Ermöglichte

Ermöglichte is the simple past tense form (Präteritum) of the German verb ermöglichen, meaning to enable or to make possible. It describes an action in the past that made something else possible.

Usage: As a transitive verb, ermöglichen requires a direct object that names what is made possible and often includes a dative indicating the beneficiary. For example: Die Maßnahme ermöglichte ihm den Zugang. (The measure enabled him to gain access.) The verb can be used in various contexts, from policy changes to technical developments.

Grammar and forms: The infinitive is ermöglichen. Present tense forms include ich ermögliche, du ermöglichst, er/sie/es ermöglicht, wir ermöglichen, ihr ermöglicht, sie ermöglichen. The Präteritum form for singular subjects is ermöglichte, and the plural form is ermöglichte(n). The past participle is ermöglicht, used with haben to form the Perfekt (hat ermöglicht). Passive constructions are formed with wird ermöglicht.

Etymology and related terms: Ermöglichen is a combination of er- (a prefix often signaling a result or completion) and möglich (possible). A related noun is Ermöglichung, meaning the act or process of enabling or making something possible.

See also: Ermöglichung.

Examples: In addition to the previous sentence, one might say: Die neue Software ermöglichte den Mitarbeitenden eine schnellere Zusammenarbeit. Such usage reflects the sense of creating the conditions that allow a result to occur.