Breakdown of Dieser Maßstab ist so streng, wie wir am Anfang dachten.
sein
to be
wir
we
dieser
this / that (fem.: diese, neut.: dieses)
denken
to think
so
so, such (intensifier)
streng
strict
wie
as (in comparisons)
am Anfang
at the beginning
der Maßstab
the benchmark
Questions & Answers about Dieser Maßstab ist so streng, wie wir am Anfang dachten.
Why is there a comma before wie, and why does the verb dachten go to the very end?
In German, so [adjective], wie forms a comparative subordinate clause when it contains its own conjugated verb. Because the wie part is a full subordinate clause, it must be separated from the main clause by a comma, and its conjugated verb, which is dachten here, is forced to the very end of the sentence.
Does Maßstab literally mean benchmark?
Literally, a Maßstab is a measuring stick or a scale, like you would find on a map. Figuratively, it translates perfectly to benchmark, standard, or yardstick. For example, if you want to say someone has high standards, you would say they have hohe Maßstäbe.
Why is the simple past dachten used here instead of the conversational past haben gedacht?
While spoken German generally prefers the perfect tense, certain common verbs like denken, wissen, haben, and sein are frequently used in the simple past, or Präteritum, even in everyday conversation. Saying wie wir am Anfang gedacht haben is also grammatically correct, but dachten sounds very natural and is less wordy.
Can I change the word order in the subordinate clause to wie wir dachten am Anfang, mirroring the English structure?
No, standard German requires the conjugated verb in a subordinate clause to be the very last word. You must keep the time phrase am Anfang before the verb dachten. Moving anything after the conjugated verb is grammatically incorrect, even if you might occasionally hear native speakers slip up and do it in rapid, casual speech.
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