to make more difficult
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to make difficult
To make something more difficult, more complicated, or more laborious.
Der dichte Nebel erschwerte die Suche nach dem vermissten Wanderer erheblich.
The dense fog made the search for the missing hiker considerably more difficult.
The verb is formed from the adjective 'schwer' (difficult) and the prefix 'er-'. The prefix 'er-' here means 'to make something (difficult)'. The verb is inseparable.
Der starke Wind erschwerte den Aufstieg auf den Berg.
The strong wind made the climb up the mountain more difficult.
The structure is often: [cause] erschwert [activity]. You can also add a person in the dative to say for whom it becomes more difficult: [cause] erschwert [person in the dative] [activity].
Der Regen erschwerte das Fußballspiel.
The rain made the soccer game more difficult.
'Erschweren' (to make more difficult) is often used with abstract nouns that describe an activity or a state. Typical objects are 'die Arbeit' (the work), 'die Situation' (the situation), 'die Bedingungen' (the conditions), or 'die Entscheidung' (the decision).
Die neuen Regeln erschweren die Zusammenarbeit zwischen den Abteilungen.
The new rules make cooperation between the departments more difficult.
to prevent
'verhindern' and 'erschweren' can both fit when something does not go smoothly. But the difference is important: 'verhindern' means that something does not happen at all, or that someone cannot do something. 'erschweren' only means that something becomes more difficult, but is still possible. Learners often confuse the words because both appear in contexts involving problems and obstacles. As a simple guide: if the result is stopped, you say 'verhindern'. If the path only becomes more difficult, you say 'erschweren'.
Fehlende Unterlagen erschweren Noah die Bewerbung.
Missing documents make Noah's application more difficult.
Die Polizei verhindert, dass die Straße am Abend ganz blockiert wird.
The police prevent the street from being completely blocked in the evening.