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Second sentence of Soziale Gerechtigkeit: Wie gerecht ist die deutsche Klimapolitik?, tagesschau.de, 17 August 2026. Quoted for study. The words are the publisher's; the analysis is ours.
Meaning
But the costs do not affect everyone equally – those who earn little cannot afford an electric car or a heat pump.
Word for word: Yet the costs hit not all equally – who little earns, can himself e-car or heat-pump not afford.
A comment on climate policy costs: subsidies benefit everyone, but only wealthier people can actually afford electric cars or heat pumps.
Two coordinated main clauses joined by 'doch'. The second main clause opens with a free relative clause ('wer wenig verdient') functioning as the subject of 'kann', which therefore stands in second position. The modal 'kann' governs the infinitive 'leisten' at the end of the clause; the reflexive 'sich' and the objects 'E-Auto oder Wärmepumpe' are accusative.
Rules at work(6)
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kann sich E-Auto
The fronted wer-clause occupies first position, so the finite modal 'kann' must come second.
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? -
wer wenig verdient
The free relative clause 'wer wenig verdient' has its finite verb at the end.
In a subordinate clause the finite verb stands last. Where the clause also holds a participle or an infinitive, the finite verb goes after them, so the order at the end is participle then auxiliary.
Does this rule belong on this sentence? -
kann ... leisten
The modal 'kann' takes an infinitive complement placed 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.
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Doch
'Doch' links this sentence as a contrast to preceding text while keeping main-clause word order.
Und, aber, oder, denn and sondern join two main clauses and do not count as an element, so the word order after them is unchanged and the verb stays in second position.
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kann sich ... leisten
'Sich etwas leisten' requires the accusative reflexive pronoun 'sich'.
A reflexive verb takes a pronoun pointing back at the subject. The pronoun is usually accusative, but it turns dative as soon as the verb has another direct object, which is why it is ich wasche mich but ich wasche mir die Hände.
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nicht alle gleich ... nicht leisten
Both clauses are negated with 'nicht', placed before the element being negated.
Nicht negates a verb, an adjective or a whole clause. It stands at the end of the middle field, before a separable prefix, a participle, an infinitive or a predicate adjective, but after most objects and time expressions.
Does this rule belong on this sentence?
Words(16)
- doch
yet, but, however
conjunctionA2coordinating
As a sentence-initial connector it signals contrast with what was said before; it does not mean English 'doch' of affirmative answers.
- die
the
determinerA1definite
- die Kosten
costs, expenses
nounA2pl. Kostengen. Kostenmixed declension
- treffen
to hit, to meet
verbA2treffen, traf, getroffenmit habenstrong
Here 'to hit/strike' a place or people, not 'to meet'.
- nicht
not
adverbA1negation
Negates single words or phrases directly before them; sentence negation places it later.
- alle
all, everyone
pronounA1indefinite
Used substantively here, meaning 'all of them'.
- gleich
equally, the same, right away
adverbA2modal
Can mean 'equally' or, in other contexts, 'soon/right away'; here 'equally'.
- wer
who, whoever, those who
pronounA2interrogative
In 'wer ..., kann ...' it works as a free relative meaning 'anyone who...'.
- wenig
little, few
adverbA1degree
As a comparative it usually means 'less/fewer than'.
- verdienen
to earn
verbA2verdienen, verdiente, hat verdientmit habenweak
- können
can, be able to, may, might (as könnte)
verbA1können, konnte, hat gekonntmit habenmodal
könnte is the Konjunktiv II and softens a claim into a possibility.
- sich
himself/herself/themselves, itself
pronounA2reflexive
Always refers back to the subject; here it is fixed to the verb 'sich mehren'.
- das E-Auto
electric car
nounB1pl. E-Autosgen. E-Autosstrong declension
- oder
or
conjunctionA1coordinating
- die Wärmepumpe
heat pump
nounB2pl. Wärmepumpengen. Wärmepumpemixed declension
- leisten
to afford, to achieve, to perform
verbB1leisten, leistete, geleistetmit habenweakgoverns accusative
Almost always with 'sich': 'sich etwas leisten' = to afford something.