Breakdown of Eine falsche Zeile könnte unsere Abfahrt verzögern, aber die richtige Nummer steht klar daneben.
stehen
to stand
aber
but
unsere
our
können
could
richtig
correct
die Zeile
the line
falsch
wrong
die Abfahrt
the departure
verzögern
to delay
die Nummer
the number
klar
clearly
daneben
next to it
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Questions & Answers about Eine falsche Zeile könnte unsere Abfahrt verzögern, aber die richtige Nummer steht klar daneben.
Why is eine falsche Zeile in the nominative case?
Because it’s the subject of the first clause. In German, the subject that can perform or undergo the action (here “might delay”) takes the nominative case.
Why is the verb könnte used instead of kann?
Könnte is the Konjunktiv II (subjunctive) form of können, expressing a hypothetical or possible scenario (“could delay”) rather than a simple ability. Kann would state a fact (“can delay”).
Why is unsere Abfahrt in the accusative case?
Because verzögern is a transitive verb that takes a direct object, and the direct object is in the accusative. Here “our departure” is what might be delayed, so it’s unsere Abfahrt (accusative).
Is verzögern transitive or intransitive, and which case does it govern?
Verzögern is a transitive verb, so it requires a direct object in the accusative case. It means “to delay (something).”
Why is die richtige Nummer again in the nominative case in the second clause?
Because it’s the subject of the second clause. The intransitive verb stehen (“to stand” or “to be located/printed”) doesn’t take a direct object, so its subject remains in the nominative.
What does steht klar daneben literally mean, and how would you translate it idiomatically?
Literally it’s “stands clearly next to it,” referring to the correct number being printed right beside the line. Idiomatically you’d say “the correct number is clearly shown next to it.”
What kind of word is daneben, and why is there no article?
Daneben is an adverb meaning “next to it” or “beside it.” Adverbs don’t take articles, so it stands alone.
How do the adjective endings work in eine falsche Zeile and die richtige Nummer?
Both adjectives are in the feminine nominative singular. After an indefinite article (eine) or a definite article (die), adjectives take the weak ending -e in this case:
- eine falsche Zeile
- die richtige Nummer
What’s the difference between Zahl and Nummer in German?
Zahl refers to a numerical value (e.g. 1, 2, 3) as a mathematical concept. Nummer is an identifier or label (e.g. room number, line number). Here you use Nummer because you’re talking about the line’s label, not its mathematical value.