Question 1

Why are die nächste Etappe and die ganze Reiseroute in the accusative case here instead of using a preposition?

Accepted Answer

While wandern (to hike) is typically an intransitive verb of motion used with prepositions (e.g., Wir wandern im Wald), it can be used with an accusative object when you specify the exact route or distance being covered. Here, the route and the stage are treated as the direct objects being hiked.

Question 2

How does the two-part conjunction nicht nur ..., sondern auch ... work here?

Accepted Answer

It translates to "not only ..., but also ...". German uses sondern instead of aber here because it follows a negative statement (nicht nur) and introduces a contrast that builds upon it. The two parts connect grammatically equal elements, which in this sentence are the two accusative objects.

Question 3

Is the comma before sondern always required?

Accepted Answer

Yes! In German, you must always place a comma before coordinating conjunctions that express an opposition or restriction, such as aber, doch, and sondern. This strict rule applies even when the conjunction is just connecting two nouns rather than two full clauses.

Question 4

Could I start the sentence with Nicht nur? How would that change the word order?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can pull it to the front for emphasis! If you do, the conjugated verb must still stay in the second position, leading to an inversion of the subject and verb: Nicht nur die nächste Etappe wandern wir, sondern auch die ganze Reiseroute.

Wir wandern nicht nur die nächste Etappe, sondern auch die ganze Reiseroute.

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