erläuternde

Erläuternde is a German adjective formed from the verb erläutern, meaning to explain or clarify. As an attributive adjective, it describes something that provides explanation or clarification, often used to label notes, passages, figures, or statements that are intended to make something easier to understand. Common senses include explanatory, clarifying, or interpretive.

In usage, erläuternde is frequently found in academic, technical, and journalistic writing. Typical collocations include erläuternde Bemerkung (explanatory remark), erläuternde Grafik (explanatory graphic), and erläuternde Hinweise (clarifying notes). The form is declined like other attributive adjectives and changes with gender, number, and case. For example: eine erläuternde Bemerkung (feminine singular, nominative), ein erläuternder Hinweis (masculine singular), ein erläuterndes Beispiel (neuter singular). Plural forms vary with article and case: erläuternde Hinweise (no article, plural) or die erläuternden Hinweise (with definite article).

Grammatical note: erläuternde is the base attributive form in feminine singular and can appear in other inflected forms depending on article and case. It stems from the present participle erläuternd, but when used attributively before a noun, it takes endings like a regular attributive adjective. The noun phrase conveys that the accompanying text or element serves to explain the content.

Related terms include Erläuterung (the explanatory note or clarification) and erläutern (to explain). In usage, erläuternde is a precise, formal option for indicating that content is designed to clarify or illuminate.