Word
Der Prüfer hätte das Lenkrad übernehmen können.
Meaning
The examiner could have taken over the steering wheel.
Part of speech
sentence
Pronunciation
Course
Breakdown of Der Prüfer hätte das Lenkrad übernehmen können.
haben
to have
können
can / to be able to
übernehmen
to take over
der Prüfer
the examiner
Questions & Answers about Der Prüfer hätte das Lenkrad übernehmen können.
Why does this sentence use the infinitive können at the end instead of the past participle gekonnt?
This is because of the double infinitive rule. When you use a modal verb like können in a past tense alongside another verb (übernehmen), the modal verb stays in its infinitive form rather than changing to its past participle.
Why is the word order übernehmen können and not können übernehmen?
In a main clause with a double infinitive, the modal verb always goes at the very end of the sentence. Therefore, the main action (übernehmen) comes right before the modal verb (können).
How do hätte and können work together to mean 'could have'?
hätte is the hypothetical (Subjunctive II) form of haben. When you combine hätte in the second position with a main verb and a modal verb at the end, it creates a past hypothetical statement. Together, hätte ... übernehmen können expresses an unrealized past possibility: the examiner could have taken over, but did not.
Is übernehmen a separable verb?
übernehmen (to take over) is an inseparable verb, meaning the über- prefix never breaks off. In this sentence, it wouldn't separate anyway because the double infinitive rule requires the full infinitive form, but it is a great detail to remember when using this verb in the present tense!