Breakdown of Die Frau holt das Taschentuch, anstatt dass sie uns grüßt.
die Frau
the woman
sie
she
uns
us
holen
to get / to fetch
anstatt dass
instead of (+ subordinate clause)
das Taschentuch
the tissue
grüßen
to greet
Questions & Answers about Die Frau holt das Taschentuch, anstatt dass sie uns grüßt.
Why does the verb grüßt come at the very end of the sentence?
Because anstatt dass (instead of) is a subordinating conjunction. Just like weil (because) or obwohl (although), it introduces a dependent clause and forces the conjugated verb (grüßt) to the very end.
Could I use an infinitive with zu here instead of dass?
Yes! Because the subject is the same in both halves of the sentence (Die Frau and sie both refer to the woman), you can use the shorter anstatt ... zu structure: Die Frau holt das Taschentuch, anstatt uns zu grüßen. Native speakers often prefer this shorter version.
Is there a difference between anstatt dass and statt dass?
No, they mean exactly the same thing. statt dass is just a slightly shorter version, and you will hear German speakers use both interchangeably.
Why use holt instead of nimmt (takes) here?
holen specifically means to fetch or to go get something. If the sentence used nimmt, it would just mean she takes the handkerchief (perhaps it was already right in front of her). holt implies she actively went to get it.
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