Description

ihm zufolge ?

**Title:** Unlocking the German Phrase “Ihm Zufolge”: Meaning, Usage, and Common Pitfalls

**Intro**
The German language is filled with nuanced expressions that can challenge even seasoned learners—but one phrase stands out for its subtleties and spelling traps: *ihm zufolge*. This blog post breaks down its meaning, grammatical structure, translation into English, and practical examples. Let’s dive in!

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### What Does “Ihm Zufolge” Mean in German?
**Ihm zufolge** translates to **“according to him”** or **“based on his claim/statement.”** It’s used when referring to someone’s perspective, opinion, or reported statement.
– **Example (from Linguee):**
> *”Ihm zufolge wird…” → “According to him, the self is perceived as…”

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### Grammar Breakdown: Postpositions and Structure
**Zufolge** is a **postposition**, which means it *follows* its object instead of preceding it (unlike prepositions like *nach* or *laut*). Here’s the structure:

`[Dative Pronoun/Noun] + zufolge`

– **Correct:** *Ihm zufolge, dem Bericht zufolge.*
– **Incorrect:** *Zufolge ihm →* This reverses the order and sounds ungrammatical.

**Synonyms in German** (via OpenThesaurus):
– *nach seiner Aussage, gemäß seiner Behauptung, wie er meint.*

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### Translation to English:
– **Ihm zufolge** becomes:
– **According to him**
– **As he claims/argues**
– **In his view**

**Example (Reverso.net):**
> *”Alle sprachlichen Zeichen sind ihm zufolge willkürlich”* → *”All linguistic signs are, according to him, arbitrary.”*

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### The Common Spelling Mistake: *Zurfolge* vs. *Zufolge*
A frequent error is conflating **zufolge** with **zur Folge**, which has a different meaning:

| Phrase | Meaning | Example |
|———-|————————–|——————————————–|
| **Zufolge** | “According to” | *Der Experten zufolge ist das möglich.* |
| **Zur Folge** | “As a consequence” | *Das Fehlverhalten brachte Probleme zur Folge.* |

The mistake often seen is writing **zurfolge** (incorrect), versus *zufolge* (correct postition) or *zur Folge* (correct noun form).

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### Usage in Context (Examples from Trusted Sources):
1. **Psychologiebeispiel (Linguee):**
> *”Ihm zufolge wird das Selbst dynamisch konstruiert.”*
→ “According to him, the self is dynamically constructed.”

2. **Technical Context:**
> *”Ihm zufolge ist X eine Eigenschaft von Y”* → “In his view, X is a property of Y.”

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### Practical Tips for Learners:
1. **Structure It Right:** Keep to *Dativ [zufolge]*: *Dem Bericht zufolge,…* (According to the report, …).).
2. **Avoid Mixingups with Prepositions:** Unlike *laut* (laut einer Studie), *zufolge* always comes **after** its noun/pronoun.
3. **Context is Key:** Use it when citing someone’s claim. For statements of cause/consequence, use *zur Folge* instead.

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### Synonyms in Englush:
Depending on context, you could also say:
– **”Based on his account”** (formal).
– **”As he claims”**
– **”In his opinion”**

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### Wrapping Up: The Little Word That Makes a Difference.
Mastering *zufolge* adds precision to your communication, both spoken and written. By understanding its grammar role and avoiding spelling issues like *zurfoge*, you’ll sound more fluent and accurate.

**Final Tip:** Practice with examples from Linguee or Duden, and double-check spelling using resources like Duden.de. Happy learning!

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**Need More?**
– **Duden.de** for grammar rules.
– **Linguee** for real-world usage (try searching *ihm zufolge*).

By embracing this phrase, you’re not just mastering vocabulary—you’re mastering precision. Letz’s hear it: *Nach diesem Tippen zufolge, werden Sie nun einen Schritt weiter kommen!* (According to this tip, you’ll progress one step further.).

Let me know if you want to dive deeper into German postpositions next time! 💡

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This blog post aims to equip learners with clarity on *Ihm zufolge*, its nuances, and pitfalls—transforming this tricky phrase into one of your language toolkit’s strongest tools. Happy blogging!