Breakdown of Wir müssen das Dokument unbedingt speichern.
Questions & Answers about Wir müssen das Dokument unbedingt speichern.
In German main clauses with a modal verb, the finite (conjugated) verb occupies the second position, and the infinitive appears at the very end. This creates a “verb bracket.” Here:
1) Wir (subject)
2) müssen (finite verb)
…
n) speichern (infinitive).
Unbedingt is an adverb meaning “absolutely,” “definitely,” or “without fail.” It strengthens the obligation:
• Wir müssen das Dokument speichern. (We have to save the document.)
• Wir müssen das Dokument unbedingt speichern. (We absolutely must save the document.)
Yes, but the nuance changes slightly:
- unbedingt = absolutely/without exception
- dringend = urgently, with time pressure
So Wir müssen das Dokument dringend speichern suggests “It’s urgent to save it,” whereas unbedingt stresses “it’s essential.”
• müssen expresses an internal or external necessity: “I/we must.”
• sollen expresses a recommendation or an instruction from someone else: “I/we should” or “I/we am/are supposed to.”
So Wir müssen das Dokument speichern = “We have to save the document,” whereas Wir sollen das Dokument speichern = “We are supposed to save the document.”
Yes. German word order is somewhat flexible for adverbs, but emphasis shifts:
• Wir müssen das Dokument unbedingt speichern. (neutral placement)
• Unbedingt müssen wir das Dokument speichern. (emphasizes “absolutely” as the main point)
• Wir müssen unbedingt das Dokument speichern. (emphasizes the object, as in “we absolutely must save that particular document”)
Invert the finite verb and the subject:
Müssen wir das Dokument speichern?
Use nicht to negate the infinitive:
Wir müssen das Dokument nicht speichern.