TOPIC · Sentence structure & conjunctions

Distinguishing wenn, falls, sofern in German conditional sentences

B1B2

After this lesson, you will be able to distinguish between "wenn", "falls", and "sofern" in conditional sentences in German.

When learning German, understanding how to create conditional sentences is important. In this lesson, we will discuss the three conjunctions used in these kinds of sentences: „wenn“, „falls“, and „sofern“. Each of these has different implications in terms of the likelihood of the condition being fulfilled.

Using „wenn“

The term „wenn“ is used when the condition is likely or certain to occur. It expresses a clear cause-and-effect relationship.

Examples

SentenceTranslation
„Wenn es morgen schneit, gehe ich Skifahren.“„If it snows tomorrow, I will go skiing.“
„Ich werde das Spiel sehen, wenn ich zu Hause bin.“„I will watch the game if I am at home.“

Using „falls“

„Falls“ suggests that the condition is uncertain or less probable. It indicates a possibility rather than a guarantee of occurrence.

Examples

SentenceTranslation
„Falls es schlechtes Wetter gibt, bleiben wir hier.“„If there is bad weather, we will stay here.“
„Ich werde dich anrufen, falls ich Zeit finde.“„I will call you if I find time.“

Using „sofern“

The word „sofern“ is typically used in more formal contexts and conveys that there is a specific requirement that must be met for the condition to be valid.

Examples

SentenceTranslation
„Sofern du einverstanden bist, machen wir das.“„If you agree, we will do that.“
„Sofern die Nachfrage steigt, werden wir produzieren.“„If demand increases, we will produce.“

Conclusion

Understanding the differences between „wenn“, „falls“, and „sofern“ allows for more precise and effective communication in German. By choosing the right word, you can convey the right level of certainty in your conditional statements.