Breakdown of Wir haben ein neues Werkzeug. Du musst das Holz damit messen.
ein
a, an (eine)
du
you (informal singular)
haben
to have
wir
we
neu
new
müssen
to have to, must
das Holz
the wood
das Werkzeug
the tool
damit
with it
messen
to measure
Questions & Answers about Wir haben ein neues Werkzeug. Du musst das Holz damit messen.
Why do we use damit here instead of translating 'with it' word-for-word?
In German, when referring to inanimate objects (like a tool), you cannot say mit es. Instead, you combine da with the preposition. Since 'with' is mit, we get the compound word damit.
Could I use mit ihm instead of damit?
You would only use mit ihm if you were talking about a male or neuter person or animal. Because das Werkzeug is an inanimate thing, you must use the da- compound damit.
Why does neues have an -es ending in ein neues Werkzeug?
Werkzeug is a neuter noun (das Werkzeug) and acts as the direct object here. After the basic article ein, the adjective needs the -es ending to show that the noun is neuter.
Why is messen placed at the very end of the second sentence?
The second sentence uses the modal verb musst. In German, a modal verb takes the second position and pushes the main action verb (messen) to the very end of the sentence in its infinitive form.
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