichts des Erfolges freute er sich.

    In formal writing, 'angesichts' strictly requires the genitive case. 'Dem Erfolg' is dative and incorrect here.

  • Forgetting the masculine/neuter noun ending.

    Angesichts des Krieg wurde alles teurer.
    Angesichts des Krieges wurde alles teurer.

    Masculine and neuter nouns must take the -(e)s ending in the genitive case when used with this preposition.

How It Connects

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

angesichtsLevel 5In View of (Angesichts)

Learn This First

To use 'angesichts' correctly, you must be comfortable with the genitive case, as this preposition is used in formal contexts to indicate a cause or circumstance ('in view of'). This involves knowing the specific article changes and noun endings associated with the genitive.

Words in This Pattern

angesichts