Breakdown of Sie müssen die Software heute genau im Büro testen, andernfalls ist die Nutzung kostenpflichtig.
sein
to be
Sie
you (formal)
heute
today
das Büro
the office
müssen
to have to, must
genau
exactly / precise, exact
im
in the (used with months) / in the (contraction of in + dem)
der
who, which, that (relative pronoun; die, das)
testen
to test (try out)
die Software
the software
andernfalls
otherwise
die Nutzung
the use
kostenpflichtig
subject to a charge
Questions & Answers about Sie müssen die Software heute genau im Büro testen, andernfalls ist die Nutzung kostenpflichtig.
Why does the verb ist come immediately after andernfalls?
andernfalls is an adverbial connector, not a standard coordinating conjunction like und or aber. This means it occupies position 1 in its clause, so the conjugated verb (ist) must come directly after it in position 2.
Does andernfalls mean the exact same thing as sonst?
Yes, both mean 'otherwise' and both trigger the exact same word order. However, andernfalls is much more formal. You will often see it in business, legal, or official contexts like this software warning, whereas sonst is more common in everyday conversational German.
Why is the word order heute genau im Büro?
The phrase follows the standard German word order rule often remembered as TeKaMoLo. This rule sequences adverbs and prepositional phrases in the order of Time (heute), Cause, Manner (genau - meaning carefully or exactly here), and Place (im Büro).
How is the word kostenpflichtig formed?
It combines die Kosten (costs) with the suffix -pflichtig, which comes from die Pflicht (duty or obligation). In formal German, -pflichtig is added to nouns to mean 'subject to' or 'requiring' something. Thus, kostenpflichtig means 'subject to a fee' or 'chargeable'.
Why does the second clause use the noun die Nutzung instead of a verb phrase like 'wenn man sie nutzt'?
Turning verbs into nouns is known as 'Nominalstil' (noun style). It is a major feature of formal, written German. Using the noun die Nutzung (the use) makes the statement sound official and pairs perfectly with the elevated tone of andernfalls.
Learn Sie müssen die Software heute genau im Büro testen, andernfalls ist die Nutzung kostenpflichtig 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