Breakdown of Sie wagt den Schritt, weswegen sie die Beförderung nicht akzeptiert.
sie
she
nicht
not
der
who, which, that (relative pronoun; die, das)
akzeptieren
to accept
der Schritt
the step (walking, pace)
wagen
to dare
weswegen
which is why
die Beförderung
the promotion
Questions & Answers about Sie wagt den Schritt, weswegen sie die Beförderung nicht akzeptiert.
What is the difference between weswegen and deswegen in this sentence?
Both express a consequence, but they affect the sentence structure differently. weswegen is a relative connector that refers back to the whole first clause and pushes the conjugated verb akzeptiert to the end. If you used deswegen, it would start a new main clause, meaning the verb would come directly after it: ..., deswegen akzeptiert sie die Beförderung nicht.
Could I use weshalb instead of weswegen here?
Yes, absolutely. When referring back to an entire preceding clause to mean 'which is why', weshalb and weswegen are completely interchangeable. Both are relative connectors that send the verb to the end of the subordinate clause.
Is den Schritt wagen a common idiom?
Yes! While it translates literally as 'to dare the step', it is widely used in German just like the English phrases 'to take the plunge' or 'to make a bold move'. It implies taking a significant, often risky, new direction.
Why is nicht placed right before akzeptiert?
Because it is negating the verb. When you negate an action in German, nicht normally goes to the end of the clause. Since the relative connector weswegen already forces the conjugated verb akzeptiert to the very end, nicht lands immediately in front of it.
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