Breakdown of Der Lärm lenkt mich zu sehr ab, als dass ich mich konzentrieren könnte.
ich
I
sehr
very
mich
me
zu
too (e.g., too big)
können
can / to be able to
der Lärm
the noise
sich konzentrieren
to concentrate
als dass
than that
ablenken
to distract
Questions & Answers about Der Lärm lenkt mich zu sehr ab, als dass ich mich konzentrieren könnte.
Why do we use könnte (Konjunktiv II) in the second part of the sentence?
The structure zu ... als dass expresses an irreal consequence. It describes an outcome that doesn't actually happen because the first part of the sentence prevents it. Since your ability to concentrate is prevented by the noise, German requires the subjunctive form (Konjunktiv II) könnte to show it is only a hypothetical outcome.
Could I use an infinitive clause with um ... zu here, like um mich konzentrieren zu können?
No, because the two clauses have different subjects. The subject of the first part is Der Lärm (the noise), while the subject of the second part is ich (I). You can only use a zu ... um zu structure if the actor is the exact same in both parts. Because the subject changes, you must use als dass with a fully conjugated verb.
Why is 'too much' translated here as zu sehr instead of zu viel?
We use zu sehr when describing the intensity or degree of an action or feeling, such as distracting, loving, or worrying. zu viel is used for uncountable quantities or amounts of a noun, like having too much time or drinking too much coffee. Since the action of distracting (ablenken) is intense, zu sehr is the correct choice.
Why does the word mich appear twice in this sentence?
They serve two completely different grammatical roles! The first mich is the direct object of the separable verb ablenken (to distract). The second mich is the reflexive pronoun required by the verb sich konzentrieren (to concentrate), which simply matches the subject ich in the second clause.
Learn Der Lärm lenkt mich zu sehr ab, als dass ich mich konzentrieren könnte and more in German
All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods, no signup needed.
- ✓ Practice with interactive exercises
- ✓ Track your progress with spaced repetition
- ✓Learn at your own pace — completely free