Kritisch anzumerken ist ferner, dass die Studie

This phrase uses a "verb-first" construction which sounds incredibly elegant in German. You start with the adjective kritisch, followed by the infinitive anzumerken. The word ferner is the academic sibling of außerdem (besides/furthermore). You follow the whole chunk with dass (that) and then the rest of your point. Because it’s a subordinate clause starting with dass, your verb must go to the very end. It's like building a complex machine where the most important part only clicks in at the final second. Use it when you’ve already made one point and want to add another, more critical one. It’s the "one more thing" of the intellectual world. Always remember the comma before dass!

This is top-tier formal German. You won’t find this in a WhatsApp group chat about which Netflix show to binge-watch. If you use this while texting your friends about their bad pizza choice, they might think you’ve been replaced by an AI or a 19th-century professor. It belongs in university papers, serious news articles like *Der Spiegel*, and professional scientific reviews. It’s the linguistic equivalent of a firm, dry handshake. It signals that you are operating at a C1 or C2 level. It shows you know the "secret codes" of the educated elite. Use it sparingly to maintain its power.

Picture a LinkedIn post where a consultant is dissecting a new market trend report. Or a "Letter to the Editor" in a major newspaper. You might hear it in a documentary about climate change when an expert is interviewed. "Die Daten sind gut, aber kritisch anzumerken ist ferner, dass die Studie nur im Sommer durchgeführt wurde." (The data is good, but it should also be critically noted that the study was only conducted in summer). It’s perfect for that moment in a Zoom meeting when everyone is nodding, and you need to bring some reality to the table. It turns a simple "complaint" into a professional "contribution."

Use it when you are writing an essay for a German university. It’s basically a cheat code for getting a better grade on your Hausarbeit. Use it in a job interview if you are discussing a case study or a previous project’s results. It shows you have an analytical mind that doesn't just accept things at face value. Use it when writing a formal review of a book or a film for a professional blog. It gives your opinion immediate gravitas. If you want to sound like you’ve spent your weekends reading Kant, this is your phrase. It’s for moments of serious intellectual debate.

Avoid this at the gym or the grocery store. "Critically noted, the apples are too small" will get you some very weird looks. Don't use it in casual social media comments unless you are being intentionally ironic or "extra." It’s way too heavy for a Tinder bio or a birthday card. If the situation involves more than zero beers, this phrase is probably too formal. It can make you sound arrogant or detached if the context isn't right. Stick to Aber... or Ich finde... when you're hanging out with friends at a café.

The biggest mistake is forgetting the comma before dass. German grammar is very strict about this. Another error is using außerdem instead of ferner if you want the full formal effect. Außerdem is okay, but ferner is the "black tie" version. Also, watch the word order at the end of the sentence! ✗ Kritisch anzumerken ist ferner, dass die Studie hat viele Fehler. → ✓ ...dass die Studie viele Fehler hat. If you put the verb in the wrong place, the academic magic disappears instantly. It's like wearing a tuxedo with flip-flops. It just doesn't work.

You can swap kritisch for other adverbs to change the tone. Besonders anzumerken ist... (It is particularly to be noted...). Or Ergänzend ist anzumerken... (In addition, it should be noted...). If you want to be slightly less "sharp," you can say Zu beachten ist ferner... (It should further be observed...). In more modern tech contexts or professional emails, you might see Wichtig ist zudem... which is a bit punchier but still very professional. Each variation shifts the focus slightly, from criticism to simple observation.

Is it too formal for an email? If it’s to your boss or a professor, it’s perfect. To a colleague you drink coffee with? Maybe too much. Does it always need the word dass? Usually, yes, because you are introducing a specific clause or fact. Can I use it to start a paragraph? Absolutely, it’s a great transition. It shows you are building a logical, multi-layered argument. Is ferner old-fashioned? It’s formal, not necessarily old-fashioned. It’s still standard in law, science, and high-level journalism. It makes you sound like an expert.