01
zugrunde gehen
to perish
To be completely destroyed, go under, or die.
example
Ohne Wasser würden die Pflanzen in der Hitze schnell zugrunde gehen.
Without water, the plants would quickly perish in the heat.
zugrunde
to perish / underlie
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word structure
The word 'zugrunde' is a fixed combination of 'zu' (to) and 'Grunde', the dative of 'der Grund' (ground/basis). It literally means 'to the ground' or 'onto the ground'. This origin explains the meanings of destruction or basis.
EXAMPLE
Das alte Gebäude ist bei dem Sturm zugrunde gegangen.
The old building perished in the storm.
Sentence structure
'Zugrunde' is almost always used with a verb and behaves in the sentence like a separable prefix. In a main clause, the conjugated verb is in position 2 and 'zugrunde' is at the end. In a subordinate clause, both parts stand together at the end.
EXAMPLE
Seine Firma ging durch die Krise zugrunde.
His company went under because of the crisis.
Dative construction
The expression 'zugrunde liegen' (to underlie/be based on) is used with the dative. The thing that serves as the basis is the subject, and the thing for which it is the basis is in the dative.
EXAMPLE
Dem Vertrag liegt eine lange Verhandlung zugrunde.
A long negotiation underlies the contract.
Accusative construction
The expression 'zugrunde legen' (to base on/use as a basis) is used with an accusative object. The person acting is the subject, and the thing used as the basis is in the accusative.
EXAMPLE
Der Gutachter legte seiner Bewertung die neuesten Daten zugrunde.
The expert based his evaluation on the latest data.
Register
All expressions with 'zugrunde' belong more to written language or a formal style. 'Zugrunde liegen' (to underlie/be based on) and 'zugrunde legen' (to base on/use as a basis) are especially typical of academic, legal, or official texts.
EXAMPLE
Der Argumentation des Autors liegt ein Denkfehler zugrunde.
A flaw in reasoning underlies the author's argument.
Compare with
zugrunde vs sterben
to die
'sterben' and 'zugrunde gehen' can both mean that a living being does not continue to live. 'sterben' is the normal and direct word for the end of life in humans, animals, or plants. 'zugrunde gehen' sounds heavier and, besides death, can also mean that something is completely destroyed or goes under. With people, 'sterben' is usually more natural. 'zugrunde gehen' fits better with animals, plants, groups, places, or things that are destroyed by bad conditions.
zugrunde
Ohne Wasser werden die Pflanzen auf dem Balkon zugrunde gehen.
Without water, the plants on the balcony will perish.
sterben
Der alte Baum ist nach dem Sturm langsam gestorben.
The old tree slowly died after the storm.
In real life
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