Posted by Irreale Vergleiche otherwise known as unreal comparison in English is one where the state of a person is assumed or second guessed by another person. It is used as a way of trying to figure out the state of that person or object.
How is irreale Vergleiche done?
This is done using any of the modal subordinate conjunction als, als ob, als wenn and wie wenn together with the Konjunktiv II of the conjugated verb. Als ob, als wenn and wie wenn form a “Nebensatz” by placing the conjugated verb at the end of the sentence while als forms a “Hauptsatz” by placing the verb in the second position.
The conjugated verb could either be an auxiliary or a modal verb and can either be used alone or with the Partizip II and Infinitive of main verbs. Should a main verb be necessary for use, then würden is conjugated as its auxiliary. The translation of the auxiliaries and modal verbs in this sense in English is as that of the simple past form (Präteritum) to the third person subject (had, were, would, could etc)
Irreale Vergleiche with Als
Als can be used in different ways such as a subordinate conjunction, an adverb and a comparative factor for the measurement of dissimilar nouns. These various functions of als result to its various translation in English.
As a conjunction, it means when in connection with the past. As a factor for measurement, it means than while as an adverb, it means like and forms a main clause by leaving the verb at number two position.
| German | English |
|---|---|
| 1. Es erscheint, als hätte es heute geregnet. | It appears like it had rained today. |
| 2. Ihr sieht aus, als wärt ihr krank | You guys look like you were sick |
Irreale Vergleiche with Als Ob
The comparison with als ob which translates to as if/though, forms a „Nebensatz“ which displaces the conjugated verb to the end of the sentence as shown in the illustration below.
| German | English |
|---|---|
| 1. Es erscheint, als ob es heute geregnet hätte. | It appears as if it had rained today. |
| 2. Ihr sieht aus, als ob ihr krank wärt | You guys look as though you were sick |
Irreale Vergleiche with Als Wenn
Similarly, als wenn is used in making unreal comparison in a manner that displaces the conjugated verb to the end of the sentence (Nebensatz). It translates also to „as if“ and is less used than als ob.
| German | English |
|---|---|
| 1. Es sieht aus, als wenn es heute regnen würde. | It looks as if it would rain today. |
| 2. Das Essen schmeckt, als wenn es verdorben hätte. | The food tastes as if it had spoilt. |
Irreale Vergleiche with Wie Wenn
Wie wenn equally forms a dependent clause like als ob and als wenn and literally means „as if“ but hardly used. See examples below…
| German | English |
|---|---|
| 1. Überall sieht so nass aus, wie wenn es heute geregnet hätte. | everywhere looks so wet as if it had rained today. |
| 2. Hans sieht so müde aus, wie wenn er Nachtschicht gearbeitet hätte | Hans looks so tired as if he had worked night shift. |
Difference between als ob, als wenn and wie wenn
Sentences with als ob, als wenn and wie wenn are difficult to tell apart in their usage because they are rather synonymous to each other except for als ob which is distinguishable because it responds to questions with „wie“ (how). For example;
Q; „wie sieht der Chef aus?“
A; „Er sieht aus, als ob er krank wäre“.
A; „
Er sieht aus, als wenn er krank wäre“.A; „
deutschhaven.comEr sieht aus, wie wenn er krank wäre“.