B2-12 · Add nuance with modal adverbs
Careers
Use durchaus, immerhin, ohnehin and allerdings to weigh career choices and promotion prospects.
About 5 minutes to read · 12 quiz questions
01
A realistic next step
In this fictional career consultation, Mara weighs a promotion. Durchaus gives a positive assessment despite possible doubts. Immerhin points to something worth acknowledging, often after a limitation.
Eine Beförderung ist durchaus möglich.
A promotion is certainly possible.
Mara hat immerhin schon ein Vorstellungsgespräch.
Mara at least already has an interview.
Der Wechsel ist durchaus sinnvoll.
The change certainly makes sense.
Die Stelle ist befristet, bietet aber immerhin Führungserfahrung.
The position is temporary but at least offers leadership experience.
These adverbs express the speaker's assessment. Durchaus does not promise success, and immerhin need not mean that the situation is good overall.
02
Already decided, or subject to a reservation
Ohnehin means that something applies anyway, independently of the current argument. Allerdings adds a reservation or contrasting point. Read what each adverb contributes rather than treating all four as stronger versions of 'very'.
Mara will sich ohnehin beruflich verändern.
Mara wants to change careers anyway.
Die Weiterbildung beginnt ohnehin im Herbst.
The further training starts in autumn anyway.
Die Stelle passt gut, allerdings ist der Arbeitsweg lang.
The position is a good fit, but the commute is long.
Allerdings verlangt die Leitungsstelle mehr Erfahrung.
However, the management position requires more experience.
With allerdings at the start of a main clause, the finite verb follows immediately.
03
Keep the assessment in its place
The adverb itself does not change the normal verb position. After an adverb in first position, the verb comes before the subject. Inside the clause, it can sit before the phrase being assessed.
Immerhin hat Mara bereits Führungserfahrung.
At least Mara already has leadership experience.
Allerdings ist die Beförderung noch nicht sicher.
However, the promotion is not certain yet.
Ohnehin plant Mara einen Berufswechsel.
Mara is planning a career change anyway.
Mara hält den Aufstieg für durchaus realistisch.
Mara considers advancement quite realistic.
The exercises below keep the meaning fixed and test word order. A career change is der Berufswechsel; a promotion is die Beförderung.
Ready to try it?
Check what you remember with 12 short questions.
Loading quiz…