Die Klinik verschiebt alle Termine, wenn die Anzahl der Ärzte nicht ausreicht.

The clinic postpones all appointments when the number of doctors is not sufficient.

Breakdown of Die Klinik verschiebt alle Termine, wenn die Anzahl der Ärzte nicht ausreicht.

• nicht: not
• wenn: when
• alle: all
• der Arzt: the doctor

Questions & Answers about Die Klinik verschiebt alle Termine, wenn die Anzahl der Ärzte nicht ausreicht.

Why is the verb verschiebt in second position and not at the end like in English?

In German main clauses the finite verb always occupies the second position (V2 rule).
– Here Die Klinik is position 1.
– verschiebt (the finite verb) is position 2.
– The rest of the clause follows.
This is different from English, where the verb usually comes immediately after the subject.

Why is alle Termine in the accusative plural and not “alle die Termine”?

Termine is the direct object of verschieben, so it takes the accusative case.
Since alle already marks “all” in the plural, you don’t need the definite article die again.
Saying “alle Termine” is the natural way to express “all appointments.”

Why does the verb ausreicht appear at the very end of the clause?

The clause starting with wenn is a subordinate (dependent) clause, and in German subordinate clauses the finite verb moves to the end (verb‐final rule).
So ausreicht comes last in wenn die Anzahl der Ärzte nicht ausreicht.

Could we use falls instead of wenn, and would the meaning change?