Subordinate Clause with "dass"

1. Function

• "dass" is a subordinating conjunction and means that in English.
• It introduces a subordinate clause (Nebensatz).

Example:

• Ich weiß, dass er müde ist. (I know that he is tired.)

2. Word Order

• In a "dass"-clause, the conjugated verb goes to the **end** of the clause.

Example: - Main clause: Er ist müde. (He is tired.) - Subordinate clause: ... dass er müde ist. (... that he is tired.)

3. Structure

[Main clause] + dass + [Subject + Object + ... + Verb at the end]

Examples:

• Ich glaube, dass er nach Dresden kommt (I believe that he is coming to Dresden)
• Sie sagt, dass sie keine Zeit hat (She says that she has no time)
• Wir hoffen, dass das Wetter morgen schön wird (We hope that the weather will be nice tomorrow.)

4. Usage

"dass"-clauses often follow verbs of **thinking, saying, feeling, knowing**. Common verbs:

• glauben,
• meinen,
• wissen,
• sagen,
• hoffen,
• denken,
• finden

5. Position in the Sentence

• "dass" always makes the clause dependent (a subordinate clause).
• If the "dass"-clause comes first, the verb of the main clause follows immediately (inversion).
• Dass er heute kommt, glaube ich nicht (That he is coming today, I do not believe.)

Created: 31 Aug 2025

Last Update: