Breakdown of Zwar lässt sich das Format überprüfen, aber es dauert lange.
es
it
aber
but
lange
for a long time, long
dauern
to last / to take (time)
Questions & Answers about Zwar lässt sich das Format überprüfen, aber es dauert lange.
How does lässt sich ... überprüfen translate to 'can be checked'? I thought lassen means 'to let'.
In German, using sich lassen with another verb in its infinitive form (here, überprüfen) is a common way to express that something can be done. It is an active-sounding alternative to the passive voice. You could also say Das Format kann überprüft werden (The format can be checked), but Das Format lässt sich überprüfen means the exact same thing and is used constantly in everyday German.
Why do we need both Zwar and aber in this sentence?
Zwar ... aber is a two-part connector meaning 'admittedly ... but' or 'it is true that ... but'. While you could just use aber on its own in the second half, adding Zwar at the beginning sets up a clear expectation. It tells the listener right away that you are making a concession before you introduce the downside.
Why is the verb lässt immediately after Zwar?
Zwar is an adverb. Because it occupies the first position in the sentence, the conjugated verb (lässt) must take the second position to satisfy German's V2 (verb-second) rule. This pushes the subject (das Format) to the other side of the verb.
Does aber change the word order in the second half of the sentence?