Connector 'indem' (by V-ing, modal/instrumental)
Konnektor 'indem' (modal/instrumental)
'indem' introduces the means/method ('by V-ing'): 'Man lernt, indem man Fehler macht' = you learn by making mistakes.
Structure
Hauptsatz, indem + Subjekt … + Verb (Endstellung)
main clause, indem + subject … + verb (final position)
Details
- Part of Speech
- Conjunction
- Register
- Standard
Explanation
The subordinating indem expresses the means or method by which something is achieved - English "by + V-ing", German "dadurch, dass". It introduces a , so the goes to the end.
- Man lernt, indem man Fehler macht. - You learn by making mistakes.
- Er finanziert sein Studium, indem er kellnert. - He finances his studies by waiting tables.
Example: Sie verbesserte ihre Noten, indem sie regelmäßig lernte. - She improved her grades by studying regularly.
Example: Du verbesserst dein Deutsch, indem du täglich liest. - You improve your German by reading every day.
Note that indem answers "how / by what means?", not "when". It is written as one word.
Common mistake: Confusing indem (one word, means/method) with in dem (two words, a + relative , "in which"). Also, do not treat it as a time - for "while/when" you need während or wenn, not indem.
About Connector 'indem' (by V-ing, modal/instrumental)
'indem' introduces the means/method ('by V-ing'): 'Man lernt, indem man Fehler macht' = you learn by making mistakes.
The subordinating 'indem' expresses the means or method by which something is achieved. It corresponds to English 'by + V-ing' and to German 'dadurch, dass'. The stands at the end of the indem-clause.
'indem' leitet einen modalen ein und gibt das Mittel oder die Methode an (deutsch: 'dadurch, dass'; englisch 'by V-ing').
Caution
'indem' is one word and answers 'how/by what means', not 'when'; the verb goes to the end of the clause.