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German questions

  Tags: German
 Language Learning Forum : Specific Languages Post Reply
10 messages over 2 pages: 1
fnord
Triglot
Groupie
Switzerland
Joined 5034 days ago

71 posts - 124 votes 
Speaks: German*, Swiss-German, English
Studies: Luxembourgish, Dutch

 
 Message 9 of 10
28 July 2012 at 10:14pm | IP Logged 
Ich komme nicht um vier Uhr.
Ich kann nicht um vier Uhr kommen.

Ich komme um vier Uhr nicht.
Ich kann um vier Uhr nicht kommen.

Um vier Uhr komme ich nicht.
Um vier Uhr kann ich nicht kommen.


Every of them is correct. If anything, the difference in emphasis is subtle - even native speakers might
(sometimes or casually) be unaware of it. Frankly, I wouldn't worry about it unless you're striving for advanced
fluency. But if I had to put my finger on it...

Ich komme nicht um vier Uhr.
Ich kann nicht um vier Uhr kommen.

I can't really make it a 4 o'clock but I will/might join you later


Ich komme um vier Uhr nicht.
Ich kann um vier Uhr nicht kommen.

If it's going to be 4 o'clock, I won't/can't come (at all)


Um vier Uhr komme ich nicht.
Um vier Uhr kann ich nicht kommen.

(I am very much indifferent on these two - it really depends on context)

Edited by fnord on 28 July 2012 at 10:15pm

2 persons have voted this message useful



kgoedert
Diglot
Newbie
Brazil
Joined 4563 days ago

20 posts - 25 votes
Speaks: Portuguese*, English
Studies: German, French

 
 Message 10 of 10
29 July 2012 at 2:38pm | IP Logged 
Well, thank you everyone for the answers. I understand from all this, that it is a subtle difference, the meaning you
want to give to a sentence.

Since I am only studying German for nearly a month (will be one month this week), I will try to keep all of this in
mind.

At least I can see I won't make a very stupid mistake if a put 'nicht' on one positon or the other.


1 person has voted this message useful



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