fortfahren
to continue
To continue an action or speech that has already begun after an interruption.
EXAMPLE
Nach einer kurzen Pause fuhr der Professor mit seinem Vortrag fort.
After a short break, the professor continued with his lecture.
fortfahren
to continue / to drive away
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Meanings
fortfahren
to drive away
To move away from a place in a vehicle; to drive off.
EXAMPLE
Nachdem alle eingestiegen waren, fuhr der Bus fort.
After everyone had gotten on, the bus drove away.
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Fortfahren' (to continue / to drive away) is a separable verb. The prefix 'fort-' comes at the end in a main clause. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Fahren Sie bitte mit Ihrer Erzählung fort.
Please continue with your story.
Perfect tense with 'haben' or 'sein'
The auxiliary verb in the perfect tense depends on the meaning. For 'fortsetzen' (to continue an action), you use 'haben'. For 'wegfahren' (to drive away, change of location), you use 'sein'.
EXAMPLE
Er hat mit seiner Arbeit fortgefahren.
He continued with his work.
Context clue
In the meaning 'fortsetzen' (to continue), what is being continued is often stated. This is usually done with the preposition 'mit' (+ dative) or an infinitive clause with 'zu'.
EXAMPLE
Wir fahren mit der Diskussion nach der Pause fort.
We will continue with the discussion after the break.
Context clue
When 'fortfahren' means 'wegfahren' (to drive away), it always refers to a vehicle. In this case, it is often used without an object or a prepositional complement.
EXAMPLE
Der Zug wartete auf das Signal und fuhr dann fort.
The train waited for the signal and then drove away.
Compare with
fortfahren vs weitergehen
to continue / move on
Weitergehen and fortfahren can both mean resuming an interrupted speech or action. weitergehen puts more emphasis on the continuing process. Fortfahren sounds more formal and often names the person carrying out the action as well as the activity they are continuing with.
fortfahren
Nach der kurzen Pause fährt die Rednerin mit ihrem Vortrag fort.
After the short break, the speaker continued with her presentation.
weitergehen
Nach der kurzen Pause geht der Vortrag weiter.
After the short break, the presentation continued.
In real life
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