Connector 'zumal' (causal, especially since)

What it is. zumal is a formal causal subordinating conjunction meaning especially since / all the more so as. It does not introduce just any reason: it adds an extra, reinforcing reason that strengthens what was already said.

How it works. As a subordinating conjunction it sends the finite verb to the end of its clause, and it usually follows the main clause:

• Wir gehen früh, zumal es schon spät ist. - We are leaving early, especially since it is already late.
• Der Vorschlag ist abzulehnen, zumal er erhebliche Kosten verursacht. - The proposal should be rejected, all the more so as it causes considerable costs.
• Sie war erschöpft, zumal sie tagelang kaum geschlafen hatte. - She was exhausted, especially since she had barely slept for days.

Common mistakes. Do not treat zumal like the V2 adverbs (folglich, somit): it is verb-final, like weil. Also, zumal is not a neutral weil-substitute - it signals that the reason is an additional clincher, so reserve it for that nuance.

'zumal' (especially since) gives an additional, reinforcing reason; verb-final.

Gives a reinforcing reason; the verb goes to the clause end.

'zumal' nennt einen zusätzlichen, verstärkenden Grund; Verb am Satzende.