Seitdem (since then/since)

“Seitdem” is a subordinating conjunction that introduces a time-related subordinate clause. It expresses that an action started in the past and continues into the present.

Rules:

• The action in the subordinate clause began in the past and is still relevant.
• The verb in the subordinate clause goes to the end.

Examples in Present Tense:

Seitdem ich nicht mehr rauche, fühle ich mich viel besser.
Since I stopped smoking, I feel much better.

Seitdem ich arbeiten gehe, habe ich viel mehr Geld.
Since I started working, I have much more money.

Seitdem ich in Deutschland lebe, habe ich viele neue Freunde gefunden.
Since I have been living in Germany, I have made many new friends.

Seitdem sie ein Auto hat, fährt sie nicht mehr mit dem Bus.
Since she has had a car, she no longer takes the bus.

• The subordinate clause refers to a past event, while the main clause is in the present tense; however, the verbs in both the main clause and the subordinate clause are in the present tense.

Examples in Past Tense:

Seitdem er den neuen Job bekommen hat, verdient er viel mehr Geld.
Since he got the new job, he has been earning much more money.

Seitdem er operiert wurde, geht es ihm viel besser.
Since he had surgery, he has been feeling much better.

Seitdem sie ein neues Auto gekauft hat, fährt sie nicht mehr mit dem Zug.
Since she has bought a new  car, she doesn’t travel bby train anymore.

• The subordinate clause refers to a past event, while the main clause is in the present tense. The verb in the subordinate clause may also appear in the past tense; however, the verb in the main clause must always remain in the present tense.

Bis (until)

“Bis” is a subordinating conjunction that defines a point in time until an action happens.

Rules:

• The action in the main clause continues until the action in the subordinate clause takes place.
• The verb in the subordinate clause goes to the end.

Examples in Present Tense:

Er trinkt so lange, bis er besoffen ist.
He keeps drinking until he is drunk.

Sie lernen weiter, bis sie die B2-Prüfung bestehen.
They continue studying until they pass the B2 exam.

Ich warte, bis du fertig bist.
I will wait until you are finished.

Ich werde hier bleiben, bis du zurückkommst.
I will stay here until you come back.

Sie diskutieren, bis sie eine Lösung finden.
They discuss until they find a solution.

Wir fahren, bis wir das Ziel erreichen.
We drive until we reach our destination.

Examples with Past Tense:

Er trank, bis er besoffen war.
He drank until he was drunk.

Sie haben gelernt, bis sie die B2-Prüfung bestanden haben.
They studied until they passed the B2 exam.

Er wartete, bis der Bus kam.
He waited until the bus came.

Sie blieb im Büro, bis ihr Chef zurückkam.
She stayed in the office until her boss came back.

Ich lernte, bis ich alles verstanden hatte.
I studied until I had understood everything.

Wir spielten, bis es dunkel wurde.
We played until it got dark.

Er arbeitete, bis er müde war.
He worked until he was tired.

Damit / Um…zu (so that/in order to)

Both “damit” and “um…zu” express purpose (Zweck) and answer the question “Wozu?” (For what purpose?).

Rules:

“Damit” is used when the subjects of the main clause and the subordinate clause are different. It can also be used when the subjects are the same.

“Um … zu” is used only when the subject of the main clause and the subordinate clause is the same.

Examples with “damit” (Different subjects): 

Ich lerne Deutsch, damit ich mit meinen Freunden sprechen kann.*
I am learning German so that I can talk to my friends.

Er arbeitet hart, damit seine Kinder studieren können.
He works hard so that his children can study.

Er studiert Medizin, damit seine Eltern stolz auf ihn sind.
He studies medicine so that his parents are proud of him.

Ich lerne Deutsch, damit ich mit meinen Kollegen sprechen kann.
I learn German so that I can talk to my colleagues.

Er gibt seinem Sohn Geld, damit er sich ein Fahrrad kaufen kann.
He gives his son money so that he can buy a bicycle.

Sie kocht gesund, damit ihre Familie gesund bleibt.
She cooks healthy food so that her family stays healthy.

*The infinitive construction “um … zu” cannot be used here because the subjects differ. In contrast, “damit” can be used in both cases when the subjects are identical and when they are different.

Examples with “um…zu” (Same subject):

Ich lerne Deutsch, um mit meinen Freunden sprechen zu können.
I am learning German in order to talk to my friends.

Er macht Sport, um immer fit zu bleiben.
He does sports in order to always stay fit.

Sie geht früh schlafen, um am nächsten Tag fit zu sein.
She goes to bed early in order to be fit the next day.

Er arbeitet hart, um viel Geld verdienen zu können.
He works hard to earn a lot of money.

Wir treffen uns, um das Projekt zu besprechen.
We are meeting in order to discuss the project.

Ich rufe dich an, um dir etwas Wichtiges zu sagen.
I am calling you in order to tell you something important.

Er steht früh auf, um den Zug zu erreichen.
He gets up early in order to catch the train.

Ich gehe ins Fitnessstudio, um abzunehmen.
I go to the gym in order to lose weight.

Sie ruft an, um einen Termin zu vereinbaren.
She calls in order to arrange an appointment.