Start with the intended meaning
Look for the resumptive word in the complete following clause. Matching case belongs to the illustrated left-dislocation pattern; a separate hanging topic can have another case. Ordinary fronting has no extra resumptive pronoun.
Left dislocation and hanging topics
Den Vertrag, den habe ich schon gelesen. The first phrase announces a topic; the resumptive den has its place inside the following clause. The two accusatives match in this left-dislocation pattern. Der Vertrag – ich habe ihn schon gelesen is a looser hanging-topic construction with a nominative topic, not proof that all dislocation requires identical case. By contrast, Den Vertrag habe ich gelesen is ordinary fronting with no resumptive pronoun.
Apply the pattern in another context
Die Unterlagen, die habe ich schon sortiert.
The first phrase announces the topic; the second die is its accusative object inside the clause.
Der Kollege – ich habe ihm bereits geantwortet.
This is a nominative hanging topic, resumed by dative ihm. It does not follow the matching-case pattern of the first example.
Choose the form and explain the meaning
6. Complete matching left dislocation: “Den Bericht, ___ habe ich gelesen.”
den. Both referential expressions are accusative in this pattern.
Additional check 1. Complete matching left dislocation: Dem Besucher, ___ habe ich geholfen.
Dem. Helfen selects dative, and both referential expressions match in this pattern.
Additional check 2. Rewrite with ordinary fronting and no resumptive word: Diese Aufgabe, die erledige ich morgen.
Diese Aufgabe erledige ich morgen. The object itself occupies the front field; no second die is needed.
Additional check 3. Does Den Schlüssel habe ich Nora gegeben contain an extra resumptive pronoun?
No. Den Schlüssel is ordinary fronting. Compare Den Schlüssel, den habe ich Nora gegeben for the additional resumptive word.
Start with the topic overview
Nested German clauses: follow the verbs and roles · Find another grammar topic
Sources and further learning
- IDS grammis: Oberfeld
- IDS grammis: linkes Außenfeld
- IDS grammis: Gewichtung bei Fokuspartikeln, Negation, Spalt- und Sperrsätzen
- IDS grammis: Attribut
- Rat für deutsche Rechtschreibung via IDS: Komma bei Zusätzen
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