Learn German: Wir lesen effektiv, indem wir wichtige Details markieren. - We read effectively by highlighting important details.

English often expresses a method using by plus an -ing verb. German does not have an exact -ing equivalent. Instead, it uses the conjunction indem (meaning by doing so or in that) to introduce a full clause with a subject (wir) and a conjugated verb (markieren).

Why is the verb markieren at the very end of the sentence?

The word indem is a subordinating conjunction. Just like the words weil or dass, it creates a dependent clause and forces the conjugated verb to the very end of its clause.

Why does wichtig get an -e ending in wichtige Details?

The noun Details is plural and acts as the direct object (accusative) of the clause. Because there is no article like die or keine in front of it, the adjective takes the strong plural ending -e.

Could I use the preposition durch instead of indem to say by highlighting?