German 'Je-desto' and 'umso' Clauses

Overview

Je...desto is a compound conjunction that forms a main clause and a subordinate one. The main clause contains desto and the subordinate one je.

je..desto means "the ... the ..."

Let's see an example to wrap our heads around this: Je weniger es gibt ,desto größer wird der Preis sein. (The less there is, the higher the price will be.) Now let's see some more examples and examples of umso as well. Another form is je...umso which means the same thing but is used less often

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July 10, 2023

Stephen Sovenyhazy

“Je… desto/umso” is a type of two-part conjunction that is used to make comparisons and/or to make conditional or causal sentences. “desto” and “umso” are interchangeable. “Je” is always used first, and “umso” is used second. The English equivalent is “the… the”. Both “je” and “desto/umso” must be followed by a comparative adjective.

1. Word order

A “je… desto” sentence consists of a main clause and a subordinate clause. The clause that begins with “je + comparative”, even though it always comes first, is the subordinate clause, which means that the verb at the end of the clause. The clause with “desto + comparative” is considered the main clause, but the word order still changes, as we place the comparative adjective or adverb in what could be considered podition one, pushing the subject behind the verb.

2. Comparative and noun

A comparative can also be used in connection with a noun “mehr Geld” (more money), “mehr Zeit” (more time). The noun must be part of the “je + comparative” or “desto/umso + comparative” formula. “Je mehr Geld ich habe…” etc.

Examples:

Je mehr man arbeitet, desto/umso mehr Geld verdienent man.
The more one workd, the more money one earns.

Je länger ich schlafe, desto/umso müder bin ich.
The longer I sleep the more tired I am.

Je öfter er übt, desto/umso besser wird er.
The more he practices, the better he becomes.

Highlighted Author:

Stephen Sovenyhazy

Stephen is the President of CORE Languages having founded the company in 2007. His focus is on empowering those with a need for community, culture and communication. For over a decade, CORE has helped businesses achieve their strategic international goals by empowering employees to learn and find joy in communicating in a new language and cultural context. With our online instructor-led courses, we now bring this to community members across the globe. A quote from Stephen. "When I started teaching, I sought to bring that same energy, dedication, and sense of purpose into my own classrooms. I founded CORE Languages to expand that vision, seeing the growing need for language training options designed to meet the unique needs of business environments. For over a decade, CORE has helped businesses achieve their strategic international goals by empowering employees to learn and find joy in communicating in a new language and cultural context. With our online instructor-led courses, we now bring this to community members across the globe. It’s a privilege to do what we do and share what we love with you.”

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Common European Framework of Reference for Languages

The CEFR is an international standard used to describe language ability. Here are specific details of the CEFR for this topic.

General Explanation:

Can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. Can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken. Can produce simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest. Can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes & ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.

Specific Capabilities at this Level

Writing:

I can write simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest. I can write personal letters describing experiences and impressions.

Spoken Production:

I can connect phrases in a simple way in order to describe experiences and events, my dreams, hopes and ambitions. I can briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans. I can narrate a story or relate the plot of a book or film and describe my reactions.

Spoken Interaction:

I can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken. I can enter unprepared into conversation on topics that are familiar, of personal interest or pertinent to everyday life (e.g. family, hobbies, work, travel and current events).

Reading:

I can understand texts that consist mainly of high frequency everyday or job-related language. I can understand the description of events, feelings and wishes in personal letters.

Listening:

I can understand the main points of clear standard speech on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. I can understand the main point of many radio or TV programs on current affairs or topics of personal or professional interest when the delivery is relatively slow and clear.