ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the use of word formation in the German grammar. It deals with the way in which words are derived from other words in German. Word formation is a complex issue, as there are usually different ways of deriving words of a similar meaning, and there often is no apparent ‘reason’ for the choice of derivation. In German, nouns can be formed from other words (nouns, adjectives, verbs) usually by adding a suffix. The use of an infinitive form as a noun is an extremely frequent and productive way of deriving nouns which refer to the action described by the verb. It very often corresponds to an English present participle in ‘-ing’. The infinitive forms of German verbs are formed from nouns and adjectives by the addition of –en. A compound is a word made up of two or more words that can also be used independently.
