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Second sentence of Unfälle mit E-Scootern: "Jeder Helm ist eine Hilfe", tagesschau.de, 18 August 2026. Quoted for study. The words are the publisher's; the analysis is ours.
Meaning
But the number of accidents in Germany is rising.
Word for word: Yet the number of-the accidents in Germany rises.
Contradicts or contrasts with something said before: despite expectations, accident numbers in Germany are increasing.
A simple main-clause statement in the present tense. 'Doch' is a coordinating particle meaning 'but/yet'. The subject is the noun phrase 'die Zahl der Unfälle', where 'der Unfälle' is genitive plural depending on 'Zahl'. The finite verb 'steigt' stands in second position (verb-second rule) and agrees with the singular subject 'Zahl'.
Rules at work(6)
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Doch die Zahl der Unfälle in Deutschland steigt.
The finite verb 'steigt' appears in second position of the main clause even though the clause opens with the connector phrase 'Doch die Zahl der Unfälle in Deutschland'.
In a German main clause the finite verb is always the second element. The first element can be the subject, but it can just as easily be a time expression, an object or a whole subordinate clause; whatever it is, it counts as one element and the verb follows it. This is why putting something other than the subject first pushes the subject after the verb.
Does this rule belong on this sentence? -
die Zahl ... steigt
The verb ends in -st because the subject head is the singular feminine noun 'Zahl', not the plural 'Unfälle'.
The finite verb takes an ending that matches its subject in person and number. The endings for regular verbs in the present are e, st, t, en, t, en.
Does this rule belong on this sentence? -
der Unfälle
'Die Zahl' regularly takes a genitive attribute naming what is counted; 'der Unfälle' is genitive plural.
The genitive shows possession and follows a small set of prepositions. Masculine and neuter nouns add s or es. In speech it is often replaced by von plus the dative, but it is alive in writing and in fixed expressions.
Does this rule belong on this sentence? -
steigt
The present tense is used for a current ongoing development, which German does without a progressive form.
The present describes what is happening now, what happens habitually, and very often what is going to happen, since German uses the present with a time expression where English would use a future.
Does this rule belong on this sentence? -
in Deutschland
'In' expresses static location here, so it governs the dative; 'Deutschland' has no visible case marking but is dative.
An, auf, hinter, in, neben, über, unter, vor and zwischen take the accusative when the phrase answers where to, and the dative when it answers where. The distinction is movement across a boundary against position, not motion against stillness.
Does this rule belong on this sentence? -
die Zahl
The subject of the sentence appears in the nominative case.
The nominative marks the subject of the clause: whoever or whatever is doing the verb. It is also the case used after the verbs sein, werden and bleiben, so both sides of Das ist mein Bruder stand in the nominative.
Does this rule belong on this sentence?
Words(8)
- doch
yet, but, however
conjunctionA2coordinating
As a sentence-initial connector it signals contrast with what was said before; it does not mean English 'doch' of affirmative answers.
- die
the
determinerA1definite
- die Zahl
number, figure
nounA2pl. Zahlengen. Zahlstrong declension
'die Zahl der ...' takes a genitive complement; do not confuse with 'die Nummer'.
- der
the
determinerA1definite
Appears twice: dative feminine 'der Wirtschaft' and nominative plural 'die Beschlüsse'.
- der Unfall
accident
nounA2pl. Unfällegen. Unfallsstrong declension
- in
in, into
prepositionA1governs accusative or dative
Dative for location, accusative for direction.
- das Deutschland
Germany
nounA1pl. —gen. Deutschlandsinvariable declension
- steigen
to rise, to climb, to increase
verbB1steigen, stieg, ist gestiegenmit seinstrong
Used both literally (climbing) and figuratively for numbers and prices rising.