Reading · C1 · Text 4
Patent
Allerdings kostet das Patent auch etwas: Der Erfinder muss Geld an den Staat zahlen.
However, a patent also costs something: the inventor must pay money to the state.
Außerdem zahlt er jedes Jahr eine Gebühr, damit das Patent nicht aufhört zu bestehen.
In addition, he pays a fee every year to prevent the patent from lapsing.
Für eine schwierige Erfindung kann das recht teuer werden.
For a difficult invention, this can become quite expensive.
Vor allem gilt ein Patent nur in einem Land: Für weitere Länder muss man auch dort zahlen.
Above all, a patent is only valid in one country: for other countries, you also have to pay there.
4 words above C1
Grammar in this text
Purpose clause with 'damit' (subordinate clause with verb at the end)
damit das Patent nicht aufhört zu bestehen
'damit' introduces a subordinate clause expressing purpose. The conjugated verb is placed at the end of the clause; here 'aufhört' is final, followed by the infinitive 'zu bestehen'.
Verb 'aufhören' + 'zu' + infinitive
aufhört zu bestehen
The verb 'aufhören' (to stop) is used with a 'zu' infinitive to express that an action or state ceases. 'bestehen' appears with 'zu' after the conjugated form 'aufhört'.
Two-way preposition 'in' with dative for location
in einem Land
The preposition 'in' is a Wechselpräposition. With the dative case it indicates location (where something is valid). The article 'einem' clearly shows dative (masculine/neuter), as opposed to the accusative which would indicate direction.
Keep going
Text from Patent — Klexikon, used under CC BY-SA 4.0. See sources.
Translation, glossary and grammar notes are machine-generated and inherit the same licence.