könnten, wenn überhaupt, ....

English translation: are only possible/can only occur, if at all

09:39 Oct 2, 2018
German to English translations [PRO]
General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters
German term or phrase: könnten, wenn überhaupt, ....
The following sentence is part of a installation guide for a virtual machine. "Angriffe von Hackern oder Schadsoftwareprogrammen auf die VM könnten, wenn überhaupt, so nur aus dem firmeninternen Netzwerk erfolgen." I'm not sure about the construction of that sentence, so it's more a structure-related question than a vocabulary problem. I've tried it as follows: "Attacks from hackers or malware programs could, if anything, only be made from the company's internal network." Or where should I place this "if anything"? Thank you for your help.
Carine35
Germany
Local time: 16:10
English translation:are only possible/can only occur, if at all
Explanation:
the placement is fine. I would however use 'if at all' and re-position 'only.'


Selected response from:

Ramey Rieger (X)
Germany
Local time: 16:10
Grading comment
Thank you for your help.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
3 +8are only possible/can only occur, if at all
Ramey Rieger (X)


Discussion entries: 1





  

Answers


15 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +8
are only possible/can only occur, if at all


Explanation:
the placement is fine. I would however use 'if at all' and re-position 'only.'




Example sentence(s):
  • Hacker or malware attacks are only possible/can only occur, if at all, via the company's internal network.
Ramey Rieger (X)
Germany
Local time: 16:10
Works in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 116
Grading comment
Thank you for your help.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Andreea Sepi, MCIL (X)
13 mins
  -> Ah, the small words...

agree  Jessica Glanz
19 mins
  -> ...somehow we know it's odd...

agree  Helene Lyons
26 mins
  -> ...but just can't put our finger on it!

agree  suew
40 mins
  -> Oh, lonely only!

agree  Michael Martin, MA
1 hr
  -> If anything, it's only only

agree  writeaway
1 hr
  -> Anything GOES!

agree  AllegroTrans
1 hr
  -> There's no business like woe business :-)

agree  Kalyani Gadre: Yes even I would change the placement of "only"
19 hrs
  -> You are not alone :-)!
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