Wir können die Kosten weiter senken, indem wir Energie sparen.

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Breakdown of Wir können die Kosten weiter senken, indem wir Energie sparen.

• können: can
• sparen: to save
• die Energie: the energy

Questions & Answers about Wir können die Kosten weiter senken, indem wir Energie sparen.

What is the function of weiter in this sentence?

weiter is an adverb meaning “further” or “additional.” Here it modifies the verb senken, so weiter senken means “to reduce further” (i.e. make additional cuts). It is not part of a separable verb; it simply intensifies the reduction.

How do I know when to use senken versus sinken?

• senken is a transitive verb (takes a direct object): you senken something (e.g. Kosten, Preise).
• sinken is intransitive (no direct object): something sinkt on its own (e.g. Wasserpegel, Temperaturen).
  Since we actively reduce the costs, we need senken and say die Kosten senken.

Why is there a comma before indem?

indem introduces a subordinate clause that explains the means (“by doing X”). In German, every subordinate clause is separated from the main clause by a comma. Thus:
Wir können die Kosten weiter senken, indem wir Energie sparen.

What does indem do to the word order of the following clause?