TOPIC · Sentence structure & conjunctions

Modalsatz with indem and dadurch dass

After this lesson you can confidently form Modalsätze with „indem“ and „dadurch dass“, use the correct word order and distinguish them from clauses with „weil“.

In this lesson you learn how to form Modalsätze with the conjunctions „indem“ and „dadurch dass“ and when to use each of them.

Overview: What is a Modalsatz?

A Modalsatz describes how something happens – the means, manner or way of an action. It is a type of Adverbialsatz and in German it is often introduced by „indem“ or „dadurch dass“.

Both conjunctions connect a Hauptsatz (main clause) with a Nebensatz (subordinate clause):

The finite verb in the Nebensatz stands at the end.
The Nebensatz can stand before or after the main clause.

1Modalsatz with „indem“

„indem“ usually expresses means or method: with what / in what way is something achieved?

Word order

Option 1: Nebensatz with „indem …“ first, then main clause (verb in position 2)
Option 2: Main clause first, then the „indem“-clause

Structure	Example	Meaning
Subclause + main clause	Indem ich jeden Tag trainiere, bleibe ich fit.	By training every day, I stay fit.
Main clause + subclause	Maria spart Geld, indem sie die Rabatte nutzt.	Maria saves money by using discounts.
Main clause + subclause	Man lernt eine Sprache, indem man spricht.	One learns a language by speaking.

Typical questions answered by „indem“:

Wie erreichst du das? (How do you achieve that?)
Wodurch gelingt dir das? (By what means does it work?)

2Modalsatz with „dadurch dass“

„dadurch dass“ often shows a result or cause with a stronger focus on the result in the main clause. It connects two actions in a similar way to „indem“, but sounds more explicit and emphatic.

Structure	Example	Meaning
Main clause + subclause	Man kann Energie sparen, dadurch dass man Geräte abschaltet.	You can save energy by turning off devices.
Subclause + main clause	Dadurch dass wir früh aufstehen, haben wir mehr Zeit.	By getting up early, we have more time.
Main clause + subclause	Ich kann das Problem lösen, dadurch dass ich um Hilfe bitte.	I can solve the problem by asking for help.

Often you can use both „indem“ and „dadurch dass“. „dadurch dass“ is slightly more formal and highlights the logical link more strongly.

3„durch + Nomen“ as an alternative

Instead of a Nebensatz you can also use a prepositional phrase with „durch“ + noun. The meaning is still mainly modal.

Example	Meaning
Durch das Nutzen von Rabatten spart Maria Geld.	By using discounts, Maria saves money.
Durch das Abschalten der Geräte sparen wir Energie.	By turning off the devices, we save energy.

Typical pattern:

durch + article + noun: „durch das Lernen“, „durch regelmäßiges Training“

4Comparison and tips

„indem“: neutral, everyday, focus on method/means.
„dadurch dass“: stronger logical connection, focus on result/cause.
Both introduce Modalsätze (manner/means), not simple Kausalsätze like with „weil“.

Do not confuse:

„weil“ → typical reason: „Ich bleibe zu Hause, weil ich krank bin.“ (I stay at home because I am ill.)
„indem/dadurch dass“ → manner/means: „Ich bleibe gesund, indem ich viel schlafe.“ (I stay healthy by sleeping a lot.)

Practise by creating your own sentences and checking: if you answer the question „Wie / wodurch?“ (how / by what means?), a Modalsatz with „indem“ or „dadurch dass“ is appropriate.