The “Field Model” (Feldermodell) or “topological model” is a widely used method in Germanic linguistics to describe German sentence structure. It divides sentences into “fields” and establishes rules for how these fields are occupied depending on sentence type (declarative, interrogative, etc.). This descriptive framework allows various sentences to be organized according to their appearance, though it doesn’t address deeper aspects of grammatical structure like complete analysis of sentence elements or constituents.
Origin and Development
An early form of dividing German sentences into three fields originated with Erich Drach (1937), who distinguished between “Vorfeld” (prefield), “Mitte” (middle), and “Nachfeld” (postfield). From this division came the term “Kernsatz” (core sentence) for the German verb-second sentence, as the finite verb formed the middle of the sentence. Modern presentations of the field model have evolved to include five fields as the basic structure:
- Vorfeld (prefield)
- Linke Klammer (left bracket)
- Mittelfeld (middle field)
- Rechte Klammer (right bracket)
- Nachfeld (postfield)
Additional fields that don’t play a role in all sentences are sometimes named as well, particularly various “outer fields.”
The field model is also common for the grammar of Scandinavian (Germanic) languages. Paul Diderichsen developed an influential variant for Danish in 1946, which differs somewhat since Danish, unlike German, is an SVO language.
The Field Arrangement
The Sentence Bracket and Middle Field
Typical for German main clauses is the so-called “sentence bracket” (Satzklammer) the phenomenon where the finite verb form appears early in the sentence but remaining parts of the predicate (e.g., infinitive verbs or separable verb particles) follow at the end of the sentence. These two positions serve as orientation markers in the model they bracket an area called the “middle field,” with a “prefield” and a “postfield” outside this bracket
| Vorfeld | Linke Klammer | Mittelfeld | Rechte Klammer | Nachfeld |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gestern | hat | die Katze uns eine Maus vor die Tür | gelegt | |
| Die Katze | legte | eine Maus vor der Tür | ab | |
| — | weil | die Katze uns eine Maus vor die Tür | gelegt hat | |
| — | — | Uns eine Maus vor die Tür | zu legen | ! |
The middle field is where all sentence elements initially stand unless they’re assigned to another field due to special rules. The middle field contains a position for the subject, unless it’s moved to the prefield (as in the second example above).
The left bracket is used for both the sentence-introducing conjunction of the subordinate clause and the finite verb of the main clause. The left bracket in the examples above is always the position directly before the middle field position of the subject.
The Right Bracket as Verbal Complex
The right bracket contains the finite verb when it stands at the end of the sentence (as in subordinate clauses). Furthermore, all other components of the predicate, especially the entire verbal complex, which in German can consist of multiple verbs, are assigned to the right bracket.
The Oberfeld (Upper Field)
A fine subdivision becomes necessary for constructions in which the finite verb is pulled in front of the other verbs at the end of the sentence This additional position is then called the “Oberfeld” (upper field)
| Vorfeld | Linke Klammer | Mittelfeld | Oberfeld | Rechte Klammer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| dass | er es mich | hat | machen lassen |
The Prefield
The prefield serves for the placement of any material that should either be taken up as given information from the context (a so-called topic) or for material that should be emphasized as a contrast. The occupation of the prefield by a sentence part is (somewhat imprecisely) also referred to as “topicalization” of this sentence part. Apart from the finite verb, almost all types of sentence parts can be used to occupy the prefield.
The Postfield
The postfield serves primarily to extract long sentence elements, such as subordinate clauses (also known as “Ausklammerung”). In principle, subordinate clauses can stand in the corresponding position in the middle field, especially if they are adverbial clauses. However, for subject or object clauses, this is considered grammatically unacceptable.
Field Occupation and Marking of Sentence Types
The different sentence types (such as interrogative, declarative, etc., as well as main clause and subordinate clause) are marked in German by an interplay of several elements. These include the verb mode (subjunctive/indicative), intonation, but also the various occupations of the prefield and the left bracket. The middle field, on the other hand, does not participate in the marking of sentence types but is common to all types of sentences.
Traditionally, three sentence forms are distinguished for German:
- Verb-second sentence (also core sentence)
- Verb-first sentence (also initial sentence)
- Verb-end sentence (also spanning sentence)
The verb-second position is the sentence form in which the prefield is obligatorily occupied (even if by an expletive pronoun) and the finite verb stands in the left bracket immediately after it. This is the form that applies to declarative sentences or wh-questions as main clauses.
The verb-first sentence comes about by the verb also appearing in the left bracket, but the prefield remains obligatorily empty. This form is used for yes/no questions or imperatives.
Subordinate clauses introduced by conjunctions are verb-end sentences. Conjunctions occupy the left bracket; plausibly, then, only the end position remains for the finite verb.
Interpretation of the Field Division in Syntax Theory
In syntax theories that seek explanations for the properties of sentence structure using abstract structures, such as generative grammar, the field model is not classified as a counter-proposal to such a theory, but as a collection of observations for which explanations and derivations can be provided.
When analyzing the German sentence according to X-bar theory, the middle field and right bracket together form a phrase, the prefield forms a phrase, and the verb stands as a single syntactic word in the left bracket. This results in a structure exactly as predicted by X-bar theory: the division into specifier, head, and complement.
Understanding the Field Model helps us comprehend why German sentences have their characteristic structure and how different sentence types are formed through the systematic occupation of these fields.
How To Make A Healthier Chicken Caesar Salad
To make this healthier Caesar salad, I used the same ingredients found in a classic version – I just watched the portions of each. I also used a bottled, lite Caesar dressing.
Prior to assembling the salad, you’ll need to cook the grilled chicken breast. I suggest grilling it, or baking it in the oven. That way, you don’t need to add any additional oil to the chicken. Once the chicken is cooked, slice it and set it aside.
Make sure to clean the romaine lettuce prior to eating. To do that, pull apart each leaf, and run under cool, running water. Allow the lettuce to drain in a colander, then place it on a towel to dry.
When you’re ready to assemble the salad, chop the romaine and put it into a large bowl. Add the shaved Parmesan cheese, croutons and sliced grilled chicken. If you are using large croutons, I suggest breaking them in half before putting them in the salad. That makes it easier to eat, and allows you to include a piece of crouton with each bite of salad. Finish by drizzling with lite Caesar dressing.
How Many Calories Are In A Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad?
In addition to a side Caesar salad, many restaurants offer a grilled chicken Caesar salad as a lunch or dinner entrée. That’s what my client Bill ordered. The calorie and fat content found in the entrée size can have a pretty big range. That’s because, the size of the salad and the dressing recipe varies from one restaurant to another.
To give a general idea, I looked up the nutrition information for a grilled chicken Caesar salad at four different common restaurants. The calories ranged from 560 to 1,050, and the fat grams ranged from between 40 and 60 grams, per salad.
The majority of calories in a Caesar salad come from the dressing. Caesar dressing is made by combining anchovies, egg yolks, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, garlic, oil, Parmesan cheese and salt. While that combination makes for a highly flavorful dressing, it also creates one that’s higher in calories and fat.
I absolutely love Caesar dressing, so by no means am I suggesting you swap the dressing for something else. If you do, it’s no longer a Caesar salad. Instead, choose a lighter version of the dressing. There are many store-bought brands that are lower in calories and fat, and just as flavorful.
The Ultimate Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad (Healthy & Delicious!)
FAQ
How many calories are in a plate of chicken caesar salad?
Restaurant Caesar salad calories
The most popular ones appear to be at Panera, Applebee’s, and Longhorn. Here’s how the Caesar salad calories stack up for each restaurant: Panera: 210 calories for a half, 410 for whole. Applebees: 230 for small caesar / 790 for large with chicken (980 if the breadstick is included)
How many calories are in a basic chicken caesar salad?
| 333 | Calories |
|---|---|
| 17g | Fat |
| 6g | Carbs |
| 36g | Protein |
How many calories are in a large bowl of Caesar salad?
One cup of Large caesar salad is around 240 grams and contains approximately 448.0 calories, 8.0 grams of protein, 36 grams of fat, and 24 grams of carbohydrates. Large Caesar Salad is a vibrant dish that embodies the classic flavors of Italian cuisine.
Are chicken caesar salads high in calories?
A traditional Caesar salad has 470 calories, 40 grams of fat (9 grams of which are saturated) and 1070 milligrams of sodium. Even the “side salad” boasts 362 calories, 26 grams of fat, 7 grams of saturated fat and 913 milligrams of sodium. You’re almost better off with buttered popcorn and chocolate.