4

Which is correct?

(a) Auf dem Tisch liegt ein Kugelschreiber, mit dem ich normalerweise schreibe.

(b) Auf dem Tisch liegt ein Kugelschreiber, damit schreibe ich normalerweise.

I think only (a) works. Is that right?

3 Answers 3

10

Your version (a) is completely correct:

Auf dem Tisch liegt ein Kugelschreiber, mit dem ich normalerweise schreibe.

Instead of mit dem (preposition + relative pronoun), the pronominal adverb womit can be used:

Auf dem Tisch liegt ein Kugelschreiber, womit ich normalerweise schreibe.

It doesn't sound quite right, though (but not actually wrong either); at least I do not like to refer to a concrete object with womit, whereas it is fine when referring to a class of objects:

Ich habe keinen Kugelschreiber bei mir, womit ich normalerweise schreibe.

Damit is a demonstrative pronominal adverb, which means that it cannot introduce a relative clause; therefore, your original sentence (b) before Takkat's edit was wrong. It can be used in a second main clause, however, to refer back to something mentioned before, so sentence (b) as it is now is fine. Note the different word order:

Auf dem Tisch liegt ein Kugelschreiber, damit schreibe ich normalerweise.

Instead of the comma, the sentences could as well be separated by a semicolon or a full stop. Unlike the connector (pronoun) in a relative clause, which has to come first (except for a possible preposition), damit is more free:

Auf dem Tisch liegt ein Kugelschreiber, ich schreibe normalerweise damit.
Auf dem Tisch liegt ein Kugelschreiber, ich schreibe damit normalerweise.

The pronominal adverb damit has also developed into a subordinating conjunction with the meaning so that, in order to. This conjunction introduces a subordinate clause, with corresponding word order. It is just that your example sentence makes no sense with this conjunction. However, this variation would be fine:

Auf dem Tisch liegt ein Kugelschreiber, damit ich daran denke, Hannah zu schreiben. (There is a ballpoint pen lying on the table so that I won't forget writing to Hannah.)

0
2

For the edited version of the question, both version work quite well. If you change the word order of the second version (as was in the original), you change the meaning as follows: b) "On the table is a pen, so that I normally write. So you are using the word "damit" to express a purpose.

0
2

Both sentences are correct but only (a) contains a relative clause. (b) contains two main clauses that could easily be expressed in two seperate sentences:

Auf dem Tisch liegt ein Kugelschreiber. Damit schreibe ich normalerweise.

This cannot be done with (a). Also note the word order in the subclause of (a): object - subject - predicate. It is the mandatory word order in relative subclauses which refer to the subject of the main clause as object.

2
  • 2
    Note that is an adverb (here pronominal adverb) in this example but damit can also be a 'final conjunction' which is used to express a purpose or intention. "Auf dem Tisch liegt ein Kugelschreiber, damit ich immer was zum Schreiben habe."
    – Em1
    Sep 2, 2013 at 7:19
  • @Em1 Sure, but as example (b) stands damit cannot be a conjunction, right?
    – Deve
    Sep 2, 2013 at 7:32

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.