als

As if (Als, Verb-Second)

Level 4

The pattern als + Verb + Subject is used for unreal comparisons ('as if'). Unlike the common als ob, this version places the verb immediately after als.

How It Works

In German, there are two ways to express 'as if'. The most common is als ob, which uses verb-final word order. However, in more formal or literary contexts, you can drop the ob. When you do this, the word order changes to Verb-Second (V2).

Key Rules:

  • Word Order: The finite verb must come immediately after als. The subject follows the verb. If using compound tenses, the participle or infinitive remains at the very end of the clause.
  • Mood: You must use the Konjunktiv II (or Konjunktiv I) to indicate that the comparison is counterfactual.
  • The 'So' Pointer: The main clause often includes the word so (e.g., Er tut so, als...) to act as a placeholder or pointer for the following comparison.
  • Trigger Verbs: This pattern usually follows verbs like tun (to act), aussehen (to look like), or scheinen (to seem).

Important Distinction:
This V2 shift only happens when als means 'as if' without a following conjunction. Other variations like als wenn or wie wenn also mean 'as if' but require verb-final word order. Furthermore, do not confuse this with als for comparisons ('than') or the temporal als for past events ('when'), where the verb remains at the end. Using als + V2 helps you become proficient in elegant, concise German writing.

Examples (4)

  1. Er tut so, als wäre nichts passiert.

    He acts as if nothing had happened.

    Word by Word: He does so, as were nothing happened.

    Here, 'wäre' (Konjunktiv II of sein) follows 'als' immediately, creating the V2 structure.

  2. Sie sieht aus, als hätte sie die ganze Nacht gearbeitet.

    She looks as if she had worked all night.

    Word by Word: She looks out, as had she the whole night worked.

    The verb 'hätte' is in the second position of the subordinate clause, right after 'als'.

  3. Es scheint, als wolle er uns etwas sagen.

    It seems as if he wants to tell us something.

    Word by Word: It seems, as want he us something to-say.

    This example uses 'wolle' (Konjunktiv I), which is common in formal or journalistic writing to indicate a hypothetical appearance.

  4. Der Hund rennt, als ginge es um sein Leben.

    The dog runs as if its life depended on it.

    Word by Word: The dog runs, as went it about its life.

    Using 'ginge' (Konjunktiv II of gehen) shows that the dog's life isn't actually at stake, but it looks that way.

Common Mistakes

  • Using verb-final order without 'ob'.

    Er tut so, als er reich wäre.
    Er tut so, als wäre er reich.

    If you don't use 'ob', the verb cannot stay at the end. It must move to the position immediately after 'als'.

  • Using the indicative mood instead of the subjunctive.

    Sie sieht aus, als ist sie krank.
    Sie sieht aus, als wäre sie krank.

    Because the comparison is 'unreal' (she might not actually be sick), you must use the Konjunktiv II to signal this hypothetical state.

  • Combining 'ob' with Verb-Second order.

    Er tut so, als ob wäre er müde.
    Er tut so, als ob er müde wäre.

    If you use 'ob', the clause follows standard subordinate clause rules with the verb at the very end.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

alsLevel 4As if (Als, Verb-Second)

Learn This First

To use 'als' as a synonym for 'as if', you must first understand the basic 'als ob' construction. Crucially, you need to learn Verb-Second (V2) word order, as this specific pattern drops 'ob' and moves the conjugated verb to the second position. Additionally, knowledge of Konjunktiv II is essential because these clauses describe hypothetical or unreal scenarios.

Words in This Pattern