AlltagslebenTreffpunkt Deutsch

Sixth Edition

Independent/Dependent Clauses Unlike coordinating conjunctions, which do not change word order in

a sentence, the subordinating conjunctions introduce the dependent clause which places the verb at the end of the clause.

Notice the position of koche in the dependent clause beginning with weil.

Any time a subordinating conjunction is used to start a dependent clause, the verb is placed at the end of the clause.

Independent Independent

Ich gehe ins Restaurant.

Ich koche nicht gern.

Independent Dependent

Ich gehe ins Restaurant,

weil ich nicht gern koche.

Sub.Sub.

Sub. Sub.

Verb Verb

Verb Verb

Subordinating Conjunctions

German English

bevor Before

bis Until

damit So that

obwohl Although

sobald As soon as

weil Because

wenn If, when

The 7 subordinating conjunctions

NOTE: There are many subordinating conjunctions in addition to this list. All have the same effect on word order.

Subordinating Conjunctions The previous example began the sentence with the independent clause:

It is also acceptable to start the sentence with the dependent clause which would appear as follows:

NOTE: The word order in both examples. Regardless if the dependent clause is the 1st or 2nd clause in a sentence, it keeps the same word order. The independent clause, if 1st, places the verb in the 2nd position, and, if 2nd, begins with the verb followed by the subject and other parts of speech.

Independent Dependent

Ich gehe ins Restaurant, weil ich nicht gern koche.

Dependent Independent

Weil ich nicht gern koche, gehe ich ins Restaurant.

Sub. Sub.

Sub. Sub.

Verb Verb

Verb Verb

Subordinating ConjunctionsWith Modal Verbs

If a modal verb is included in a sentence containing a subordinating conjunction it would appear as follows:

Notice now that both verbs are placed at the end of the dependent clause, with the conjugated, modal verb at the very end.

Independent Dependent

Ich gehe ins Restaurant,

weil ich nicht kochen kann.

Subordinating Conjunctions With Separable-prefix Verbs

If the dependent clause includes a separable-prefix verb, it would appear as follows:

The separable-prefix verb anfangen (to begin) is still conjugated but is now NOT separated.

If both a modal verb and separable-prefix verb are included in a clause, the sentence would appear as follows:

The verb durchlesen (to read through) remains in its infinitive form and is placed 2nd to last followed by the conjugated, modal verb.

Independent Dependent

Ich stehe früh auf,

weil meine Vorlesung um 8 Uhr anfängt.

Independent Dependent

Ich stehe früh auf,

weil ich mein Referat durchlesen muss.

Subordinating conjunction “Wenn”Wenn ich krank bin……..

The separable-prefix verb anfangen (to begin) is still conjugated but is now NOT separated.

Independent Dependent

Ich nehme Medizin,

wenn ich nur zu husten anfange.

Independent Dependent

Ich ruhe mich aus,

wenn…….