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Questions & Answers about Ich schalte den Fernseher trotzdem ein, indem ich das Tablet als Fernbedienung nutze.
What does trotzdem mean, and why is it placed between the object and the separable verb?
Trotzdem means “nevertheless” or “anyway.” It shows that you do something despite a possible obstacle or contradiction. In German word order, adverbs like trotzdem usually sit in the “middle field” (after subject and before the verb’s separable prefix). In your sentence:
Ich (subject) schalte (verb) den Fernseher (object) trotzdem (adverb) ein (separable prefix).
You could also start with trotzdem—for example, Trotzdem schalte ich den Fernseher ein—but then it goes in first position, and the finite verb moves to second position.
Why is the verb einschalten split into schalte and ein here?
Einschalten is a separable verb: ein is the prefix, schalten the main verb. In main clauses, the prefix detaches and goes to the end of the clause. That’s why you say ich schalte ... ein. In subordinate clauses or infinitive forms, the parts remain together: e.g. dass ich das Gerät einschalte or das Gerät einzuschalten.
Why does the verb appear at the end of the clause introduced by indem?
Indem is a subordinating conjunction (“by …-ing”), so it always sends the finite verb to the very end of its clause. Any subordinating conjunction in German—weil, dass, obwohl, indem, etc.—triggers this verb-final word order.
What is the function of indem, and how is it different from weil or denn?
Indem describes the method or means by which something happens, equivalent to English “by …-ing.” In your sentence, it explains how you switch on the TV (by using the tablet). In contrast, weil or denn give a reason (“because”), not the method:
• Indem ich spare, kann ich ein neues Handy kaufen.
• Ich kaufe ein neues Handy, weil ich es brauche.
Why is den Fernseher in the accusative case here?
Fernseher is the direct object of einschalten (you switch something on). Direct objects in German take the accusative case. Since Fernseher is masculine (der Fernseher → den Fernseher), the article becomes den.
What role does als Fernbedienung play, and why is there no article before Fernbedienung?
Als Fernbedienung means “as a remote control.” Here als indicates the function or role of the tablet. When als is used to express “in the role of,” German often drops the article (just like English “as teacher” vs. “as the teacher”). If you wanted to be more explicit, you could say als eine Fernbedienung, but it’s not necessary.
What does als mean in this context?
Here als translates to “as” (in the sense of “in the role of”). It shows that you’re using the tablet in place of a conventional remote: ich nutze das Tablet als Fernbedienung = “I use the tablet as a remote control.”
What is the difference between nutzen and benutzen?
Both verbs mean “to use,” but with a slight nuance:
• nutzen often leans toward “to make use of,” or “to benefit from,” and can be a bit more abstract.
• benutzen is more concrete, “to handle or operate something.”
In everyday speech you can say das Tablet als Fernbedienung nutzen or benutzen interchangeably, though nutzen may sound a bit more formal.
What’s the difference between Fernseher and Fernsehen?
They look similar but differ in meaning:
• Fernseher (noun) = the television set (the physical device).
• Fernsehen (verb or noun) = to watch TV / the activity of watching TV.
You schaltest den Fernseher ein (switch on the TV) and then siehst fern or siehst Fernsehen (watch TV).
Why is the present tense used here even if I’m not doing it at this very moment?
In German the present tense covers both current actions and habitual or general truths. Ich schalte den Fernseher trotzdem ein can mean “I am switching it on right now” or “I switch it on in such situations anyway.” English often distinguishes with “I switch it on” vs. “I’m switching it on,” but German uses the same form for both.
