fort
away
No longer present in a place; gone.
EXAMPLE
Als ich ankam, war er leider schon fort.
When I arrived, unfortunately he was already gone.
fort
away / forth
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Meanings
und so fort
and so on
A fixed expression indicating that a list or series could be continued; and so forth.
EXAMPLE
Wir brauchen Mehl, Zucker, Eier und so fort.
We need flour, sugar, eggs, and so on.
fort
continuously
Expresses a continuous, ongoing movement or action. Often used in combination with a verb.
EXAMPLE
In einem fort redete er auf mich ein, ohne eine Pause zu machen.
He talked at me continuously, without taking a break.
Usage tips
As a separable prefix
'Fort-' is a common separable prefix. It usually means 'weiter' (on/continue), as in 'fortsetzen' (to continue), or 'weg' (away), as in 'fortgehen' (to go away). Recognizing this prefix helps you understand many verbs.
EXAMPLE
Wir setzen die Reise morgen früh fort.
We will continue the journey tomorrow morning.
Use with 'sein'
In the meaning 'weg' (away), 'fort' is very often used with the verb 'sein' (to be). It then stands at the end of the sentence and describes a state.
EXAMPLE
Als wir zurückkamen, waren die Vögel fort.
When we came back, the birds were gone.
Fixed expressions
'Fort' is part of two important fixed expressions: 'und so fort' (usf.) means 'and so on.' 'In einem fort' means 'without interruption' or 'constantly.'
EXAMPLE
Im Supermarkt kaufe ich Obst, Gemüse, Brot und so fort.
At the supermarket I buy fruit, vegetables, bread, and so on.
Register
In the meaning 'weg' (away), 'fort' is frequently used in written language or in a somewhat elevated style. It can sound somewhat more formal or literary.
EXAMPLE
Der Sommer war nun endgültig fort.
The summer was now finally gone.
Compare with
fort vs davon
about it / away
Both davon and fort can express movement away. Davon usually establishes a reference to a place, object, or situation that someone is moving away from; fort mainly indicates that someone is no longer there. Use davon with a clear starting point and fort for simply going away.
fort
Als es spät wurde, lief der Junge schnell fort.
When it got late, the boy quickly left.
davon
Als der Hund auf ihn zulief, lief der Junge schnell davon.
When the dog ran toward him, the boy quickly ran away.
In real life
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