Breakdown of Die Benachrichtigung kommt, sobald der Termin bestätigt ist.
sein
to be
kommen
to come
sobald
as soon as
der Termin
the appointment
Questions & Answers about Die Benachrichtigung kommt, sobald der Termin bestätigt ist.
Why is German using the present tense in kommt to talk about something that will happen in the future?
German often uses the present tense for near‑future or scheduled events when the time is clear from context. Here, sobald (“as soon as”) makes the future reference obvious. You could also say wird kommen, but the simple present kommt is the most natural choice.
Why does the verb go to the end in sobald der Termin bestätigt ist?
Because sobald is a subordinating conjunction. In subordinate clauses, the conjugated verb goes to the end. Compare:
- Main clause (V2): Der Termin ist bestätigt.
- Sub clause (verb-final): … sobald der Termin bestätigt ist.
What exactly does sobald mean, and how is it different from wenn or als?
- sobald = “as soon as,” emphasizing immediate succession.
- wenn = “when/if.” It’s more general; it can mean “if” or “whenever.” It’s fine here but less precise than sobald.
- als = “when” for one-time events in the past only. Not suitable here.
Why is it ist bestätigt and not wird bestätigt?