B2-29 · Point ahead to a dass-clause
The mobility transition
Use prepositional correlates such as darauf, damit and davon before clauses about a fictional transport project.
About 5 minutes to read · 13 quiz questions
01
Keep the verb's preposition
A verb with a preposition can point forward to a whole clause. Sich darauf verlassen, dass ... keeps the auf from sich verlassen auf. The da-compound is a correlate, a word announcing the clause that follows.
Eva verlässt sich darauf, dass der Bus pünktlich kommt.
Eva relies on the bus arriving on time.
Die Stadt besteht darauf, dass der Zugang frei bleibt.
The town insists that access remains clear.
Wir rechnen damit, dass die Bauarbeiten länger dauern.
We expect the construction work to take longer.
Der Erfolg hängt davon ab, dass die Anschlüsse funktionieren.
Success depends on the connections working.
This fictional town is changing its transport network. Die Ladestation means charging station and der Nahverkehr local public transport. A correlate refers to the content of the whole clause, not a person.
02
Anticipation and concern
Other fixed phrases also use correlates. Dafür sorgen, dass ... means to ensure that something happens. Davon ausgehen, dass ... introduces an assumption about the situation.
Die Betreiber sorgen dafür, dass die Stationen erreichbar bleiben.
The operators ensure that the stations remain accessible.
Eva geht davon aus, dass die Tickets gültig bleiben.
Eva assumes that the tickets will remain valid.
Die Stadt legt Wert darauf, dass die Wege sicher sind.
The town places importance on the routes being safe.
Ben zweifelt daran, dass der Plan rechtzeitig fertig wird.
Ben doubts that the plan will be ready on time.
Pay attention to the whole phrase. Dafür sorgen expresses taking care that something happens. Davon ausgehen expresses an assumption. The preposition carries part of the meaning.
03
Build the clause after the correlate
The correlate stays in the main clause. Dass introduces a subordinate clause with the finite verb at the end. A plural subject there still needs a plural verb.
Eva rechnet damit, dass die Busse häufiger fahren.
Eva expects the buses to run more frequently.
Die Stadt sorgt dafür, dass der Zugang frei bleibt.
The town ensures that access remains clear.
Ben geht davon aus, dass die Ladestation morgen geöffnet wird.
Ben assumes that the charging station will be opened tomorrow.
Wir verlassen uns darauf, dass die Anschlüsse funktionieren.
We rely on the connections working.
The speaker may express confidence, doubt or an expectation. Those attitudes do not establish the facts. The examples concern the invented project and practise how to report the speaker's position.
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