In the process of learning German, we will certainly come across the pair of conjunctions sobald and solange. Although these two conjunctions are different, they are very easy to confuse for learners. In today's article, we will distinguish between these two conjunctions together.
In the process of learning German, we will certainly come across the pair of conjunctions sobald and solange. Although these two conjunctions are different from each other, they are very easy to confuse for learners. In today's article, we will distinguish between these two conjunctions together.
Let's get started!!!!
1. Conjunction SOBALD (as soon as)
- Used as a conjunction for time clauses. Sobald accompanies a subordinate clause.
Sobald ich nach Hause komme, gehe ich zur Bank.
(As soon as I get home, I go to the bank.)
- Similar to other subordinate clauses, the subordinate clause with sobald can swap positions with the main clause:
Sobald ich nach Hause komme, gehe ich zur Bank.
= Ich gehe zur Bank, sobald ich nach Hause komme.
→ Sobald is used to express that someone does something immediately after carrying out another event or action.
- We can use the main clause and the subordinate clause with sobald in two different tenses, because the action in the subordinate clause occurs before the action in the main clause.
Ich werde dir helfen, sobald du den Müll rausbringst.
(I will help you, as soon as you take out the trash.)
- Sobald can be replaced by: sofort wenn, gleich wenn
Sobald ich nach Hause komme, gehe ich zur Bank.
= Sofort wenn ich nach Hause komme, gehe ich zur Bank.
- When sobald is split into so bald, they are no longer a conjunction but a temporal adverb. In that case, so bald means "soon," expressing that something will happen in the near future.
Er kommt nicht so bald zurück, denn er muss lange fahren.
(He will not be coming back so soon, because he has a long journey ahead.)
2. Conjunction SOLANGE (as long as)
- Used as a conjunction for time clauses. Solange accompanies a subordinate clause.Solange es hell ist, dürfen die Kinder draußen spielen.
(As long as it is bright outside, the children may play outdoors.)
- Similar to other subordinate clauses, the subordinate clause with solange can swap positions with the main clause:
Solange es hell ist, dürfen die Kinder draußen spielen.
= Die Kinder dürfen draußen spielen, solange es hell ist.
→ Solange is used to connect two actions that occur simultaneously. One action takes place only as long as the other does. And when one action ends, the other ends as well.
- When solange is split into so lange, it is no longer a conjunction but becomes a temporal adverb. In that case, so lange expresses an action that takes a very long time to carry out:
Ich muss bei diesem Arzt so lange warten.
(I have to wait a very long time to see this doctor.)
3. WENN as a substitute for SOBALD and SOLANGE
- When using wenn to replace sobald or solange, the special meaning of these two conjunctions is no longer emphasized.
Sobald ich nach Hause komme, gehe ich zur Bank.
→ Wenn ich nach Hause komme, gehe ich zur Bank.
Solange es hell ist, dürfen die Kinder draußen spielen.
→ Wenn es hell ist, dürfen die Kinder draußen spielen.
Knowledge test
Distinguishing sobald and solange in German
- 1.
Ich rufe dich an, ......... ich zu Hause war.
- 2.
Ich werde putzen,............ ihr eure Hausaufgaben macht.