Connector 'sofern' (provided that)

sofern is a subordinating conjunction meaning provided that / as long as. It introduces a restrictive condition: the main statement only holds under exactly this limitation. It is more formal than wenn and adds a clear "but only if" flavour. The finite verb stands at the end of the sofern-clause.

• Wir kommen, sofern wir Zeit haben. - We'll come, provided that we have time.
• Sofern keine Einwände bestehen, gilt der Vorschlag als angenommen. - Provided there are no objections, the proposal is deemed accepted.
• Du darfst mitfahren, sofern du dich an die Regeln hältst. - You may come along, as long as you stick to the rules.

It overlaps with falls and wenn, but emphasises the limiting condition more strongly ("only to the extent that").

Common mistakes:

• Verb position: sofern du Zeit hast, not sofern du hast Zeit.
• Using sofern where simple wenn would be more natural in everyday speech - sofern belongs to careful, often written register.

'sofern' (provided that) marks a restrictive condition; the verb goes to the end.

A restrictive condition (provided that); the verb goes to the clause end.

'sofern' nennt eine einschränkende Bedingung; Verb am Satzende.