Breakdown of Ich hebe nicht ab, sooft die Nummer unbekannt ist.
ich
I
sein
to be
nicht
not
unbekannt
unknown
Questions & Answers about Ich hebe nicht ab, sooft die Nummer unbekannt ist.
Why is the verb ist at the very end of the sentence?
Because sooft (whenever) is a subordinating conjunction. Just like dass or weil, it introduces a subordinate clause and forces the conjugated verb (ist) to move to the very end of that clause.
Could I use immer wenn instead of sooft in this sentence?
Absolutely. immer wenn is a very common synonym for sooft and means exactly the same thing. sooft sounds slightly more formal or literary, but they are completely interchangeable in everyday contexts.
Does the separable verb abheben specifically mean 'to answer the phone'?
In this context, yes! As a separable verb, its prefix ab sits at the end of the main clause. However, abheben is versatile: it is also the standard verb for withdrawing cash from a bank account or for an airplane taking off.
Can I flip the sentence and put the sooft clause first?
Yes, you can start with the subordinate clause to emphasize the condition: Sooft die Nummer unbekannt ist, hebe ich nicht ab. Notice that if you do this, the main clause must immediately start with its verb (hebe), because the entire sooft clause acts as the first block of information in the sentence.