Non-defining clauses (auch: nicht einschränkende Relativsätze) are relative clauses that add extra information to a sentence without limiting or specifying the meaning of the noun. They are set off by commas and use relative pronouns like der, die, das (or welcher, welche, welches).
In German, non-defining clauses provide additional information about a noun that is already clear or identified, similar to English non-defining relative clauses. Unlike defining relative clauses, they do not restrict the meaning of the noun and are always set off by commas.
How Non-defining Clauses Work
Non-defining clauses add extra, non-essential information about a noun or pronoun already known to the reader or listener. Removing the clause does not change the main meaning of the sentence.
- The main clause remains grammatically complete without the non-defining clause.
- The non-defining clause is always separated by commas.
- The relative pronoun agrees in gender and number with its antecedent and takes the case required by the clause.
Examples:
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Mein Bruder, der in Berlin wohnt, kommt morgen. | My brother, who lives in Berlin, is coming tomorrow. |
| Das Buch, das ich gestern gekauft habe, ist spannend. | The book, which I bought yesterday, is exciting. |
| Frau Müller, die unsere Lehrerin ist, ist sehr nett. | Mrs. Müller, who is our teacher, is very nice. |
How are non-defining clauses marked in German sentences?
They are always set off by commas.
Non-defining clauses are always separated from the main sentence by commas to indicate the extra, non-essential information.
Relative Pronouns Used
In non-defining clauses, German uses the same relative pronouns as in defining clauses:
- der (masculine singular)
- die (feminine singular and plural)
- das (neuter singular)
- die (plural)
- welcher, welche, welches (more formal or literary)
The pronoun’s case depends on its function in the relative clause (subject, direct object, etc.).
Example Tables
Describing People
| German Example | English Example |
|---|---|
| Mein Onkel, der in Hamburg lebt, ist Arzt. | My uncle, who lives in Hamburg, is a doctor. |
| Anna, die neben mir sitzt, liest ein Buch. | Anna, who is sitting next to me, is reading a book. |
| Peter und Julia, die Freunde sind, gehen zusammen ins Kino. | Peter and Julia, who are friends, are going to the cinema together. |
Describing Things
| German Example | English Example |
|---|---|
| Das Auto, das rot ist, gehört meinem Vater. | The car, which is red, belongs to my father. |
| Mein Handy, das ich gestern gekauft habe, ist kaputt. | My phone, which I bought yesterday, is broken. |
| Der Laptop, den ich benutze, ist sehr schnell. | The laptop, which I use, is very fast. |
Describing Places
| German Example | English Example |
|---|---|
| Berlin, das die Hauptstadt ist, hat viele Sehenswürdigkeiten. | Berlin, which is the capital, has many sights. |
| Unser Haus, das am See liegt, ist groß. | Our house, which is by the lake, is big. |
| Die Stadt, in der ich geboren wurde, ist klein. | The city where I was born is small. |
Key Differences from English
German non-defining clauses have some differences compared to English:
- No commas before antecedent: In German, commas appear only around the relative clause, not before the noun.
- No “who/which/that” limitation: German uses the same relative pronouns regardless of clause type. English uses “that” only in defining clauses.
- Verb at the end: The finite verb moves to the end of the relative clause in German.
- Clear agreement: The relative pronoun must agree in gender and number with the antecedent, unlike English which only varies by “who/which/that”.
Example:
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Mein Bruder, der in Berlin wohnt, ist schön. | My brother, who lives in Berlin, is tall. |
| Das Buch, das spannend ist, liegt auf dem Tisch. | The book, which is exciting, is on the table. |
How does the relative pronoun's gender and number agreement in German compare to English?
German pronouns must agree in gender and number; English uses 'who' or 'which' regardless.
German relative pronouns match the antecedent's gender and number (der/die/das), while English uses 'who' for people and 'which' for things without gender distinction.
Common Mistakes
- Omitting commas: Non-defining clauses must be set off by commas in German.
- Mein Bruder der in Berlin wohnt ist Arzt.
- Mein Bruder, der in Berlin wohnt, ist Arzt.
- Using “dass” instead of relative pronouns: Never use “dass” to introduce non-defining clauses.
- Incorrect pronoun case: Make sure the relative pronoun’s case matches its role in the clause (subject, direct object, etc.).
- Overusing “der/die/das” as subjects: Use “den/dem” or other cases when the pronoun is not the subject.
Summary
- Non-defining clauses in German add extra, non-essential information set off by commas.
- Use relative pronouns der, die, das (or welcher, welche, welches) matching the antecedent’s gender, number, and case.
- The verb goes to the end of the relative clause.
- The main sentence remains complete without the non-defining clause.
- Never omit commas around non-defining clauses.
Flashcards (1 of 14)
- English: My brother, who lives in Berlin, is coming tomorrow.
Last updated: Thu Jun 12, 2025
