Breakdown of Die Effizienz von diesem Projekt ist so niedrig, wie wir gestern gesehen haben.
sein
to be
haben
to have
wir
we
sehen
to see
dieser
this / that (fem.: diese, neut.: dieses)
von
from, of / by (agent in passive clauses)
gestern
yesterday
das Projekt
the project
so
so, such (intensifier)
wie
as (in comparisons)
niedrig
low
die Effizienz
the efficiency
Questions & Answers about Die Effizienz von diesem Projekt ist so niedrig, wie wir gestern gesehen haben.
Why does the verb haben go to the very end of the sentence?
The first half of the comparison uses so niedrig (as low) in the main clause. The second half is introduced by wie. Because wie introduces a full subordinate clause here, it acts as a subordinating conjunction and forces the conjugated verb (haben) to the very end of that clause.
Why is there a comma before wie? We don't use a comma for 'as low as' in English.
In German, you must place a comma before wie if it introduces a full subordinate clause containing its own conjugated verb (like haben). If wie just connected a noun without a verb—such as so niedrig wie das andere Projekt (as low as the other project)—there would be no comma.
Could I use the genitive case here and say Die Effizienz dieses Projekts?
Yes, absolutely! Die Effizienz dieses Projekts is grammatically correct and sounds a bit more formal, making it great for written German. Using von + dative (von diesem Projekt) means exactly the same thing but is the standard way to express possession in everyday spoken German.
Why use the present perfect (gesehen haben) instead of the simple past (sahen) if the action happened gestern (yesterday)?
In spoken German, the present perfect is the default tense for almost all past actions, regardless of specific time markers like gestern. While wie wir gestern sahen (simple past) is perfectly correct and common in writing, gesehen haben sounds much more natural in an everyday conversation.
Learn Die Effizienz von diesem Projekt ist so niedrig, wie wir gestern gesehen haben 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