Question 1

Why isn't there a dass (that) after bemerkte?

Accepted Answer

Just like in English, German can drop the conjunction dass (that). When you drop dass, the following clause acts like a standard main clause, so the conjugated verb (war) stays in the second position instead of moving to the very end. If we used the conjunction, it would look like this: Der Chirurg bemerkte, dass die Blutung leider sehr stark war.

Question 2

Since the surgeon is reporting an observation, shouldn't we use Konjunktiv I (like sei) instead of war?

Accepted Answer

While Konjunktiv I (the subjunctive mood used for reported speech) is standard in formal news or medical reports, using the normal indicative mood (war) is very common in everyday narratives. It is especially used when stating a factual observation rather than distancing yourself from an unverified claim—the bleeding actually was heavy.

Question 3

Why is 'heavy' translated as stark instead of a word like 'schwer'?

Accepted Answer

In German, natural forces or bodily processes like bleeding, rain, or wind are described as 'strong' (stark) rather than 'heavy'. So 'heavy bleeding' is eine starke Blutung, just like 'heavy rain' is starker Regen.

Question 4

Could I say hat bemerkt instead of bemerkte?

Accepted Answer

Yes, hat bemerkt (the spoken past tense, or Perfekt) is what you would normally use in everyday conversation. bemerkte (the simple past, or Präteritum) gives the sentence a slightly more formal or literary tone, like you are reading from a book or written report. Note that for the verb sein, the simple past war is preferred in both spoken and written German.

Der Chirurg bemerkte, die Blutung war leider sehr stark.

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