Subordinating conjunctions connect a main clause with a subordinate clause and mark the semantic relationship between the two parts of the sentence. They introduce complement clauses, causal clauses, concessive clauses, conditional clauses, temporal clauses, and purpose clauses. To classify and delimit conjunctions, it also helps to look at Conjunctions and at the sentence structure in Subordinate clauses..

That and whether introduce complement clauses that insert a statement, uncertainty, or an indirect question into the sentence. That is used for confirmed or asserted content, while whether expresses a decision or uncertainty. In both cases, the finite verb sits at the end of the subordinate clause, and the subordinate clause is separated from the main clause by a comma.

IdeeIdea	BeispielExample
dass leitet einen Ergänzungssatz ein.that introduces a complement clause.	Ich glaube, dass er kommt.I believe that he is coming.
ob leitet eine indirekte Frage oder Unsicherheit ein.whether introduces an indirect question or uncertainty.	Ich weiß nicht, ob sie kommt.I don't know whether she is coming.
Der Nebensatz hat das finite Verb am Satzende.The subordinate clause has the finite verb at the end.	Ich hoffe, dass morgen alles klappt.I hope that everything works out tomorrow.

Weil introduces a causal clause and states the reason for an action or a state. The subordinate clause ends with the finite verb and is separated from the main clause by a comma in standard language. In spoken language, weil can also appear with verb-second position regionally and stylistically; standard language, however, favors the verb-final position.

IdeeIdea	BeispielExample
weil nennt den Grund.weil states the reason.	Er bleibt zuhause, weil er krank ist.He stays at home because he is sick.
Der Grundsatz folgt der Standardwortstellung.The rule follows standard word order.	Sie lernt viel, weil sie die Prüfung bestehen will.She studies a lot because she wants to pass the exam.
In der Umgangssprache kann weil mit Verbzweitstellung erscheinen.In casual speech, weil can appear with verb-second word order.	Ich gehe, weil ich bin müde.I go, because I am tired.

Although introduces a concessive clause and shows a contrast between expectation and reality. The subordinate clause describes a known or visible counterpoint, without canceling the content of the main clause. As with other subordinating conjunctions, the finite verb is at the end of the subordinate clause, and the whole subordinate clause is separated by a comma.

IdeeIdea	BeispielExample
obwohl drückt einen Gegensatz aus.although expresses a contrast.	Obwohl es kalt ist, geht sie schwimmen.Although it is cold, she goes swimming.
Der Nebensatz nennt die Gegenlage.The subordinate clause states the counterpoint.	Obwohl er müde ist, arbeitet er weiter.Although he is tired, he continues to work.
Das Verb steht im Nebensatz am Ende.The verb is at the end of the subordinate clause.	Obwohl sie wenig Zeit hat, liest sie noch.Although they have little time, they still read.

If introduces a conditional clause describing a recurring, general, or regularly occurring condition. Falls introduces a conditional clause as well, but it sounds more uncertain or cautious and fits possible, not certainly expected situations. Both conjunctions require the verb-final position in the subordinate clause and a comma between the main clause and the subordinate clause.

IdeeIdea	BeispielExample
wenn beschreibt eine wiederkehrende Bedingung.if describes a recurring condition.	Wenn es regnet, nehme ich einen Schirm.If it rains, I take an umbrella.
falls beschreibt eine unsichere Bedingung.Falls describes an uncertain condition.	Falls er anruft, sag Bescheid.If he calls, tell him.
Der Nebensatz steht mit finitem Verb am Ende.The subordinate clause ends with the finite verb.	Wenn du Zeit hast, komm vorbei.If you have time, drop by.

Als introduces a temporal clause for a one-time action in the past. Nachdem shows anteriority and connects an earlier action with a later consequence. Bevor marks posteriority in the sense of something that happens before another event, and again the finite verb is at the end of the subordinate clause.

IdeeIdea	BeispielExample
als bezeichnet einen einmaligen Zeitpunkt in der Vergangenheit.als denotes a single moment in the past.	Als Kind spielte ich viel draußen.As a child I played outside a lot.
nachdem zeigt Vorzeitigkeit.Nachdem shows anteriority.	Nachdem er gegessen hatte, machte er Hausaufgaben.After he had eaten, he did his homework.
bevor nennt eine Handlung vor einem anderen Ereignis.Bevor denotes before relation.	Bevor du gehst, schreib mir.Before you go, write to me.

Damit introduces a final clause and states the purpose of an action. The clause describes what is done for, and ends with the finite verb. Formally and concisely, instead of a damit clause a to-infinitive construction with Um zu can be used when the subject of the main clause and the infinitive are the same. In many varieties of the German-speaking world, the choice between these forms is mainly a matter of style.

IdeeIdea	BeispielExample
damit drückt einen Zweck aus.to express a purpose.	Ich spare Geld, damit ich reisen kann.I save money, so that I can travel.
Um zu ist die knappe formelle Alternative bei gleichem Subjekt.Um zu is the concise formal alternative when the subject is the same.	Ich spare Geld, um zu reisen.I save money to travel.
Der Nebensatz bleibt mit Verb am Ende.The subordinate clause stays with the verb at the end.	Sie lernt viel, damit sie die Prüfung besteht.She studies a lot, so that she passes the exam.

Subordinating conjunctions appear at the beginning of the subordinate clause and trigger the typical subordinate clause order. The finite verb moves to the end of the subordinate clause, while the main clause retains its normal word order. The subordinate clause is usually separated by a comma, even if it precedes the main clause.

IdeeIdea	BeispielExample
Die Konjunktion eröffnet den Nebensatz.The conjunction opens the subordinate clause.	Weil er krank ist, bleibt er zuhause.Because he is sick, he stays at home.
Das finite Verb steht am Ende.The finite verb sits at the end.	Ich glaube, dass er morgen kommt.I believe that he is coming tomorrow.
Der Nebensatz wird mit Komma abgetrennt.The subordinate clause is separated by a comma.	Wenn du willst, komme ich mit.If you want, I will come with you.

Subordinate clauses are normally separated from the main clause by a comma, regardless of whether they precede or follow the main clause. This separation helps to clearly recognize the sentence boundary and to make the position of the verb in the subordinate clause visible. Elliptical structures can deviate if there is no complete subordinate clause.

IdeeIdea	BeispielExample
Nebensätze stehen meist mit Komma.Subordinate clauses are usually separated by a comma.	Ich gehe nach Hause, weil ich müde bin.I go home because I am tired.
Auch vorangestellte Nebensätze bekommen ein Komma.Even subordinate clauses that precede the main clause get a comma.	Wenn es regnet, bleiben wir drin.If it rains, we stay inside.
Verkürzte Strukturen können ohne vollständigen Nebensatz auftreten.Elliptical structures can occur without a full subordinate clause.	Vor dem Essen Hände waschen.Wash your hands before eating.

Some subordinating conjunctions differ by register, region, and language habit, without changing the basic rule of subordinate clause word order. weil can appear in casual speech with verb-second position, while standard language requires verb-final position. Regional preferences in Austria and Switzerland may slightly favor certain formulations, but the syntactic classification remains the same.

RegionRegion	Wort oder WendungWord or phrase	Regionale DefinitionRegional definition	BeispielExample
StandarddeutschStandard German	weilweil	Die Standardsprache verwendet weil mit Nebensatz und Verb am Ende.The standard language uses weil with a subordinate clause and the verb at the end.	Ich bleibe daheim, weil ich krank bin.I stay at home because I am ill.
UmgangsspracheColloquial speech	weil mit Verbzweitstellungweil with verb-second order	In lockerer Rede erscheint weil gelegentlich mit Verbzweitstellung.In casual speech, weil occasionally appears with verb-second order.	Ich bleibe daheim, weil ich bin krank.I stay at home because I am ill.
ÖsterreichAustria	fallsfalls	Falls wirkt oft besonders passend für vorsichtige oder mögliche Bedingungen.Falls is often especially suitable for cautious or possible conditions.	Falls er kommt, warten wir.If he comes, we'll wait.
SchweizSwitzerland	obwohlobwohl	Obwohl wird auch regional im formellen und alltäglichen Stil verwendet.Although is also regionally used in formal and everyday style.	Obwohl es spät ist, bleibt er wach.Although it is late, he stays awake.

That, because, although, when, if, as, after, before, so that, and whether are the key subordinating conjunctions that allow forming the main types of subordinate clauses.