Breakdown of Dafür, dass die Kamera alt ist, kann sie problemlos mithalten.
sein
to be
sie
she
alt
old
die Kamera
the camera
können
can / to be able to
dass
that
problemlos
without problems
dafür, dass
considering that
mithalten
to keep up
Questions & Answers about Dafür, dass die Kamera alt ist, kann sie problemlos mithalten.
How exactly does dafür, dass create a contrast in this sentence?
The phrase dafür, dass translates to "considering that" or "for the fact that." It sets up an expectation based on a specific condition (the camera being old) so that the main clause can deliver a surprising result (it keeps up easily).
Why is there a comma between dafür and dass?
Structurally, dafür acts as a pointer that belongs to the main clause, while dass kicks off the actual subordinate clause. The comma is required to separate these grammatical units.
Why does the second part of the sentence start with the verb kann instead of the subject sie?
The entire subordinate clause (Dafür, dass die Kamera alt ist) occupies position 1 of the overall sentence. Because German requires the conjugated verb to be in position 2, kann must come immediately after the comma, followed by the subject sie.
Is mithalten a separable verb, and why didn't it split?
Yes, mithalten (to keep up / to compete) is a separable verb. However, because the clause uses the modal verb kann, the action verb is pushed to the very end of the sentence in its full infinitive form, so it does not separate here.
Can I reverse the order of the clauses and put the main clause first?
Yes! You could say: Die Kamera kann problemlos mithalten, dafür, dass sie alt ist. Starting with the dafür, dass clause, as in our original example, simply puts more emphasis on the expectation before revealing the surprise.
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