Die Kontrolle an der Grenze dauerte deshalb eine Stunde länger.

therefore

Breakdown of Die Kontrolle an der Grenze dauerte deshalb eine Stunde länger.

• an: at
• länger: longer
• dauern: to last

Questions & Answers about Die Kontrolle an der Grenze dauerte deshalb eine Stunde länger.

What does deshalb mean and how is it used in this sentence?

deshalb is a causal adverb meaning “therefore,” “so,” or “that’s why.” It links what comes before (some reason or context) to the effect stated here. In German main clauses it typically appears in the “Mittelfeld” (middle field), often right after the finite verb, which is why we see dauerte before deshalb.

Why is die Kontrolle in the nominative case?

die Kontrolle is the subject of the sentence (“the check/control”). Subjects in German take the nominative case. Here it tells us what performed the action of lasting (dauern). Because Kontrolle is feminine, we use die (nominative singular).

What case is an der Grenze, and why is it dative?

The preposition an can govern either dative or accusative. When it indicates location (“at the border”), it takes the dative. Grenze is feminine, so “at the border” becomes an der Grenze (dative singular).

What tense is dauerte, and how does it differ from other past tenses?

dauerte is the simple past (Präteritum) form of dauern. In written or formal German narrative, the Präteritum is common for verbs like dauern. Colloquially, one might hear the present perfect: hat länger gedauert.