Abschließend sei darauf hingewiesen, dass trotz

Using this phrase is like driving a manual sports car. You need to get the gears right. First, you start with Abschließend. This is your signal to the audience to wake up because the end is near. Then comes the tricky part: sei darauf hingewiesen. This is a passive-subjunctive construction. You aren't saying 'I want to point out,' which is a bit basic. You are saying 'Let it be pointed out.' It removes the 'I' and makes it objective. After that, you need the word dass (that) to start your sub-clause. Because it’s a dass-clause, your verb will fly to the very end of the sentence. Inside that clause, you use trotz followed by a noun in the Genitive case. For example: trotz der Schwierigkeiten (despite the difficulties). If you get the Genitive case wrong, the magic of the phrase fades a little. But don't worry, even Germans struggle with the Genitive sometimes. Just remember: trotz + des/der/des + Noun + Verb at the end. It’s a linguistic marathon, but the finish line is worth it!

This phrase is the linguistic equivalent of a three-piece tuxedo. You do not wear a tuxedo to buy milk at the supermarket. Similarly, you do not use Abschließend sei darauf hingewiesen, dass trotz when you are texting your friend about a Netflix show. It is strictly for very formal settings. Think academic essays, legal documents, professional business reports, or high-stakes job interviews. If you use this in a casual WhatsApp group, your friends will probably ask if you've been hacked by a 19th-century philosopher. It sits at the very top of the formality scale. It’s designed to show respect, distance, and intellectual rigor. Use it when you want to impress a professor or a CEO. It says, 'I am serious, I am thorough, and I have mastered the complex nuances of your language.'

Where do you actually hear this? You might see it in a LinkedIn 'thought leader' post where someone is wrapping up a long rant about market trends. You'll definitely see it in the conclusion of a Master's thesis. Imagine a news report about a space mission. The reporter might say: Abschließend sei darauf hingewiesen, dass trotz der technischen Probleme die Mission als Erfolg gewertet wird. (Finally, it should be pointed out that despite the technical problems, the mission is considered a success.) You might even find it in the fine print of a software license agreement, usually right before they tell you that they aren't responsible if your computer explodes. It’s the language of experts. If you're watching a German legal drama on Netflix, listen for the lawyers using this in their closing arguments. It’s their favorite way to sound undeniable.

Use this phrase when you are at the very end of a structured piece of communication. It belongs in the final paragraph or the last two minutes of a talk. Use it to introduce a 'final caveat.' This is a point that doesn't change your overall conclusion but needs to be acknowledged. For example, if you are arguing that remote work is great, you might end with: Abschließend sei darauf hingewiesen, dass trotz der Vorteile die soziale Isolation ein Risiko bleibt. (In conclusion, it should be pointed out that despite the benefits, social isolation remains a risk.) It shows that you have considered all sides of the argument. It’s also great for professional emails when you want to highlight a remaining task or a deadline that still exists despite recent progress. It makes your email sound final and authoritative.

Avoid this phrase like the plague in casual settings. Do not say this to your Uber driver. Do not use it while ordering a Döner at 2 AM. If you say, Abschließend sei darauf hingewiesen, dass trotz meines Hungers die Soße zu scharf ist, the guy behind the counter will probably just stare at you. Also, avoid using it in the middle of a conversation. It’s a 'closer.' Using it at the beginning of a speech would be like saying 'Goodbye' when you walk into a room. It creates a weird temporal paradox. Finally, don't use it if you aren't prepared to follow through with a complex sentence. If you start this phrase and then trail off because you forgot the Genitive case, it’s a bit like tripping while trying to make a grand entrance.

The biggest trap is the grammar following trotz. Many learners (and some native speakers!) use the Dative case after trotz. While this is becoming more common in speech, in the formal context where this phrase lives, you must use the Genitive. ✗ trotz dem Regen → ✓ trotz des Regens. Another mistake is forgetting the darauf. You can't just say sei hingewiesen dass. The darauf acts as a bridge to the sub-clause. Without it, the sentence collapses. Also, watch your verb placement. Since it's a dass-clause, the verb must be at the end. ✗ ...dass trotz der Krise wir haben Erfolg → ✓ ...dass trotz der Krise wir Erfolg haben. It’s a lot to juggle, but think of it as a brain workout. Your German muscles will thank you later!

If this phrase feels a bit too heavy, you can lighten it up. Instead of Abschließend sei darauf hingewiesen, you could say Zum Schluss möchte ich betonen. This is still professional but less 'old-school.' If you want to keep the trotz but lose the passive structure, try Abschließend muss man sagen, dass trotz.... If you want to go even more formal (yes, it’s possible!), you could use Zusammenfassend gilt es festzuhalten, dass ungeachtet.... Ungeachtet is the even fancier cousin of trotz. It’s like wearing a monocle with your tuxedo. In a business email, you might simply use Zuletzt ist zu beachten, dass.... This is the 'business casual' version. It gets the job done without the extra flair.

Is this phrase common? In written formal German, yes. In daily speech, almost never. Can I use 'obwohl' instead of 'trotz'? Yes, but obwohl requires a whole new clause with a subject and verb, while trotz just needs a noun. Is it okay to use this in an email? Only if it's a very formal one to a superior or a client. What if I forget the 'sei'? The phrase becomes grammatically incorrect and loses its formal tone. Does 'Abschließend' always mean 'In conclusion'? Yes, it literally means 'closing-ly.' It’s the perfect way to tell people you’re almost done talking. Use it wisely, and you'll sound like a German professor in no time!