The idea
Das Schreiben (letter) has the same form in the plural: die Schreiben. Adjectives without an article take strong endings: unterschiedliche Termine. Ausstellen (to issue) gives das Ausstellungsdatum. Trotzdem means even so. Etwas bestätigen lassen means to get something confirmed. Zuordnen means to link items to the right file.
Other ways to say it
“Welcher der beiden Termine gilt denn jetzt?” – Direct question; denn adds a natural, curious tone.
“Ich habe zwei Briefe mit verschiedenen Terminen erhalten.” – Neutral opener for an email or call.
Examples
- Die beiden Schreiben nennen unterschiedliche Termine.The two letters give different dates.
- Welches Schreiben wurde zuletzt ausgestellt?Which letter was issued most recently?
- Das zweite trägt das spätere Ausstellungsdatum.The second bears the later issue date.
- Trotzdem sollten wir die Änderung bestätigen lassen.We should still have the change confirmed.
- Ich kann beide Aktenzeichen angeben.I can provide both reference numbers.
- Dann kann die Stelle die Schreiben zuordnen.Then the office can match the letters.
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Watch out
“Die beiden Schreiben nennen unterschiedlichen Termine.” → “Die beiden Schreiben nennen unterschiedliche Termine.”: Without an article before it, an adjective takes the strong ending that shows case: -e in the accusative plural. The -en ending is used only after an article such as die.
Try it yourself
Translate into German: The two letters give different dates.
Show answer or example answer
Die beiden Schreiben nennen unterschiedliche Termine.
Die beiden Schreiben is the plural subject. Nennen is the verb, and unterschiedliche Termine the accusative object with a strong adjective ending.
Put the words in order: Ausstellungsdatum / das / Das / spätere / trägt / zweite
Show answer or example answer
Das zweite trägt das spätere Ausstellungsdatum.
Das zweite stands for the second letter. Trägt means bears, and das spätere Ausstellungsdatum uses a comparative adjective.
Write this sentence in German: Then the office can match the letters.
Show answer or example answer
Dann kann die Stelle die Schreiben zuordnen.
Dann starts the sentence, so kann comes second. Die Stelle is the subject, die Schreiben the plural object, and zuordnen ends it.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
Translate into German: The two letters give different dates.
Die beiden Schreiben nennen unterschiedliche Termine.
Put the words in order: Ausstellungsdatum / das / Das / spätere / trägt / zweite
Das zweite trägt das spätere Ausstellungsdatum.
Write this sentence in German: Then the office can match the letters.
Dann kann die Stelle die Schreiben zuordnen.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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You received two letters with different dates for the same appointment. Write an email naming both dates and reference numbers and ask which is valid.