Breakdown of Das Radar zeigt den Tornado. Gleichwohl nähert sich der Sturmjäger.
zeigen
to show
der Sturmjäger
the storm chaser
sich nähern
to approach
das Radar
the radar
gleichwohl
nevertheless (formal)
der Tornado
the tornado
Questions & Answers about Das Radar zeigt den Tornado. Gleichwohl nähert sich der Sturmjäger.
Why is the verb nähert placed immediately after gleichwohl?
Gleichwohl is an adverb meaning "nevertheless," not a coordinating conjunction like aber. Because it takes up the first position in the second sentence, the verb nähert must come right next to it to stay in the strict second position (the V2 rule).
Could I just use trotzdem instead of gleichwohl in this sentence?
Absolutely. Both words mean "nevertheless" and trigger the exact same word order. Gleichwohl is simply a more formal, elevated synonym that you will often encounter in literature, news, or academic writing.
Why is there a sich in the second sentence?
It belongs to the verb sich nähern (to approach). In German, this verb is always reflexive, so the sentence literally says the storm chaser "approaches himself."
Doesn't sich nähern usually require a dative object to show what is being approached?
Often yes, as in sich dem Tornado nähern. However, if the destination is completely obvious from the context, you can leave the object out. The first sentence already establishes exactly what the storm chaser is getting closer to.
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