dergestalt, dass

In Such a Way That (Dergestalt Dass)

Level 5

dergestalt, dass is a high-register conjunction used to describe the specific manner of an action that leads to a particular result. It is primarily found in legal, academic, and bureaucratic German.

How It Works

The expression dergestalt, dass is a hallmark of gehobene Sprache (elevated language).

1. Etymology and Structure:
The word dergestalt is an 'erstarrter Genitiv' (frozen genitive), originally meaning 'of this shape' or 'in this form'. In modern usage, it acts as an adverbial antecedent in the main clause, while dass introduces the subordinate clause. Note that a comma is mandatory before dass.

2. Usage and Register:
You will rarely hear this in spoken German. It is used in:

  • Legal Texts: To define specific conditions in contracts or laws.
  • Academic Writing: To describe precise technical processes.
  • Official Documents: Known as Amtsdeutsch (bureaucratic German).

3. Synonyms:
A common and slightly less archaic synonym for dergestalt is derart. While still formal, derart is more frequently encountered in modern journalism and literature.

4. Standalone Adverbial Use:
Beyond the conjunctional use, dergestalt can function as a standalone adverb meaning 'in such a way' or 'to such an extent' (e.g., 'Dergestalt informiert, konnte er eine Entscheidung treffen').

5. Word Order:
Because it uses the conjunction dass, it follows the verb-final rule. The finite verb must move to the very end of the clause.

Examples (4)

  1. Der Vertrag ist dergestalt zu ändern, dass die Haftungssumme begrenzt wird.

    The contract is to be amended in such a way that the liability amount is limited.

    Word by Word: The contract is in-such-fashion to change, that the liability-sum limited becomes.

    This is a classic example of Legal German, specifying a required change and its result.

  2. Die Software wurde dergestalt programmiert, dass sie Systemfehler automatisch erkennt.

    The software was programmed in such a fashion that it automatically detects system errors.

    Word by Word: The software was in-such-fashion programmed, that it system-errors automatically detects.

    In technical contexts, this emphasizes the specific logic of the programming.

  3. Er formte den Teig dergestalt, dass eine perfekte Brezel entstand.

    He shaped the dough in such a way that a perfect pretzel was formed.

    Word by Word: He shaped the dough in-such-fashion, that a perfect pretzel arose.

    Even in descriptive or literary contexts, this pattern suggests a high level of precision in the action.

  4. Die Regeln wurden dergestalt verschärft, dass kaum noch Ausnahmen möglich sind.

    The rules were tightened to such an extent that hardly any exceptions are possible anymore.

    Word by Word: The rules were in-such-fashion tightened, that hardly still exceptions possible are.

    Here, the focus is on the degree or extent of the tightening.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the pattern in casual conversation.

    Ich habe die Pizza dergestalt geschnitten, dass jeder ein Stück bekommt.
    Ich habe die Pizza so geschnitten, dass jeder ein Stück bekommt.

    Using 'dergestalt, dass' for everyday tasks like cutting pizza sounds unnaturally stiff or even sarcastic. Use so dass for daily life.

  • Incorrect word order in the 'dass' clause.

    Der Plan wurde dergestalt angepasst, dass wir haben mehr Zeit.
    Der Plan wurde dergestalt angepasst, dass wir mehr Zeit haben.

    Always remember that 'dass' is a subordinating conjunction, requiring the verb to be at the end of the clause.

  • Omitting the mandatory comma.

    Die Regeln wurden dergestalt dass niemand sie verstand geändert.
    Die Regeln wurden dergestalt, dass niemand sie verstand, geändert.

    In German, the subordinate clause introduced by 'dass' must be separated from the main clause by a comma.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

dergestalt, dassLevel 5In Such a Way That (Dergestalt Dass)

Learn This First

To understand 'dergestalt dass', a learner must be comfortable with subordinate clause structures and the basic conjunction 'dass'. Since this is a formal result clause, familiarity with the more common 'sodass' provides the necessary functional context for how result clauses operate in German.

Words in This Pattern

dergestalt