Extraposition and the Nachfeld (post-field) as a stylistic device
Ausklammerung und Nachfeld als Stilmittel
Moving a constituent into the Nachfeld (after the closing ) to lighten the bracket or create stylistic emphasis.
Structure
… [Verbalkomplex] | Nachfeld (Vergleich / PP / Nebensatz)
… [verbal complex] | post-field (comparison / PP / subordinate clause)
Details
- Part of Speech
- Syntax
- Register
- Formal/literary
Explanation
Normally the German verbal bracket () closes a clause: the finite in second position and the non-finite parts (, separable prefix, ) at the end. Ausklammerung deliberately moves a constituent into the Nachfeld - after that closing - to lighten an otherwise heavy clause or to spotlight the trailing element.
Comparisons with als/wie, long prepositional phrases and relative clauses move into the Nachfeld most naturally:
- Er hat mehr geleistet, als irgendjemand erwartet hatte. - He achieved more than anyone had expected. ()
- Er hat sich beklagt über die unhaltbaren Zustände in der Unterkunft. - He complained about the untenable conditions in the accommodation. (heavy PP)
- Sie hat allen gedankt, die ihr in dieser Zeit geholfen haben. - She thanked everyone who had helped her during that time. (extraposed )
Keep it apart from the mere afterthought (Nachtrag) - a supplement tacked on after a comma, as in Er hat sich nie beklagt, nicht einmal in den schwersten Stunden. An extraposed phrase follows the closing without a comma; only extraposed clauses keep the comma their clause status requires.
It is the mirror image of fronting (Spitzenstellung): material goes back, not forward.
Common mistakes:
- Treating it as careless ; in formal writing it must be a deliberate choice, or it can read as sloppy.
- Pushing short, light objects into the Nachfeld, which sounds awkward; reserve it for comparisons, heavy PPs and clauses.
- Overusing it, which fragments the clause and tires the reader.
About Extraposition and the Nachfeld (post-field) as a stylistic device
Moving a constituent into the Nachfeld (after the closing ) to lighten the bracket or create stylistic emphasis.
Normally the closes the bracket, but comparisons, long PPs and clauses may follow it ('Ausklammerung'). This loosens an otherwise heavy clause and can spotlight the trailing element.
Verschiebung eines Glieds ins Nachfeld (hinter den verbalen Schlussteil), um die zu entlasten oder zu betonen.
Caution
Comparisons with 'als/wie', heavy PPs and relative clauses are extraposed (ausgeklammert) most naturally. Overuse in formal writing can sound careless, so it is a deliberate device.