When you want to express that you do something by means of a certain action in German, we can use the structure with indem and dadurch dass. However, we need to distinguish between indem and dadurch dass because each structure has a different usage.
When you want to express that you do something by means of a certain action in German, we can use the structures with indem and dadurch dass. However, we need to distinguish between indem and dadurch dass because each structure has a different usage. In today's article, we will explore this topic together.
Let's get started!!
- INDEM
- Used to express a goal and the means of achieving that goal. Indem is used with a subordinate clause (Nebensatz). The subordinate clause with indem can come before or after the main clause:
Maria spart Geld, indem sie Angebote nutzt.
(Maria saves money by using discount vouchers.)
Indem ich den Knopf drücke, schalte ich den Computer ein.
(By pressing the button, I turn on the computer.)
- DADURCH DASS
- Dadurch dass is used to connect the main clause with a subordinate clause. Dadurch can stand in the main clause to emphasize the topic, or it can stand in the subordinate clause together with dass. Example:
Man kann Benzin sparen, dadurch dass man langsam fährt.
= Dadurch dass man langsam fährt, kann man Benzin sparen.
Man kann dadurch Benzin sparen, dass man langsam fährt.
= Dadurch, dass man langsam fährt, kann man Benzin sparen.
(You can save fuel by driving slowly.
= By driving slowly, you can save fuel.)
!!! Note: The preposition durch can be used with a noun phrase as a replacement for indem and dadurch dass. Additionally, prepositions such as mittels, mithilfe, and mit can also be used. Example:
Indem ich den Knopf drücke, schalte ich den Computer ein.
= Durch Drücken des Knopfs schalte ich den Computer ein.
Knowledge test
Modalsatz with indem and dadurch dass
- 1.
Ich erreiche mein Ziel, ………………… ich viel arbeite.
- 2.
Mein Vater bewältigt es ……………………… er versucht, dieses Problem zu lösen.