Brottin

ROADMAP · B2 · Natural communication with native speakers on various topics

je … desto / umso, zumal, sofern

B2Comparative connectors
Je früher wir starten, desto ruhiger wird der Tag.

The earlier we start, the calmer the day becomes.

EXPLANATION

With je … desto/umso, German expresses a rising comparison: one thing increases, and another increases too. Je introduces the dependent clause; desto or umso introduces the main clause.

Je + comparative opens a subordinate clause. In that clause, the conjugated verb goes to the end. The second part starts the main clause with desto or the stylistic variant umso; after it, the verb comes right after the comparative phrase. You can also say umso mehr, als when the second part gives an especially strong reason.

STRUCTURE

je + comparative + Nebensatz, desto/umso + comparative + Hauptsatz (V2)

The first clause is dependent, so the finite verb goes to the end; the second clause is main-clause word order.

  • Je später der Termin ist, desto teurer wird die Beratung.The later the appointment is, the more expensive the consultation becomes.
  • Je schneller du antwortest, umso besser ist es.The faster you reply, the better it is.
  • Je kälter es draußen ist, desto wärmer ziehe ich mich an.The colder it is outside, the warmer I dress.
Hauptsatz + umso mehr/lieber/besser, als + Nebensatz

This pattern adds a strong reason; it is not the same as a simple comparison with desto.

  • Wir gehen früher, umso besser, als der Verkehr am Abend dicht ist.We leave earlier, all the better because traffic is heavy in the evening.
  • Ich akzeptiere den Preis, umso mehr, als das Gerät neu ist.I accept the price, all the more because the device is new.
  • Sie bleibt zu Hause, umso lieber, als sie krank ist.She stays at home, all the more willingly because she is ill.
Hauptsatz, zumal + Nebensatz

Zumal gives an extra reason. The clause after it behaves like a normal subordinate clause, so the verb goes to the end.

  • Wir gehen ins Museum, zumal es heute regnet.We are going to the museum, especially because it is raining today.
  • Er nimmt das Angebot an, zumal er keine andere Stelle hat.He accepts the offer, especially because he has no other job.
  • Ich komme mit, zumal ich die Stadt kenne.I am coming along, especially because I know the city.

OVERVIEW

Core patterns and meanings

PatternMeaningWord order
je + Komparativthe more ... the moresubordinate clause; finite verb at the end
desto/umso + Komparativthe more ... the moremain clause; the verb comes after the comparative phrase
umso mehr, alsall the more becausemain clause + subordinate clause
zumalespecially becausemain clause, with the verb at the end in the zumal-clause
sofernprovided that / ifsubordinate clause; finite verb at the end
soweitas far as / to the extent thatsubordinate clause; finite verb at the end

COMMON MISTAKES

  • Je mehr ich übe, desto ich spreche besser.

    Je mehr ich übe, desto besser spreche ich.

    Je starts the subordinate clause, so the verb übe comes at the end there. Desto starts the main clause, where the comparative phrase desto besser comes first and the finite verb spreche follows after that phrase.

  • Wir gehen nicht raus, zumal starker Regen.

    Wir gehen nicht raus, zumal es stark regnet.

    Zumal introduces a reason and needs a full clause. It is not followed by a noun or by a finite verb in second position.

  • Sofern Sie haben Fragen, rufen Sie mich an.

    Sofern Sie Fragen haben, rufen Sie mich an.

    Sofern means 'provided that / if' and opens a condition. The verb of the condition clause goes to the end.

  • Soweit ich weiß die Praxis ist heute geschlossen.

    Soweit ich weiß, ist die Praxis heute geschlossen.

    The clause Soweit ich weiß occupies the first (prefield) position. In the following main clause, the finite verb ist must still be in second position, before the subject die Praxis.

USAGE NOTES

  • Desto and umso are both used in the main clause. In everyday speech, desto is very common; umso often sounds a little more stylistic.
  • Do not confuse je here with je in expressions like mal je or other fixed uses; in this pattern it works as part of a comparison and requires a second clause.
  • Zumal can stand at the start of the clause or after a comma. It is stronger than weil and often gives an extra argument rather than a neutral reason.
  • Sofern is more formal than wenn. Use it in rules, conditions, instructions, and careful writing. Soweit usually means 'as far as' and is often used for knowledge or scope.

RELATED

Temporalsätze: als, wenn, während, bis, seitTemporal clausesB1Konzessive Sätze: obwohl und trotzdemAlthough and neverthelessB1Konditional- und Konzessivsätze: falls, es sei denn, auch wennConditional and concessive clausesB2Konnektoren für die ArgumentationArgument connectorsB2
Open in the Roadmap