Breakdown of Sofern das Mikroskop funktioniert, können wir das Detail erkennen.
wir
we
funktionieren
to work (function)
können
can / to be able to
erkennen
to recognize / to realize
das Detail
the detail
sofern
provided that
das Mikroskop
the microscope
Questions & Answers about Sofern das Mikroskop funktioniert, können wir das Detail erkennen.
What kind of word is sofern and how does it affect the sentence structure?
Sofern is a subordinating conjunction meaning 'provided that' or 'as long as'. Like other subordinating conjunctions (such as dass or weil), it pushes the conjugated verb funktioniert to the very end of its clause.
Could I just use wenn instead of sofern here?
Yes, you could say Wenn das Mikroskop funktioniert... (If the microscope works...). However, sofern is slightly more formal and specific. It emphasizes a strict condition, much like 'provided that' compared to a simple 'if' in English.
Why does the second half of the sentence start with the verb können instead of the subject wir?
This is the classic verb-second (V2) rule in action. The entire first clause (Sofern das Mikroskop funktioniert) acts as the first block of information. To keep the verb in the second position of the overall sentence, the main clause must start with können.
Why use erkennen here rather than just kennen?
While kennen means to know or be familiar with a person or thing, erkennen means to recognize, detect, or visually make out something. Since you are using a microscope to see a tiny feature, erkennen is exactly the right verb.
How could I rewrite this to use one of the 'hier-' words from this lesson, like 'hiermit'?
If you split this into two sentences to say 'The microscope works. We can recognize the detail WITH THIS.', you would use the proximate pronominal adverb hiermit. It would look like this: Das Mikroskop funktioniert. Wir können das Detail hiermit erkennen.
Learn Sofern das Mikroskop funktioniert, können wir das Detail erkennen 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