sofern

Provided That (Sofern)

Level 5

sofern is a formal way to say 'if' or 'provided that'. It sets a specific condition that must be met for the main action to happen. It is most common in legal, academic, and official writing.

How It Works

In German, sofern is used to express a restrictive condition. While it is often translated as 'if', it is more precise than wenn and more formal than falls.

Key Characteristics:

  • Register: It belongs to gehobene Sprache (elevated language) and is a staple of Legal German and Administrative German.
  • Word Order: Like all subjunctions, it triggers verb-final placement. If the sofern-clause comes first, the main clause starts with the verb (inversion).
  • Meaning: It implies 'on the condition that'. It is distinct from soweit (as far as), which defines the scope or extent of a statement (e.g., 'Soweit ich weiß'). While they can overlap when a condition is also a matter of scope, sofern is strictly conditional.
  • Negation: To express 'unless', German uses sofern nicht. However, in everyday standard German, es sei denn is the more common way to express 'unless', whereas sofern nicht remains highly formal.

Examples (4)

  1. Wir liefern die Ware, sofern die Zahlung eingegangen ist.

    We will deliver the goods, provided that the payment has been received.

    Word by Word: We deliver the goods, provided the payment received is.

    Note how the conjugated verb 'ist' moves to the end of the clause after 'sofern'.

  2. Sofern nichts anderes vereinbart wurde, gilt dieser Vertrag.

    Provided nothing else was agreed upon, this contract applies.

    Word by Word: Provided nothing other agreed was, applies this contract.

    A classic example of 'sofern' in a legal context. Because the subordinate clause comes first, the main clause starts with the verb 'gilt'.

  3. Die Veranstaltung findet statt, sofern es nicht regnet.

    The event will take place, provided it doesn't rain.

    Word by Word: The event finds place, provided it not rains.

    Using 'sofern nicht' is the formal way to express 'unless' or 'provided that... not'.

  4. Nachdrucke sind gestattet, sofern die Quelle angegeben wird.

    Reprints are permitted, provided that the source is indicated.

    Word by Word: Reprints are permitted, provided the source indicated is.

    This demonstrates a restrictive condition in a formal notice.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'sofern' for temporal 'when'.

    Sofern ich nach Hause komme, esse ich.
    Wenn ich nach Hause komme, esse ich.

    'Sofern' is strictly conditional. For a sequence of events in time (when I get home), you must use 'wenn'.

  • Incorrect word order (Verb-Second instead of Verb-Final).

    Ich helfe dir, sofern ich habe Zeit.
    Ich helfe dir, sofern ich Zeit habe.

    'Sofern' is a subjunction; the conjugated verb must go to the very end of the clause.

  • Using 'sofern' in casual conversation.

    Kommst du mit, sofern du Lust hast?
    Kommst du mit, wenn du Lust hast?

    While not grammatically wrong, 'sofern' sounds unnaturally stiff and robotic in a casual chat with friends.

How It Connects

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

sofernLevel 5Provided That (Sofern)

Learn This First

To understand 'sofern', a learner must be comfortable with German subordinate clause structure, specifically the verb-final word order. Since 'sofern' is a formal conditional marker, knowledge of basic 'wenn' conditionals and the general distinction between coordinating and subordinating conjunctions is necessary.

Words in This Pattern

sofern