Showing distance and caution
Distanz und Vorsicht ausdrücken
Words like angeblich, offenbar and vermutlich show how sure you are: Er war angeblich krank.
Core markers: spectrum of epistemic stance
| Marker | What it does | Author's attitude | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| angeblich | Passing on a claim | Doubt: others say so, but I can't confirm it | allegedly, supposedly, purportedly |
| vorgeblich | A pretext | Strong disbelief: a false excuse | ostensibly, pretextual, pretending to be |
| offenbar | A conclusion from signs | Visible signs: it is almost certainly true | evidently, apparently, manifestly |
| anscheinend | An impression | An impression: it seems so, probably | seemingly, apparently |
| vermutlich | A hypothesis | A conclusion from facts: most likely | presumably, in all likelihood |
| wohl | An assumption (particle) | A personal assumption: I think so | probably, arguably, presumably |
The main points
- angeblich = allegedly: someone claims it, but you don't vouch for it.
- offenbar = evidently: visible signs show that it is true.
- scheinbar = only seemingly. Don't mix it up with offenbar.
- vermutlich = presumably; gewissermaßen = so to speak.
- In position 1, the verb comes next, with no comma: Angeblich hat er …
Part 1 of 4
When you use it
- 1
Someone else's claim: angeblich
- Die neuen Sicherheitsrichtlinien dienen angeblich dem Schutz der Mitarbeiter, schränken aber vor allem deren Freiräume ein.The new safety rules are supposedly there to protect staff, but mainly they limit their freedom.
- In den sozialen Medien kursiert ein Video über einen angeblichen Einbruch im Ministerium.A video about an alleged break-in at the ministry is going round on social media.
angeblich means "allegedly". Someone else says it, but you don't vouch for it and may doubt it. News reports use it so rumours don't sound like facts.
- 2
Clear signs: offenbar
- Der Minister hat die Tragweite des Problems offenbar unterschätzt.The minister evidently underestimated how big the problem is.
- Bei dem Softwareabsturz handelt es sich offenbar um eine Fehlkonfiguration des Hauptservers.The software crash is evidently caused by a wrong setting on the main server.
offenbar means "evidently". You draw a conclusion from what you can see, and it is very likely true.
- 3
A likely guess: vermutlich
- Der drastische Rückgang der Bewerberzahlen ist vermutlich auf die unattraktiven Arbeitszeiten zurückzuführen.The sharp fall in applicants is presumably due to the unattractive working hours.
- Vermutlich liegt die wahre Ursache des Konflikts tiefer als bisher angenommen.The real cause of the conflict presumably lies deeper than people thought.
vermutlich means "presumably". It is surer than vielleicht, but not certain. The facts point one way, but there is no proof yet.
The forms
Core markers: spectrum of epistemic stance
The markers range from doubt to strong evidence. Some show how sure you are; others soften a comparison.
| Marker | What it does | Author's attitude | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| angeblich | Passing on a claim | Doubt: others say so, but I can't confirm it | allegedly, supposedly, purportedly |
| vorgeblich | A pretext | Strong disbelief: a false excuse | ostensibly, pretextual, pretending to be |
| offenbar | A conclusion from signs | Visible signs: it is almost certainly true | evidently, apparently, manifestly |
| anscheinend | An impression | An impression: it seems so, probably | seemingly, apparently |
| vermutlich | A hypothesis | A conclusion from facts: most likely | presumably, in all likelihood |
| wohl | An assumption (particle) | A personal assumption: I think so | probably, arguably, presumably |
Part 2 of 4
Step by step
- 1
How strong is your evidence?
A rumour from someone else: angeblich. Visible signs: offenbar. A likely conclusion from facts: vermutlich. A figure of speech: gewissermaßen.
- 2
Choose the position
In position 1, the marker sets the tone, and the verb comes next. In the middle of the sentence, it usually stands before the part it limits.
- Vermutlich werden die Preise weiter steigen.Prices will presumably keep rising.
- Die Preise werden vermutlich weiter steigen.Prices will presumably keep rising.
- 3
Use it before a noun
To pack the doubt into a noun phrase, use the marker as an adjective with an ending.
- Der Mann, der angeblich das Gemälde gestohlen hat → der angebliche Kunstdiebthe man who allegedly stole the painting → the alleged art thief
- Wegen des vermutlichen Defekts am Triebwerk musste das Flugzeug umkehren.Because of the presumed engine fault, the plane had to turn back.
Part 3 of 4
Common mistakes
✕
Angeblich, hat der Minister die Unwahrheit gesagt.✓ Angeblich hat der Minister die Unwahrheit gesagt.
No comma after angeblich in position 1. The verb hat comes next.
✕
Der Zeuge beschrieb den gewissermaßigen Vorgang.✓ Der Zeuge beschrieb den Vorgang gewissermaßen als Missverständnis.
gewissermaßen is only an adverb. It never stands before a noun.
✕
Er ist scheinbar ein Genie, denn er löst jede Aufgabe mühelos.✓ Er ist offenbar ein Genie, denn er löst jede Aufgabe mühelos.
He really solves everything, so offenbar. scheinbar would mean he only seems clever.
Exceptions
Tap one to open it.
offenbar: it looks true and almost certainly is. scheinbar: it only looks true, but it isn't. Mixing them up reverses your meaning.
- Das Problem ist offenbar gelöst.The problem is evidently solved: all tests run smoothly.
- Das Problem ist scheinbar gelöst.The problem only seems solved: a hidden bug is still there.
Before a verdict, the press does not call a suspect a criminal. Journalists write mutmaßlich (suspected) or angeblich instead.
- ✓ Die Festnahme des mutmaßlichen Erpressers erfolgte am Bahnhof.The suspected blackmailer was arrested at the station.
Unstressed in the middle of a sentence, wohl means "probably". Stressed, it means "certainly" or "indeed".
- Er hat das wohl vergessen.He probably forgot that.
- Das habe ich wohl gehört!I heard that full well! (stressed)
sollen already marks hearsay (V49). Adding angeblich says the same thing twice. In careful writing, use just one of them.
- Der Senator soll angeblich Bestechungsgelder angenommen haben.The senator is allegedly said to have taken bribes. (doubled)
- Der Senator soll Bestechungsgelder angenommen haben. / Der Senator hat angeblich Bestechungsgelder angenommen.The senator is said to have taken bribes. / The senator allegedly took bribes. (better)
Don't mix it up
offenbar, scheinbar, angeblich, tatsächlich, gewissermaßen
These words make very different claims about reality. offenbar and scheinbar are the pair learners mix up most.
| Expression | Core meaning | Reality check | Typical context |
|---|---|---|---|
| offenbar | "Evidently / clearly" | It looks true and almost certainly is. | Reports, conclusions |
| scheinbar | "Seemingly / deceptively" | It looks true, but in fact it is false. | Exposing myths and illusions |
| angeblich | "Supposedly / allegedly" | Not checked: someone claims it, and you doubt it. | Rumours, accusations |
| tatsächlich | "Actually / in fact" | Proven: it is a fact. | Confirming or correcting |
| gewissermaßen | "So to speak / as it were" | A comparison, not meant literally. | Essays, comment pieces |
- Der Verdächtige ist angeblich unschuldig.He says he is innocent, but people doubt it.
- Die Tür war scheinbar verschlossen.It looked locked, but when we pushed, it swung open.
- Der Mitarbeiter hat offenbar gekündigt.His desk is empty and his access is gone: he has evidently quit.
- Er ist gewissermaßen der Kopf der Organisation.He has no official title, but he is the brains of the group.
Part 4 of 4
In real life
Kommentare lesen
Reader comments under an editorial about tax avoidance by big corporations, in an online business magazine. · Tap EN for English.
Kommentare zu „Steuervermeidung: Wie multinationale Tech-Konzerne Milliarden verschieben“
- Mark_W (Wirtschaftsprüfer)
Konzerne rechtfertigen ihre komplexen Holding-Strukturen vorgeblich mit operativen Notwendigkeiten im internationalen Handel. In Wahrheit handelt es sich jedoch um reine Gewinnverlagerung.
- Mark_W (Wirtschaftsprüfer)
Die Europäische Kommission schaut diesem Treiben offenbar seit Jahren tatenlos zu, denn greifbare Reformen blieben bislang aus.
- Mark_W (Wirtschaftsprüfer)
Vermutlich fürchten viele Mitgliedstaaten den Verlust wertvoller Unternehmenszentralen, wenn sie im Alleingang strengere Gesetze erlassen.
- Dr_Klaus_B
Hier muss man differenzieren. Ein Sprecher der Finanzbehörden erklärte gestern, die jüngsten Medienberichte über ein angebliches geheimes Absprache-Papier seien frei erfunden.
- Dr_Klaus_B
Wie dem auch sei: Das gegenwärtige Steuerrecht ist gewissermaßen ein Relikt des 20. Jahrhunderts, das mit den Realitäten digitaler Geschäftsmodelle nicht mehr Schritt halten kann.
- Dr_Klaus_B
Wir erleben hier offenbar das systematische Versagen einer überforderten Bürokratie.
That's the whole topic.
- grammis – Leibniz-Institut für Deutsche Sprache (IDS)
- Duden – Das Wörterbuch der sprachlichen Zweifelsfälle (Band 9)
- Duden – Die Grammatik
- Helbig / Buscha – Deutsche Grammatik