to commit
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to commit
To commit a negative, usually criminal or morally reprehensible act. The word is used almost exclusively in connection with crimes, attacks, or wrongdoing.
Die Täter haben einen Anschlag auf das Gebäude verübt.
The perpetrators committed an attack on the building.
'Verüben' (to commit) is an inseparable verb with the prefix 'ver-'. This prefix often indicates a negative or wrong action, which fits the meaning of the word. The prefix remains firmly connected to the verb 'üben' (to practice) in all sentence forms.
Man wirft ihm vor, die Tat verübt zu haben.
He is accused of having committed the act.
This verb is almost only combined with words for serious negative acts. Typical collocations are 'ein Verbrechen verüben' (to commit a crime), 'einen Mord verüben' (to commit a murder), 'einen Raubüberfall verüben' (to commit a robbery), or 'Selbstmord verüben' (to commit suicide).
Die Gruppe hatte geplant, einen Raubüberfall zu verüben.
The group had planned to commit a robbery.
'Verüben' (to commit) belongs to formal language and is used mainly in the news, by the police, or in legal texts. It is very rare in everyday speech.
Laut Polizeibericht wurde das Verbrechen in der Nacht verübt.
According to the police report, the crime was committed during the night.
to carry out
'durchführen' and 'verüben' can both describe that an action is done. But the difference is very important. 'durchführen' is neutral and fits planned, often factual things such as an inspection, a project, or an event. 'verüben' is used almost only for bad or criminal acts, for example an attack or a crime. The words can be confused because both describe an action that is carried out. But 'verüben' immediately makes the action negative. For normal tasks, 'durchführen' is correct.
Die Polizei sucht die Personen, die den Einbruch verübt haben.
The police are looking for the people who committed the burglary.
Im Labor haben die Techniker einen neuen Test durchgeführt.
In the lab, the technicians carried out a new test.