Expressing Purpose with "damit"
To say you are doing something so that someone else can achieve a goal or experience an outcome, use the subordinating conjunction damit (so that).
Unlike um ... zu, which is used when the subject of both actions is the same, damit connects two clauses that usually have different subjects. Because damit is a subordinating conjunction, it sends the conjugated verb to the very end of its clause. Always separate the main clause from the damit clause with a comma.
| I am writing down the list so that you have it. | Ich schreibe die Liste auf, damit du sie hast. |
| I am explaining the rule clearly so that you understand it. | Ich erkläre die Regel deutlich, damit ihr sie versteht. |
Delegating and Giving Instructions
Damit is frequently used when delegating tasks, giving instructions, or setting things up for others.
| We are preparing the meeting so that everything works. | Wir bereiten die Besprechung vor, damit alles funktioniert. |
| Turn on the heating so that the room gets warm! | Schaltet die Heizung ein, damit das Zimmer warm wird! |
If the damit clause includes a modal verb (like können), the conjugated modal verb gets pushed to the very end of the sentence, placing it right after the main infinitive verb.
| Show the document to the colleague so that he can check it. | Zeigen Sie dem Kollegen das Dokument, damit er es prüfen kann. |
| I am printing out the document so that you can pass it on. | Ich drucke das Dokument aus, damit du es weitergeben kannst. |
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