Subordinating conjunctions introduce dependent clauses, showing relationships like cause, time, condition, or purpose. In German, they always push the verb to the end of their clause.
Common Subordinating Conjunctions
Here are some of the most common subordinating conjunctions, grouped by the type of relationship they express.
| German | English | Example (German) | Example (English) |
|---|---|---|---|
| weil | because | Ich bleibe zu Hause, weil ich müde bin. | I’m staying home because I’m tired. |
| dass | that | Ich hoffe, dass du kommst. | I hope that you come. |
| ob | whether/if | Weißt du, ob er kommt? | Do you know if he’s coming? |
| wenn | if/when (conditional/repeated) | Wenn es regnet, bleibe ich zu Hause. | If/When it rains, I stay home. |
| als | when (past) | Als ich klein war, spielte ich viel. | When I was small, I played a lot. |
| bevor | before | Ich esse, bevor ich gehe. | I eat before I leave. |
| nachdem | after | Nachdem ich gegessen hatte, ging ich raus. | After I had eaten, I went out. |
| solange | as long as | Solange du lernst, kannst du bleiben. | As long as you study, you can stay. |
| sobald | as soon as | Sobald ich fertig bin, rufe ich dich an. | As soon as I’m done, I’ll call you. |
| obwohl | although | Obwohl es regnet, gehen wir spazieren. | Although it’s raining, we’re going for a walk. |
| damit | so that | Ich lerne, damit ich die Prüfung bestehe. | I study so that I pass the exam. |
| falls | in case | Falls du kommst, sag mir Bescheid. | In case you come, let me know. |
Word Order Rules
- The verb in the subordinate clause goes to the end.
- The subordinate clause is introduced by the conjunction and is grammatically self-contained.
- The main clause and subordinate clause are separated by a comma.
- If the subordinate clause comes first, the main clause starts with the verb immediately after the comma.
Examples of Word Order
| Conjunction | Example (German) | Example (English) |
|---|---|---|
| weil | Ich bleibe zu Hause, weil ich müde bin. | I’m staying home because I’m tired. |
| dass | Ich weiß, dass du Recht hast. | I know that you’re right. |
| ob | Er fragt, ob du kommst. | He asks if you’re coming. |
| wenn | Wenn ich Zeit habe, besuche ich dich. | If I have time, I’ll visit you. (Subordinate first) |
| wenn | Ich besuche dich, wenn ich Zeit habe. | I’ll visit you if I have time. (Main first) |
Position of the Subordinate Clause
- The subordinate clause can appear before or after the main clause.
- When the subordinate clause comes first, a comma follows it and the main clause starts with the verb.
- When the subordinate clause comes second, a comma separates the clauses, but word order in the main clause remains normal.
Where can the subordinate clause appear in relation to the main clause in German sentences?
The subordinate clause can appear before or after the main clause.
German allows subordinate clauses to appear either before or after the main clause.
Examples: Position of Clauses
| Position | Example (German) | Example (English) |
|---|---|---|
| Subordinate first | Obwohl es regnet, gehen wir raus. | Although it’s raining, we’re going out. |
| Subordinate first | Bevor ich schlafe, lese ich. | Before I sleep, I read. |
| Subordinate second | Wir gehen raus, obwohl es regnet. | We’re going out, although it’s raining. |
| Subordinate second | Ich lese, bevor ich schlafe. | I read before I sleep. |
Summary
- Subordinating conjunctions introduce dependent clauses.
- The verb in the subordinate clause moves to the end.
- The clauses are separated by a comma.
- The subordinate clause can come before or after the main clause.
- Common conjunctions include weil, dass, ob, wenn, als, bevor, nachdem, obwohl, damit, falls.
Next Steps
- Practice identifying and using subordinating conjunctions in your own sentences.
- Pay special attention to moving the verb to the end in subordinate clauses.
- See how the meaning changes depending on which conjunction you use.
Flashcards (1 of 21)
- English: because
- Example (English): I’m staying home because I’m tired.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
