01
drohend
threatening / looming
Describes a danger or negative event that seems to be about to happen.
example
Trotz der drohenden Gewitterwolken gingen sie weiter.
Despite the threatening storm clouds, they kept going.
drohend
threatening
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word formation
'Drohend' (threatening/looming) is the present participle of the verb 'drohen' (to threaten). It is used like an adjective and describes something that currently poses a threat or is imminent.
EXAMPLE
Die drohende Wirtschaftskrise macht vielen Menschen Sorgen.
The looming economic crisis is worrying many people.
Sentence structure and usage
The word can stand as an adjective before a noun or as an adverb describing a verb. As an adjective, it describes an impending danger; as an adverb, an intimidating action.
EXAMPLE
Eine drohende Gefahr muss ernst genommen werden.
A threatening danger must be taken seriously.
Typical collocations
In this meaning, 'drohend' (threatening/looming) is often combined with abstract nouns that describe a negative development. Typical examples are 'drohende Gefahr' (looming danger), 'drohender Verlust' (threatened loss), or 'drohendes Unheil' (impending disaster).
EXAMPLE
Die Firma konnte den drohenden Bankrott gerade noch abwenden.
The company was just barely able to avert the looming bankruptcy.
Compare with
drohend vs drohen
to threaten
'drohen' and 'drohend' are closely related, but they have different grammatical roles. 'drohen' is a verb: someone announces a negative consequence, or a negative event is about to happen. 'drohend' is an adjective and describes a person, a voice, a gesture, or even a danger. Learners may confuse them because both have to do with danger or intimidation. In practice: if an action is happening, 'drohen' fits; if you are describing how something comes across, 'drohend' fits.
drohend
Mit drohender Stimme sagte der Trainer, dass niemand zu spät kommen soll.
In a threatening voice, the coach said that no one should arrive late.
drohen
Der Kunde drohte mit einer Beschwerde, weil die Lieferung zu spät kam.
The customer threatened to file a complaint because the delivery arrived too late.
In real life
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