Breakdown of Ein Besuch ist empfehlenswert, vorausgesetzt, das Wetter ist schön.
sein
to be
ein
a, an (eine)
schön
beautiful
das Wetter
the weather
der Besuch
the visit / the visitors
vorausgesetzt
provided (that)
empfehlenswert
recommendable
Questions & Answers about Ein Besuch ist empfehlenswert, vorausgesetzt, das Wetter ist schön.
How is empfehlenswert formed, and what does the -wert suffix do here?
It combines the stem of the verb empfehlen (to recommend) with the suffix -wert (worth). Suffixes like -wert attach to verbs to create an adjective describing something that deserves to receive that action. In this case, it gives a passive meaning: the visit is worth being recommended.
Why isn't the suffix -würdig used here instead, like in vertrauenswürdig?
Generally, -wert attaches directly to a verb stem (like empfehlen), while -würdig usually attaches to a noun (like Vertrauen to make vertrauenswürdig). While there are exceptions, empfehlenswert is the standard, fixed word for recommendable.
vorausgesetzt looks like a past participle. How is it being used here?
You are right, it is the past participle of the separable verb voraussetzen (to assume or require). Here, it functions as a conjunction meaning provided that or assuming that. It introduces the condition that must be met for the visit to be worth it.
Why is the verb ist in the second position of the final clause? Doesn't a conditional clause kick the verb to the end?
Because vorausgesetzt is used here without dass. When used alone, it allows the following clause to keep standard main-clause word order (verb in second position). If you added dass, the verb would go to the end: vorausgesetzt, dass das Wetter schön ist. Both mean the exact same thing.
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