Start with the intended meaning
Use the fixed wording to bracket an issue, then say what follows. Explain the next action or limitation clearly. If the other person needs an answer to the unresolved concern, the formula alone may sound dismissive.
Use wie dem auch sei to move the argument on
Über den Grund sind wir uns nicht einig. Wie dem auch sei, wir müssen jetzt einen Termin wählen. The fixed phrase brackets the unresolved issue and returns to a consequence or next step. It means roughly “be that as it may”, not necessarily agreement or permission. Learn dem and sei as part of this formula. A clause with es, such as wie es auch sei in an appropriate context, belongs to a different construction and is not automatically ungrammatical.
These forms can sound firm or dismissive when used to set aside another person’s concern. State what you acknowledge and why the consequence still holds. For an ordinary factual obstacle, an obwohl-clause may be simpler. Do not inflate every contrast into an open “whatever” claim. Related clause distinctions are in when, if and because.
Apply the pattern in another context
Wir wissen noch nicht, warum der Raum geschlossen ist. Wie dem auch sei, wir treffen uns heute draußen.
The cause is still unresolved; the next meeting arrangement is stated separately.
Deinen Einwand verstehe ich. Wie dem auch sei, bis morgen brauchen wir eine Entscheidung.
The speaker acknowledges the concern before returning to the practical deadline. This is not the same as accepting every claim.
Choose the form and explain the meaning
8. Does “Wie dem auch sei” mean the speaker agrees with the previous claim?
Not necessarily. It sets the issue aside to continue; agreement must be stated separately if needed.
Additional check 1. Complete the fixed phrase: Wie ___ auch ___.
Wie dem auch sei. Learn dem and sei as parts of this formula.
Additional check 2. Must the cause be settled before saying Wie dem auch sei, wir beginnen jetzt?
No. The formula can set that unresolved issue aside and move to the next action. Whether that is appropriate depends on the situation.
Additional check 3. Why can a bare Wie dem auch sei be unhelpful after someone raises a serious practical obstacle?
It may sound as if the obstacle is being dismissed. Acknowledge the issue and explain why the next action or limitation still applies.
Start with the topic overview
German auch immer clauses: whoever and whatever · Find another grammar topic
Questions about this topic
Is wie dem auch sei an agreement formula?
Not necessarily. It brackets an issue and moves to a next point, whether or not that issue has been settled.
Sources and further learning
- IDS grammis: Irrelevanzsätze
- IDS grammis: Gegenstandsfundierte W-Sätze
- LEO dictionary: wie dem auch sei
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