How to show a consequence in German
There are several options for showing a consequence in German. After reading this article, you will know them and how their proper usage.
Giving a consequence in German will always demand a subordinate clause. One can only use a subordinate clause when there is a main clause. Normally one introduces it by using subordinating conjunctions (like the ones which we discuss in this article) which in German affect the structure of the sentence by changing the position of the verb. You already know this system from giving a reason in German.
Showing a consequence in German
Now, many students complain that they get lost in the word order structure of German subordinate clauses, but actually, there are not so many possibilities where the verb can move. I highly recommend you study them in clusters. This will make it easier for you to fall back on them when needed.
Remember a standard main clause sentence in German has the following structure: Subject + Verb + Object.
In this article, we will discuss two versions of a German subordinate clause which look like this:
Conjunction + Subject + Object … + Verb.
Conjunction + Verb + Subject + Object
Recommended study materials on the topic:
Worksheet: Comparison with adjectives (incl. answers)
B-Grammar: Practice German grammar (incl. answers)
German self-study book for A1-B1 (incl. answers)
1. Option of sentence order
The following conjunctions all send the verb to the end of the sentence when giving a consequence in German:
sodass
The German “sodass” is the equivalent of the English “so that”; when we use it, the verb goes to the end.
E.g.: Ich gehe arbeiten, sodass ich Geld verdiene.
damit
“Damit” can be used as a conjunction when you would like to make a sentence with “so that” or “in order that”. Also, this conjunction causes the verb to move to the end of the sentence.
E.g: Ich lerne Deutsch, damit ich mit Paul Deutsch sprechen kann.
um … zu
“Um … zu…” is very similar to “damit” but they have little differences, which are already discussed in the article when to use “um … zu” and “damit”.
One can translate “um … zu” with “in order to,” and its usage will also send the verb to the end of the sentence. Additionally, the verb stands in its infinitive form, and one needs to add the “zu” before the verb.
For example:
Ich gehe in die Universität, um heute Nachmittag eine Präsentation zu halten.
2. Option of sentence order
Instead of sending the verb to the end of the sentence, it is also possible that it simply switches the position with the subject, which will happen when you use the following conjunctions when giving a consequence in German:
deshalb, deswegen & daher
“Deshalb,” “deswegen” and “daher” literally mean “therefore,” “as a result,” or “that’s why,” and Germans use them most widely.
For example:
Ich bin krank, deshalb / deswegen / daher bleibe ich zu Hause.
folglich
Another way to express the same as “deshalb” and “deswegen” is to use “folglich”. However, Germans do not use this one so often when people talk but rather when they write. Of course, you can also use it while speaking, but you might get a little weird look for that.
For example:
Ich bin krank, folglich bleibe ich zu Hause.
Now, you know how to use the 6 ways of showing a consequence in German and their two-sentence orders.
Bis bald!
Steffie
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