Breakdown of Ich erkenne den Strauch anhand dieses Merkmals, wobei die Blüte oft fehlt.
ich
I
oft
often
dieser
this / that (fem.: diese, neut.: dieses)
fehlen
to be missing
erkennen
to recognize / to realize
der
who, which, that (relative pronoun; die, das)
wobei
whereby (recognizing that)
anhand
on the basis of / by means of
das Merkmal
the feature
die Blüte
the blossom
der Strauch
the bush
Questions & Answers about Ich erkenne den Strauch anhand dieses Merkmals, wobei die Blüte oft fehlt.
Why is it dieses Merkmals after anhand?
The preposition anhand (meaning "on the basis of" or "by means of") requires the genitive case. Since das Merkmal (the feature or characteristic) is a neuter noun, the demonstrative pronoun changes to dieses and we add the -s ending to the noun, making it dieses Merkmals.
Could I use an instead of anhand here, like Ich erkenne den Strauch an diesem Merkmal?
Yes, you can! The phrase erkennen an (always followed by the dative case) is a very common way to say "to recognize by." Using anhand (with the genitive) has the exact same core meaning but sounds slightly more formal, analytical, or scientific, emphasizing the specific evidence used for identification.
How does wobei function in this sentence?
Wobei introduces an accompanying circumstance, a contrast, or a slight caveat. In this context, it translates nicely to "whereby," "although," or "bearing in mind that." Because it acts as a subordinating conjunction here, it kicks the conjugated verb (fehlt) to the very end of the clause.
What is the difference between der Strauch and der Busch?
Both translate to "bush" or "shrub." Der Strauch is often preferred in botanical or slightly more technical contexts, which fits the analytical tone of identifying a plant anhand (on the basis of) a specific feature. Der Busch is the more colloquial, everyday word you would use for a generic bush in your yard.
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