German Subordinating Conjunctions
Build subordinate clauses with the verb at the end, and start sentences with a subclause like a native speaker.
A subordinating conjunction starts a subordinate clause, and the conjugated verb goes to the very end of that clause. A comma always separates it from the main clause.
The verb goes to the end
- The conjugated verb goes last in the subclause.
- A comma separates main clause and subclause.
- Separable verbs rejoin at the end: dass er anruft.
Ich lerne Deutsch, weil ich in Wien arbeiten möchte.
I'm learning German because I'd like to work in Vienna.
Sie sagt, dass der Zug Verspätung hat.
She says that the train is delayed.
Ich weiß nicht, ob er heute anruft.
I don't know whether he'll call today.
The most common ones
Everyday
- reasonweilbecause
- contentdassthat
- condition, timewennif, when, whenever
- yes/no questionobwhether, if
- contrastobwohlalthough
- past eventalswhen (once, past)
- time beforebevorbefore
- time afternachdemafter
Also useful
- same timewährendwhile
- time limitbisuntil
- sinceseitsince
- purposedamitso that
- resultsodassso that, with the result
- casefallsin case, if
Subclause first: verb, comma, verb
A subclause at the start fills position 1. The main clause then begins with its verb, so two verbs meet at the comma.
Wenn es regnet, bleiben wir zu Hause.
If it rains, we stay at home.
Obwohl sie müde war, ist sie zur Party gegangen.
Although she was tired, she went to the party.
Modals and perfect tense at the end
With a modal or the perfect, the conjugated verb comes after the infinitive or participle. It is normally the very last word.
Er ist nicht gekommen, weil er arbeiten musste.
He didn't come because he had to work.
Ich glaube, dass sie schon gegessen hat.
I think she has already eaten.
Common mistakes
✗
Ich bin müde, weil ich habe schlecht geschlafen.✓ Ich bin müde, weil ich schlecht geschlafen habe.
After weil, the conjugated verb goes last.
✗
Wenn ich Zeit habe, ich komme mit.✓ Wenn ich Zeit habe, komme ich mit.
The subclause is position 1; the verb comes next.
✗
Ich weiß, dass er kann gut kochen.✓ Ich weiß, dass er gut kochen kann.
The modal goes after the infinitive, at the end.
Questions learners ask
Do subordinate clauses always need a comma in German?
Yes. A comma always separates the subordinate clause from the main clause, whether it comes before or after it.
Which conjunctions send the verb to the end?
All subordinating conjunctions do, including weil, dass, wenn, ob, obwohl, als, bevor and nachdem. Und, aber, oder, denn and sondern do not.