Breakdown of Er lügt gewohnheitsmäßig, als ob es völlig normal wäre.
sein
to be
er
he
es
it
lügen
to lie (tell a falsehood)
als ob
as if
völlig
completely
normal
normal
gewohnheitsmäßig
habitually
Questions & Answers about Er lügt gewohnheitsmäßig, als ob es völlig normal wäre.
How is the word gewohnheitsmäßig formed in this sentence?
It is built from the noun die Gewohnheit (the habit) and the suffix -mäßig. This suffix is used to form adjectives or adverbs meaning 'in the manner of' or 'in accordance with'. Notice that an extra -s- (a connecting Fugen-s) is inserted between the noun and the suffix to make it flow better when spoken.
Could I use the suffix -haft here instead and say gewohnheitshaft?
No, gewohnheitsmäßig is the set vocabulary word for 'habitual'. While both suffixes turn nouns into adjectives, they have slightly different flavors. The suffix -mäßig often relates to a system, pattern, or measure (perfect for a routine habit), whereas -haft usually describes an inherent character trait or likeness (like rätselhaft for 'mysterious').
Why is wäre used here instead of the normal present tense ist?
The phrase als ob (as if) sets up an unreal or hypothetical situation. He acts as if his lying is normal, but in reality, it isn't. Because the comparison is hypothetical, German requires the Konjunktiv II (Subjunctive II) form wäre (were / would be).
Why does wäre go at the very end of the sentence?
The phrase als ob acts as a subordinating conjunction. Just like dass or weil, subordinating conjunctions kick the conjugated verb (in this case, wäre) to the very end of their clause.
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