Gleichzeitig ist zu berücksichtigen, dass

You will almost always find this phrase at the start of a sentence or a new clause. It works best after you have already established a solid point. Imagine you are building a bridge. Your first point is the first pillar. This phrase is the middle section that connects to the second pillar. Because it ends with dass, you have to remember the golden rule of German grammar: the verb goes to the very end of the sentence. It’s like a little surprise waiting for the listener at the finish line. You state the phrase, then your subject, then all your details, and finally—boom—the verb. It creates a nice sense of anticipation. It’s perfect for those moments when you want to pivot from a positive point to a realistic one. Just don't trip over the zu berücksichtigen part. It literally means "to be considered," which gives it that passive, objective feel that Germans love so much. If you can use this without stuttering, you’ve basically reached local status.

This is definitely not something you would shout across a crowded bar while watching the Bundesliga. It’s a "B2" level phrase for a reason—it’s polished and sophisticated. Think of it as the "business casual" of the German language. It’s perfect for a job interview on Zoom where you want to show you can handle complex problems. Use it in university essays, professional emails, or during a serious debate about the best way to recycle plastic. If you use it while ordering a Döner at 2 AM, the shop owner might think you’re a lost philosophy student. It belongs in spaces where people are trying to be objective and thorough. It’s the "suit and tie" of sentence starters, providing a level of Gravitas that simpler words just can't match. However, it’s not so formal that it feels robotic. It just shows you have a high-functioning brain.

Imagine you are reviewing a new smartphone on TikTok. You might say the camera is incredible. Then, you add, Gleichzeitig ist zu berücksichtigen, dass the battery dies in four hours. It gives your review instant credibility. Or consider a Slack message at work. "The project is looking great for the deadline. Gleichzeitig ist zu berücksichtigen, dass two team members are on vacation next week." It’s the ultimate "reality check" phrase. You’ll hear it constantly on German news shows like *Tagesschau* or in documentaries on Netflix. It’s the favorite tool of every expert who wants to sound like they’ve considered every possible angle. Even in a serious WhatsApp thread about climate change or politics, this phrase acts as a shield. It prevents you from sounding too extreme because you are always "considering" other factors. It’s the secret sauce of German diplomacy.

Use this phrase when you want to avoid being one-sided or biased. It’s your best friend during performance reviews or salary negotiations. "I’ve hit all my targets this year. Gleichzeitig ist zu berücksichtigen, dass I took on extra responsibilities during the merger." See how that works? It’s much more effective than just saying "and also." Use it when you are playing the "devil’s advocate" in a group chat. It softens the blow of a counter-argument. Instead of saying "You're wrong," you are saying "Let’s weigh this other factor too." It’s polite, professional, and very German. Use it when the second point you are making is actually significant. If the second point is small or trivial, this phrase is too heavy. It’s for the big stuff—the factors that could actually change the outcome of a decision.

Don't use this for tiny, everyday decisions. If you say, "I want a burger, but gleichzeitig ist zu berücksichtigen, dass I had a sandwich for lunch," you’re being way too dramatic. Just use aber or allerdings. Also, stay away from this in very casual slang-heavy settings. If you’re at a party and someone asks if the music is too loud, don't use this phrase unless you’re trying to be funny. It will make you sound like a lawyer at a birthday party. No one likes that guy. It’s also not a great choice for emotional, heat-of-the-moment arguments. If you’re angry, this phrase is too slow and calculated. It’s for calm, logical processing. It’s like bringing a scientific calculator to a poetry slam—technically impressive, but totally the wrong vibe for the room.

The biggest trap is the word order. Because of that dass, your verb must run away to the end of the sentence. Many learners forget this and try to use standard word order, which sounds very clunky to a native ear. Another common error is forgetting the ist zu. Some people try to say "Gleichzeitig berücksichtigen wir," which is grammatically fine, but it changes the meaning from "it should be considered" to "we are considering." The original phrase is more objective and powerful. Also, watch out for the spelling of Gleichzeitig. It’s one long word, not two! And finally, don't confuse it with Gleichermaßen, which means "equally." Our phrase is about adding a *different* factor, not just more of the same. Keep your factors distinct and your verbs at the end, and you’ll be golden.

If you want to sound even more like a high-level executive, you could try Zudem sollte beachtet werden, dass. It’s essentially the luxury version of our phrase. For a slightly more active and slightly less formal vibe, you might say Man muss auch bedenken, dass. This is very common in spoken debates or podcasts. If you’re writing a quick text and want to be brief, you might just use Andererseits... (On the other hand). There is also Dabei darf man nicht vergessen, dass (One shouldn't forget that...). They all live in the same neighborhood of "adding extra thoughts," but Gleichzeitig ist zu berücksichtigen, dass is the most balanced and professional of the bunch. It’s the reliable mid-sized sedan of transitions—solid, respected, and gets the job done every time.

Can I use this in a formal letter? Absolutely. It is one of the best phrases for formal correspondence, especially when explaining a complex situation or a decision. Does it always introduce a negative point? No, not at all. You can use it to introduce a positive secondary factor that supports your main argument. Is the dass mandatory? Yes, if you want to follow it with a full clause (subject and verb). If you don't use dass, you’d have to restructure the whole thing. How do I pronounce berücksichtigen? It’s a mouthful! Break it down: be-rück-sich-ti-gen. The 'ch' is the soft ich-Laut. Does it sound old-fashioned? Not in the slightest. It’s used daily in modern German journalism, business, and academia. Can I use it in a text message? Yes, but keep it for serious topics. If you're texting about where to get coffee, it's probably too much. Is there a shorter way to say this? Bedenke auch, dass... is a shorter, more casual alternative that carries a similar meaning. Why is ist zu used here? It’s a grammatical structure that expresses necessity or possibility in a passive way. It’s a very common feature of B2/C1 German. What if I forget the verb at the end? You’ll sound like a beginner, but people will still understand you. Just try to catch yourself next time! Is it common in spoken German? Yes, especially in discussions, meetings, and interviews. It’s less common in casual small talk. Can I use it to start a paragraph? It’s a great way to start a second paragraph when you’re building an argument. Does it make me sound like a native? Yes, because it shows you can handle complex sentence structures and nuanced logic.