…
Breakdown of Die Straße ist nass, darum fahren wir langsam.
sein
to be
wir
we
fahren
to drive
nass
wet
darum
therefore
die Straße
the street
langsam
slow
Questions & Answers about Die Straße ist nass, darum fahren wir langsam.
Why does the sentence use darum and not words like deshalb or deswegen?
In German, darum, deshalb, and deswegen all mean “therefore” or “that's why,” and they are often interchangeable. Darum is sometimes perceived as slightly more colloquial, while deshalb or deswegen might sound a bit more formal. Still, all three are correct and commonly used in everyday language.
Is it correct to place darum at the beginning of the second clause, and why is the verb in the second position (fahren)?
Yes, it is correct. In German, if darum (or another linking word like deshalb) starts a main clause, the conjugated verb must remain in the second position. So we say darum fahren wir langsam rather than darum wir fahren langsam. This adheres to the fundamental German word-order rule: the finite verb comes second in an independent clause.
Why does the sentence have a comma before darum?
In German punctuation, a comma can be used before darum when it connects two clauses—one stating a reason and the other stating a consequence. While it’s not always mandatory to use a comma in this context, many style guides recommend it when there’s a clear separation of clauses.
Is langsam an adjective or an adverb in this sentence?
In German, the same form (langsam) can serve both as an adjective and an adverb. In this sentence, it describes the manner of driving (“drive slowly”), so here it functions as an adverb. German doesn’t use a separate adverb form as English often does (e.g., “slow” vs. “slowly”).
Could we say Die Straße ist nass, also fahren wir langsam instead?
Yes. You can use also instead of darum, and it would still mean “Therefore, we drive slowly.” The choice between darum, also, deshalb, or deswegen often comes down to personal preference and can be influenced by regional usage or the level of formality.
More from this lesson
AI Language TutorTry it ↗
“How do German cases work?”
German has four grammatical cases: nominative (subject), accusative (direct object), dative (indirect object), and genitive (possession). The case determines the form of articles and adjectives. For example, "the dog" is "der Hund" as a subject but "den Hund" as a direct object.
Sign up free — start using our AI language tutor
Start learning GermanMaster German — from Die Straße ist nass, darum fahren wir langsam to fluency
All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods.
- ✓ Infinitely deep — unlimited vocabulary and grammar
- ✓ Fast-paced — build complex sentences from the start
- ✓ Unforgettable — efficient spaced repetition system
- ✓ AI tutor to answer your grammar questions