Breakdown of Nach dem Sport atme ich tief ein, damit mein Herz sich erholt.
ich
I
nach
after
mein
my
damit
so that
der Sport
the sport
einatmen
to breathe in
tief
deeply
das Herz
the heart
sich erholen
to recover
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Questions & Answers about Nach dem Sport atme ich tief ein, damit mein Herz sich erholt.
Why does the finite verb atme come before the subject ich in Nach dem Sport atme ich tief ein?
In German main clauses the finite verb must occupy the second position (the “V2 rule”). When you place a time expression like Nach dem Sport in the first slot, the verb (atme) moves into slot two and the subject (ich) follows in slot three.
Why is the prefix ein separated from atme and placed at the end of the clause?
Einatmen is a separable-prefix verb. In main clauses German detaches the prefix (ein) from its verb stem (atmen) and moves it to the very end of the clause.
Why does the adverb tief appear between ich and ein, instead of directly after atme or at the very end?
Adverbs of manner (like tief) normally sit in the “middle field” of a German sentence—after the subject and before any separable prefix or infinitive that has been pushed to the clause-final position.
Why is there a comma before damit?
Damit introduces a subordinate (purpose) clause. German grammar requires a comma to separate a main clause from any subordinate clause.
Why does the verb erholt come at the end in damit mein Herz sich erholt?
In subordinate clauses (those introduced by conjunctions such as damit), the finite verb must move to the very end of the clause.
Why is the reflexive pronoun sich necessary in damit mein Herz sich erholt?
Sich erholen is a reflexive verb meaning “to recover.” Even when the subject is inanimate (here mein Herz), German still uses the reflexive pronoun (sich) to form the verb.
Why is damit used here instead of a construction with um … zu?
Both damit and um … zu express purpose, but um … zu requires the same subject in both clauses. In this sentence the subjects differ (main clause: ich; subordinate clause: mein Herz), so you must use damit + a fully conjugated verb.
Why do we say nach dem Sport and not nach Sport?
The preposition nach takes the dative case and generally requires an article with common nouns. Since Sport is masculine (der Sport), it becomes dem Sport in the dative.