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als ob

as if, as though

conjunction als OP Rare
Grammar & Structure Conjunctions

Usage Note

Als ob introduces a hypothetical comparison and requires Konjunktiv II: Er tat, als ob er schliefe. The short form als (without ob) places the verb immediately after: Er tat, als schliefe er. Both are correct standard German.

Examples

"Sie benahm sich, als ob nichts gewesen wäre."

Natural Translation

She behaved as if nothing had happened.

Literal Translation

She behaved as if nothing been were.

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