das Gros
bulk / majority
The largest or predominant part of a group or quantity; the majority.
EXAMPLE
Das Gros der Teilnehmer stimmte dem Vorschlag zu.
The bulk of the participants agreed to the proposal.
das Gros
bulk / gross
das Gros, die Grosse
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Meanings
das Gros
gross
An old unit of quantity equal to 144 items, formerly used mainly in trade.
EXAMPLE
Der Händler bestellte ein Gros Knöpfe.
The merchant ordered a gross of buttons.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Gros, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance (das)
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| plural | die Grosse |
| genitive | des Grosses |
The four cases (das)
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Gros | die Grosse |
| accusative | das Gros | die Grosse |
| dative | dem Gros | den Grossen |
| genitive | des Grosses | der Grosse |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
At a glance (das)
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| plural | die Gros |
| genitive | des Gros |
The four cases (das)
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Gros | die Gros |
| accusative | das Gros | die Gros |
| dative | dem Gros | den Gros |
| genitive | des Gros | der Gros |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
At a glance (der)
| gender | masculine der |
|---|---|
| plural | die Gros |
| genitive | des Gros |
The four cases (der)
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | der Gros | die Gros |
| accusative | den Gros | die Gros |
| dative | dem Gros | den Gros |
| genitive | des Gros | der Gros |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Formal style
'Das Gros' (the bulk / majority) is especially suitable in written and somewhat elevated texts, particularly in reports, news articles, and factual analyses.
EXAMPLE
Das Gros der Bevölkerung unterstützt die neue Regelung.
The bulk of the population supports the new regulation.
Genitive construction
In the meaning 'Mehrheit' (majority), 'das Gros' (the bulk / majority) is often used with 'der' and a genitive: 'das Gros der Teilnehmer' (the bulk of the participants), 'das Gros der Bevölkerung' (the bulk of the population), or 'das Gros der Stimmen' (the majority of the votes). Grammatically, the verb agrees with 'Gros' and is usually in the singular.
EXAMPLE
Das Gros der Gäste reiste schon am Nachmittag ab.
The bulk of the guests left in the afternoon.
Quantity expression
As a historical quantity, 'Gros' (gross) often appears directly before a plural noun naming the goods being counted. This usage is found especially in old trade records or historical texts.
EXAMPLE
Im Lager lag noch ein Gros Kerzen bereit.
There was still a gross of candles in storage.
In real life
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