Unpersönliches es
es-Konstruktionen — for English Speakers
Introduction
German 'es' goes far beyond English 'it'. Besides weather ('es regnet') and time ('es ist spät'), German uses impersonal 'es' in passive constructions ('es wird viel diskutiert' — there is much discussion), fixed expressions ('es handelt sich um' — it concerns), and as a placeholder subject ('es gibt' — there is). English uses 'it', 'there', or restructures entirely. The variety of 'es' uses is a distinctly German feature.
German vs English
In German
Es gibt viele Möglichkeiten. (There are many options)
In English
There are many options.
Key Difference
German uses 'es gibt' (it gives); English uses 'there are'. Different structure, same function.
In German
Es wird viel diskutiert. (There is much discussion)
In English
There is much discussion / A lot is being discussed.
Key Difference
German uses impersonal passive with 'es'; English restructures with 'there is' or active voice.
Common Mistakes for English Speakers
Es hat viele Leute hier. (calquing 'there are')
Using 'hat' instead of 'gibt' — German says 'es gibt' (it gives), not 'es hat' (it has) for 'there are'.
Es handelt über ein Missverständnis.
Forgetting 'sich' and the preposition 'um' — this is a fixed reflexive expression.
Practice Examples
Es lässt sich nicht leugnen, dass er Recht hat.
It cannot be denied that he is right.
Es kommt darauf an, wie man es sieht.
It depends on how you look at it.
Es handelt sich um ein wichtiges Thema.
It concerns an important topic.
Memory Tip
German 'es' is a shape-shifter — it can mean 'it', 'there', or nothing at all. Learn the fixed phrases and it clicks.
View Grammar Rule
Unpersönliches es
es-Konstruktionen — B2
Practice Exercises
Unpersönliches es Übungen
8 exercises
Other Languages
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