Anhand dieser Statistik lässt sich erkennen, dass

Using this phrase is like assembling a high-quality Swiss watch—it requires precision. First, let’s look at Anhand. This is a preposition that demands the Genitive case. Since Statistik is feminine, you get dieser Statistik. If you were looking at a diagram (neuter), it would be anhand dieses Diagramms. After you’ve set the scene with the data source, you hit them with lässt sich erkennen. This is a 'passive substitute' construction. It literally means 'lets itself be recognized.' It sounds much more professional than saying man kann sehen (one can see). Finally, you have the word dass. This is your 'verb kicker.' It opens a subordinate clause, which means the conjugated verb must run all the way to the very end of the sentence. For example: Anhand dieser Statistik lässt sich erkennen, dass die Preise steigen. See how steigen (to rise) moved to the end? It's like waiting for the punchline of a joke—you have to be patient.

This phrase is a solid 9/10 on the formality scale. It is the 'tuxedo' of German phrases. You will hear it in the news (like the *Tagesschau*), read it in *Der Spiegel*, and definitely use it if you are taking the Goethe B2 or C1 exam. It belongs in professional emails, university lectures, and business meetings. In a casual setting, it sounds a bit stiff. If you’re at a bar with friends discussing why the local football team lost, saying Anhand dieser Statistik lässt sich erkennen... might get you a few eye-rolls. In those cases, just use Man sieht an den Zahlen, dass... (You see by the numbers that...). But when you want to sound like an expert who has done their homework, this is your go-to weapon. It signals to your listener that you are speaking 'Bildungssprache' (educated language).

You’ll encounter this most often in the wild during German news segments. When a reporter is standing in front of a giant digital screen showing the rise of electric car sales, they will likely start with this phrase. You’ll also see it in corporate reports. Imagine a PDF from a German bank; the text will be littered with Anhand dieser.... Another great place to find it is in 'Zusammenfassungen' (summaries) of studies. If you are a student in Germany, your professors will expect to see this in your term papers. It’s also very common in the 'Grafikbeschreibung' (graph description) part of language exams. If you can use this correctly during your B2 speaking test, the examiner will probably give you a mental high-five. It shows you’ve moved past basic 'survival German' and into 'professional German.'

Use this phrase when you want to be persuasive without being aggressive. It’s perfect for a job interview on Zoom when you’re explaining your past successes. 'Anhand dieser Statistik lässt sich erkennen, dass ich den Umsatz um 20% gesteigert habe.' (Based on this statistic, it can be recognized that I increased revenue by 20%.) It’s also great for academic debates or when you’re writing a blog post about trends. It’s the ultimate tool for 'Sachlichkeit' (objectivity), which is a value highly prized in German culture. Use it when the evidence is clear and you want to let the data do the talking. It’s also a lifesaver when you need a few extra seconds to think about your main point—the long introductory phrase gives your brain a moment to catch up!

Avoid this phrase in short, punchy communications like WhatsApp messages or TikTok comments unless you’re being intentionally ironic. Don’t use it for personal feelings. You wouldn't say, 'Anhand dieser Statistik lässt sich erkennen, dass ich dich liebe.' (That would be a very weird way to confess your feelings, unless you have a chart of your heart rate!). Also, avoid it if the 'statistic' you’re referring to is just a vague guess. This phrase carries the weight of authority, so if you use it with weak data, you’ll sound like a politician trying to dodge a question. Finally, don't use it if you aren't 100% sure about your Genitive endings. A messy ending on such a formal phrase is like wearing a dirty tie with a clean suit—it ruins the whole look.

The most frequent error is getting the case wrong. Many learners use the Dative because they are used to mit or bei.

While Anhand von is sometimes used in spoken German, it’s much better to stick to the pure Genitive in professional contexts. Another classic mistake is the word order after dass.

Remember, the verb is the 'tail' of the dass-clause. Also, don't forget the sich.

Without the sich, the sentence doesn't make sense; it's like saying 'The door lets open' instead of 'The door lets itself be opened.'

If you find this phrase a bit too long, there are several variations you can use. For something slightly less formal but still professional, try Aus dieser Statistik geht hervor, dass... (From this statistic, it emerges that...). It has a very similar vibe. If you want to be more direct, use Diese Statistik zeigt deutlich, dass... (This statistic clearly shows that...). If you're looking at a chart instead of a general statistic, swap out the word: Anhand dieses Diagramms... or Anhand dieser Grafik.... For a more modern, data-science feel, you might hear Die Daten belegen, dass... (The data proves that...). Each of these shifts the focus slightly, but Anhand dieser Statistik lässt sich erkennen remains the most classic way to present an interpretation.

Is it too formal for an email? Not if it's a business report. Is 'Anhand' always Genitive? Yes, in standard high German. Can I use it in the past tense? Yes: Anhand dieser Statistik ließ sich erkennen..., though the present tense is more common when looking at current data. Does it work with plural? Absolutely: Anhand dieser Statistiken... (just change the ending of dieser). What if I don't have a statistic? You can use Anhand dieser Beispiele (Based on these examples). It’s a versatile structure once you master the Genitive and the dass-clause. Just remember: with great grammar comes great responsibility!