fir datt
So That: Fir Datt
Fir datt means so that: Ech schwätze lues, fir datt jidderee mech versteet. (I speak slowly so that everyone understands me.)
How It Works
1. How it is built
Fir datt, then the subject, then everything else, and the conjugated verb last:
- Maach d'Dier zou, fir datt d'Kaz net erauskënnt. (Close the door so that the cat can't get out.)
- Mir fuere fréi fort, fir datt mer net am Stau stinn. (We are leaving early so that we don't get stuck in traffic.)
A comma always separates the fir datt clause from the main clause. Fir and datt are written as two words, and fir dass is an accepted variant.
2. Fir datt or fir ... ze?
- Same subject: Ech schwätze lues, fir besser verstanen ze ginn. See fir ... ze.
- Different subject: Ech schwätze lues, fir datt jidderee mech versteet.
Fir datt also works with the same subject, but fir ... ze is shorter and more natural there.
3. Tense
The purpose clause is often in the present, even after a past main clause: D'Këscht gouf ausgepolstert, fir datt d'Glieser net briechen. (The box was padded so that the glasses would not break.)
4. At the start of the sentence
A fir datt clause can come first. Then the main verb follows the comma: Fir datt de Kuch gutt gëtt, muss den Uewe waarm sinn. See Starting With a Subordinate Clause.
5. With du
Before du or de, write the linking s: fir datt s de se net vergëss. See The S After Conjunctions With Du.
Examples (6)
- Ech schwätze lues, fir datt jidderee mech versteet.
I speak slowly so that everyone understands me.
Versteet goes to the end. Jiddereen loses its n before m.
- Maach d'Dier zou, fir datt d'Kaz net erauskënnt.
Close the door so that the cat can't get out.
The separable verb erauskommen is one word at the end.
- Mir fuere fréi fort, fir datt mer net am Stau stinn.
We're leaving early so that we don't get stuck in traffic.
- Ech schreiwen der d'Adress op, fir datt s de se net vergëss.
I'll write the address down for you so that you don't forget it.
The linking s before de.
- D'Këscht gouf ausgepolstert, fir datt d'Glieser net briechen.
The box was padded so that the glasses would not break.
The purpose clause stays in the present after a past main clause.
- Fir datt de Kuch gutt gëtt, muss den Uewe waarm sinn.
For the cake to turn out well, the oven has to be hot.
The fir datt clause comes first, so muss follows the comma.
Common Mistakes
Using fir ... ze when the second action has a different subject.
Ech schwätze lues, fir jidderee mech ze verstoen.Ech schwätze lues, fir datt jidderee mech versteet.Fir ... ze has no subject of its own. When someone else is meant, use a full clause with fir datt.
Leaving the verb in second place after fir datt.
Ech schwätze lues, fir datt jidderee versteet mech.Ech schwätze lues, fir datt jidderee mech versteet.Fir datt starts a subordinate clause, so the conjugated verb goes to the end.
Writing fir datt as one word.
Ech schwätze lues, firdatt jidderee mech versteet.Ech schwätze lues, fir datt jidderee mech versteet.The official spelling writes fir datt as two words.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Before So That: Fir datt, learn In Order To: Fir ... ze and That: Datt.
Related Patterns
- The Verb at the End of Subordinate Clauses
The verb goes to the end of a fir datt clause.
Level 2 - esou ... dattSo ... That: Esou ... Datt
Esou ... datt expresses a result rather than a purpose.
Level 4 - wellBecause: Well
Well gives a reason; fir datt gives a purpose.
Level 2 - ouni datt / amplaz dattOuni Datt and Amplaz Datt
Other conjunctions built on datt.
Level 5
Words in This Pattern
Practice fir datt in Bubblegum
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