Overview
In spoken conversations simple main clauses aren't always enough to express what we want to say. So a lot of the time we use "Nebensätze" (subordinate clauses) to add extra information to the sentence.
Sentence structure
Subordinate clauses cannot stand on their own. They are dependent on the main clause because they give additional information. They are usually introduced by a comma and a linking word (conjunction)
Types
- sentences with dass (that)
- sentences with obwohl (although)
- sentences with da (because / since - formal)
- sentences with weil (because / since - neutral)
- sentences with deshalb (therefore / that’s why)
- sentences with Es wäre gut, wenn (It would be good if)
- sentences with Falls (in case)
Word order rule
In contrast to main clauses, the verb in subordinate clauses comes at the end.
Two main clauses:
Main and subordinate clause:
Subordinate clauses begin with conjunctions like "ob" (if), "weil" (because) or "dass" (that), the verb goes to the end and the rest of the words usually remain in the same order.
You can recognise a subordinate clause by looking at the word that introduces it, and by the fact that it can't stand alone. A subordinate clause gives extra information, but it only makes sense in the context of the main clause of the sentence.
Created: 06 Nov 2022
Last Update: 31 Aug 2025