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From Fruchtnektar und Haferdrink: Bundesregierung will geplante Zuckersteuer ausweiten, tagesschau.de, 25 August 2026. Quoted for study. The words are the publisher's; the analysis is ours.
Meaning
Accordingly, the tax is to apply not only to sugary drinks such as lemonades.
Word for word: Accordingly shall the tax not only with sugar-containing drinks such as lemonades due become.
Used in news or policy contexts: it reports that a planned sugar tax will not be limited to sugary drinks like sodas but presumably extended to other products.
A main clause with verb-second order: the adverb 'demnach' occupies the first position, so the finite modal verb 'soll' comes second and the lexical verb 'fällig werden' stands at the end as an infinitive, forming a modal-verb construction in the present tense. 'nicht nur' negates/restricts the prepositional phrase 'bei zuckerhaltigen Getränken', which takes dative after 'bei'.
Rules at work(5)
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Demnach soll
The fronted adverb 'Demnach' forces the finite verb into second position.
In a German main clause the finite verb is always the second element. The first element can be the subject, but it can just as easily be a time expression, an object or a whole subordinate clause; whatever it is, it counts as one element and the verb follows it. This is why putting something other than the subject first pushes the subject after the verb.
Does this rule belong on this sentence? -
soll ... fällig werden
The modal 'soll' combines with the infinitive 'werden' at the end of the clause.
The six modals können, müssen, dürfen, sollen, wollen and mögen say something about the main verb rather than naming an action. The modal is the finite verb in second position and the main verb goes to the end of the clause as an infinitive.
Does this rule belong on this sentence? -
bei zuckerhaltigen Getränken
'bei' governs the dative, seen in 'Getränken'.
An, auf, hinter, in, neben, über, unter, vor and zwischen take the accusative when the phrase answers where to, and the dative when it answers where. The distinction is movement across a boundary against position, not motion against stillness.
Does this rule belong on this sentence? -
zuckerhaltigen Getränken
The dative plural appears in the noun and the weak adjective ending '-en'.
The dative marks the indirect object, usually the person something is given, said or shown to. A number of common verbs take a dative object where English would use a direct one, and several prepositions always take it.
Does this rule belong on this sentence? -
zuckerhaltigen Getränken
After the determiner-less dative plural context the adjective takes the weak '-en' ending.
After a definite article the adjective ending is e in the five nominative and accusative singular slots and en everywhere else, because the article has already shown the case and gender.
Does this rule belong on this sentence?
Words(13)
- demnach
accordingly, therefore
adverbC1causal
Formal written connector referring back to something previously said.
- sollen
should, to be supposed to
verbA2sollen, sollte, gesolltmit habenmodal
In reporting, 'soll' signals that something is planned or claimed rather than fact.
- die
the
determinerA1definite
- die Steuer
tax
nounB1pl. Steuerngen. Steuerstrong declension
Not to be confused with das Steuer (steering wheel/control).
- nicht
not
adverbA1negation
Negates single words or phrases directly before them; sentence negation places it later.
- nur
only, just
particleA1
- bei
at, near, with
prepositionA2governs dative
'bei 42 Prozent' = 'at 42 percent', standard in poll reporting.
- zuckerhaltig
sugary, containing sugar, sugar-laden
adjectiveB2zuckerhaltiger, am zuckerhaltigsten
- das Getränk
drink, beverage
nounA2pl. Getränkegen. Getränksstrong declension
- wie
like, as, how
conjunctionA1subordinating
Here introducing an example, equivalent to 'such as'.
- die Limonade
lemonade, soft drink
nounB1pl. Limonadengen. Limonadeweak declension
In German usually means any sweet fizzy soft drink, not necessarily lemon-flavoured.
- fällig
due, payable
adjectiveB2
Mostly predicative; 'fällig werden' means to fall due or be levied.
- werden
become, will (future auxiliary)
verbA2werden, wurde, ist gewordenmit habenirregular
Also the passive auxiliary; do not confuse with bekommen (= receive).