to enable
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to enable
To create the requirements or conditions so that something can happen or be done; to make something possible.
Moderne Technologie ermöglicht die Kommunikation über weite Entfernungen.
Modern technology enables communication over long distances.
The verb is derived from the adjective 'möglich' (possible). The inseparable prefix 'er-' and the ending '-en' turn it into a verb with the meaning 'etwas möglich machen' (to make something possible).
Sein Stipendium ermöglicht ihm ein Studium im Ausland.
His scholarship enables him to study abroad.
'ermöglichen' (to enable) is very often used with a dative object. The dative object is the person for whom something is made possible: Someone (nom.) enables someone (dat.) to do something / enables something (acc.).
Meine Eltern haben mir den Führerschein ermöglicht.
My parents made it possible for me to get my driver's license.
Instead of an accusative object, a subordinate clause with 'dass' or an infinitive construction with 'zu' can also follow. In that case, 'es' is often used as a placeholder.
Das neue System ermöglicht es uns, effizienter zu arbeiten.
The new system enables us to work more efficiently.
to support
Software supports a format when it is compatible with it and already offers the appropriate function. ermöglichen, on the other hand, emphasizes that a prerequisite is created which makes using something possible in the first place. Use unterstützen when compatibility already exists, and ermöglichen when a new possibility has been created.
Das neue Update ermöglicht nun auch den Export als PDF.
The new update now enables export as a PDF.
Das Programm unterstützt das PDF-Format bereits in der aktuellen Version.
The program already supports the PDF format in the current version.
