Question 1

Why is the word order Allerdings bin ich and not Allerdings ich bin?

Accepted Answer

Allerdings is an adverbial connector, meaning it acts as an adverb taking up the first position (Position 1) in the sentence. Because German strictly follows the V2 rule (the verb must be the second element in a main clause), the verb bin must come immediately after it. This pushes the subject ich into the third position.

Question 2

Could I just use Aber instead of Allerdings here?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but both the word order and the nuance would change. Aber is a coordinating conjunction, which takes Position 0, meaning it doesn't count towards the word order. You would say Aber ich bin lieber allein. Using allerdings (however) instead of aber (but) adds a slightly stronger, more formal sense of contrast.

Question 3

The translation says "I prefer", but there is no verb for "prefer" in the German sentence. How does that work?

Accepted Answer

In German, "preferring" to do something is usually expressed by adding the adverb lieber to the verb. Lieber is the comparative form of gern or gerne (gladly). So, ich bin lieber allein literally translates to I am more gladly alone, which naturally means I prefer to be alone.

Question 4

I learned that die Menge means "the amount". Does it also mean "the crowd"?

Accepted Answer

Yes! When used on its own in a social context, die Menge refers to a large amount of people, meaning a crowd. You will also frequently see it used to mean "a lot of", like in the phrase eine Menge Zeit (a lot of time).

Der Kollege liebt die Menge. Allerdings bin ich lieber allein.

Breakdown of Der Kollege liebt die Menge. Allerdings bin ich lieber allein.

Questions & Answers about Der Kollege liebt die Menge. Allerdings bin ich lieber allein.

Learn Der Kollege liebt die Menge. Allerdings bin ich lieber allein and more in German