German subordinate clauses

German subordinate clauses are used to give additional information about the main part of the sentence . This allows us to expand upon an idea, and give more information. When both a main clause and a subordinate clause appear in a sentence this is known as a complex sentence. . While the ‘main clause’ can stand on it’s own, a subordinate clause always has to pair with a main clause . A complex sentence (Satzgefüge) is formed by a main clause (Hauptsatz) and a subordinate clause (Nebensatz).

Here’s an example of how a subordinate clause gives us vital information :

Types of subordinate clause constructions :

1. Subordinate clauses with a conjunction :

• Common subordinate clauses
• Infinitive subordinate clause

2. Subordinate clauses without a conjunction :

• Relative Clauses
• Subordinate clauses from the “Konjunktiv I” without dass

Subordinating conjunctions are some of the most common words you’ll encounter in the German language. There are words such as :

• als = when (the past)
• dass = that
• ob = if / whether
• obwohl = although
• während = while
• wenn = if
• weil = because

The question words also act as subordinating conjunctions :

• was = what
• wie = how
• warum = why
• wann = when
• wer = who

Infinitive Subordinate Clauses :

Infinitive subordinate clauses are characterized by not having a subject. The subject is understood by the information in the main clause. The subject that is omitted from the subordinate clause can be either the main clause’s subject or its direct/indirect object or another that is understood to be there .

Infinitive Subordinate Conjunctions are :

• anstatt zu
• außer zu
• statt zu
• ohne zu
• um zu
• zu

German Subordinate Clauses with Multiple Verbs :

This sentence is a little trickier because we have 2 verbs in the subordinate clause, sollen and sagen. Without the subordinating conjunction the word order would be :

But because we have a subordinating conjunction before it, the conjugated verb (sollen = soll) which would normally be in position 2 , goes to the very end , beyond the other unconjugated verb (sagen) :

Inverting the Subordinate Clauses :

Sometimes , more importance is given to the subordinate clause and therefore it comes first :

It should be emphasized that the subordinate clause now occupies the first position in the sentence, which makes the subject move to the 3rd position so that the verb stays in the second position.

So now you know the what German subordinate clauses are and how to form correct sentences with them .