Breakdown of Du musst den Code kopieren, sonst löscht das System den Benutzernamen.
du
you (informal singular)
müssen
to have to, must
kopieren
to copy
der
who, which, that (relative pronoun; die, das)
das System
the system
löschen
to delete
sonst
otherwise, or else
der Code
the code
der Benutzername
the username
Questions & Answers about Du musst den Code kopieren, sonst löscht das System den Benutzernamen.
Why does the verb löscht come immediately after sonst?
The word sonst (otherwise) is an adverbial connector. It occupies the first position in the second clause. Because German main clauses require the conjugated verb in position 2, the verb löscht must come right after it. This makes it different from coordinating conjunctions like und or aber, which sit outside the clause in Position 0.
Could I change the word order to put das System first in the second clause?
Yes, because sonst is an adverb, it can move around. You could write ..., das System löscht sonst den Benutzernamen. Here, das System takes position 1, the verb löscht stays in position 2, and sonst moves into the middle of the clause.
Why does the word Benutzername have an -n at the end here (Benutzernamen)?
The word der Benutzername belongs to a special group of masculine nouns called weak nouns (or n-declension nouns). These nouns add an -n or -en in every case except the nominative subject. Since the username is the direct object being deleted, it is in the accusative case, making it den Benutzernamen.
Why do we use a comma before sonst?
In German, you must use a comma to separate two independent main clauses. Because sonst acts as the connector linking these two separate but related thoughts together, a comma is required right before it.
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