German subordinate clauses are an essential part of the German language’s syntax. They play a crucial role in constructing complex sentences and conveying specific meanings. Understanding how subordinate clauses function and how they are structured is fundamental for beginner learners of German. In this comprehensive explanation, we will delve into the world of German subordinate clauses, providing clear explanations and examples to aid your understanding.
What is a Subordinate Clause?
Before diving into the intricacies of German subordinate clauses, let’s first define what a subordinate clause is. In general, a subordinate clause is a dependent clause that cannot stand alone as a complete sentence but relies on a main clause to convey a complete thought. The main clause, on the other hand, can stand independently as a complete sentence. Subordinate clauses typically add additional information or provide more detail to the main clause.
Types of Subordinate Clauses in German
There are several types of subordinate clauses in German, each serving a distinct purpose in sentence construction. Let’s explore the most common types:
Temporal Clauses (Zeitklauseln): Temporal clauses express when an action takes place in relation to the main clause. They are introduced by subordinating conjunctions such as “als” (when), “bevor” (before), “nachdem” (after), or “während” (while). For example:
Ich gehe ins Kino, wenn es regnet. (I go to the cinema when it rains.)
Bevor ich zur Arbeit gehe, frühstücke ich. (Before I go to work, I have breakfast.)
Causal Clauses (Kausalklauseln): Causal clauses establish a cause-and-effect relationship between the main clause and the subordinate clause. They are introduced by subordinating conjunctions like “weil” (because), “da” (since), or “denn” (for). Here are a few examples:
Ich bin müde, weil ich gestern spät aufgeblieben bin. (I am tired because I stayed up late yesterday.)
Da es regnet, nehmen wir den Regenschirm mit. (Since it’s raining, we’ll take the umbrella with us.)
Conditional Clauses (Bedingungssätze): Conditional clauses express hypothetical situations or conditions. They are introduced by subordinating conjunctions such as “wenn” (if), “falls” (in case), or “sofern” (provided that).
Consider the following examples:
Wenn du kommst, machen wir eine Party. (If you come, we’ll have a party.)
Falls es regnet, bleibe ich zu Hause. (In case it rains, I’ll stay at home.)
Concessive Clauses (Konjessivsätze): Concessive clauses introduce a contrasting or unexpected idea that is contrary to the main clause. They are introduced by subordinating conjunctions like “obwohl” (although), “trotzdem” (nevertheless), or “während” (while). Take a look at the following examples:
Obwohl er viel gelernt hat, hat er die Prüfung nicht bestanden. (Although he studied a lot, he didn’t pass the exam.)
Sie ist müde, aber sie geht trotzdem ins Fitnessstudio. (She is tired, but she still goes to the gym.)
Structure and Word Order in Subordinate Clauses
In German subordinate clauses, the word order differs from that of main clauses. The conjugated verb in a subordinate clause is usually placed at the end of the clause, while the remaining elements are positioned before it. However, it’s important to note that the verb is not always at the end of the clause, as it depends on the type of subordinate clause and the conjunction used.
Let’s examine the word order in different types of subordinate clauses:
Temporal Clauses: In temporal clauses, the verb comes at the end of the clause, and the subject precedes it. The other elements follow the typical word order of subject-object-verb in German. Consider the following examples:
Wenn es regnet, gehe ich ins Kino. (When it rains, I go to the cinema.)
Bevor ich zur Arbeit gehe, dusche ich. (Before I go to work, I shower.)
Causal Clauses: In causal clauses, the conjugated verb is placed at the end, preceded by the subject and other elements following the subject-verb-object word order.
Here are some examples:
Weil ich gestern spät aufgeblieben bin, bin ich müde. (Because I stayed up late yesterday, I am tired.)
Da es regnet, nehmen wir den Regenschirm mit. (Since it’s raining, we’ll take the umbrella with us.)
Conditional Clauses: In conditional clauses, the conjugated verb appears at the end, just like in temporal and causal clauses. The subject and other elements follow the typical word order. Consider these examples:
Wenn du kommst, machen wir eine Party. (If you come, we’ll have a party.)
Falls es regnet, bleibe ich zu Hause. (In case it rains, I’ll stay at home.)
Concessive Clauses: In concessive clauses, the verb is placed at the end of the clause, preceded by the subject and other elements following the subject-verb-object word order. Here are a few examples:
Obwohl er viel gelernt hat, hat er die Prüfung nicht bestanden. (Although he studied a lot, he didn’t pass the exam.)
Sie ist müde, aber sie geht trotzdem ins Fitnessstudio. (She is tired, but she still goes to the gym.)
Note that in certain cases, the verb can be positioned differently in the subordinate clause, especially in short sentences or when using conjunctions like “dass” (that). However, the word order described above is the most common and widely used.
In conclusion, German subordinate clauses play a crucial role in constructing complex sentences by providing additional information and details. They are categorized into different types, including temporal, causal, conditional, and concessive clauses. Understanding the structure and word order in subordinate clauses is essential for beginner learners of German. By grasping these concepts and practicing with various examples, you will enhance your ability to communicate effectively in German and construct more sophisticated sentences.
Quick quiz
Exercise 1:
Choose the correct subordinating conjunction to complete the sentence:
Ich gehe ins Kino __ es regnet.
a) weil
b) obwohl
c) wenn
d) falls
Answer: c) wenn
Explanation: The correct subordinating conjunction to express “when” in this sentence is “wenn.” The sentence translates to “I go to the cinema when it rains.”
Exercise 2:
Select the appropriate subordinating conjunction to complete the sentence:
__ er viel gelernt hat, hat er die Prüfung nicht bestanden.
a) Obwohl
b) Wenn
c) Bevor
d) Weil
Answer: a) Obwohl
Explanation: The sentence expresses a contrasting idea, indicating that despite studying a lot, he didn’t pass the exam. The correct subordinating conjunction to convey this contrast is “obwohl,” which means “although.”
Exercise 3:
Choose the correct subordinating conjunction to complete the sentence:
Bevor ich zur Arbeit gehe, __ ich.
a) dusche
b) frühstücke
c) laufe
d) esse
Answer: b) frühstücke
Explanation: The correct subordinating conjunction to express “before” in this sentence is “bevor.” The sentence translates to “Before I go to work, I have breakfast.”
Exercise 4:
Select the appropriate subordinating conjunction to complete the sentence:
__ es regnet, nehmen wir den Regenschirm mit.
a) Weil
b) Da
c) Wenn
d) Falls
Answer: b) Da
Explanation: The sentence indicates that the action of taking the umbrella is a consequence of it raining. The appropriate subordinating conjunction in this context is “da,” which means “since” or “because.”
Exercise 5:
Choose the correct subordinating conjunction to complete the sentence:
Wenn du kommst, __ wir eine Party.
a) machen
b) gehen
c) sehen
d) essen
Answer: a) machen
Explanation: The correct subordinating conjunction to express “if” in this sentence is “wenn.” The sentence translates to “If you come, we’ll have a party.”
Exercise 6:
Select the appropriate subordinating conjunction to complete the sentence:
__ es regnet, bleibe ich zu Hause.
a) Weil
b) Da
c) Wenn
d) Falls
Answer: d) Falls
Explanation: The sentence suggests that staying at home is a precautionary measure in case it rains. The appropriate subordinating conjunction in this context is “falls,” which means “in case.”
Exercise 7:
Choose the correct subordinating conjunction to complete the sentence:
__ er viel gelernt hat, hat er die Prüfung bestanden.
a) Obwohl
b) Wenn
c) Bevor
d) Weil
Answer: d) Weil
Explanation: The sentence implies a cause-and-effect relationship, indicating that because he studied a lot, he passed the exam. The correct subordinating conjunction to express this causality is “weil,” which means “because.”
Exercise 8:
Select the appropriate subordinating conjunction to complete the sentence:
__ sie müde ist, geht sie trotzdem ins Fitnessstudio.
a) Obwohl
b) Wenn
c) Bevor
d) Da
Answer: a) Obwohl
Explanation: The sentence introduces a contrasting idea, stating that despite being tired, she still goes to the gym. The appropriate subordinating conjunction to convey this contrast is “obwohl,” which means “although.”
Exercise 9:
Choose the correct subordinating conjunction to complete the sentence:
Ich bin müde, __ ich gestern spät aufgeblieben bin.
a) weil
b) obwohl
c) wenn
d) falls
Answer: a) weil
Explanation: The sentence indicates a cause-and-effect relationship, suggesting that the reason for being tired is staying up late yesterday. The correct subordinating conjunction to express this causality is “weil,” which means “because.”
Exercise 10:
Select the appropriate subordinating conjunction to complete the sentence:
__ du kommst, gehen wir ins Kino.
a) Bevor
b) Obwohl
c) Wenn
d) Da
Answer: c) Wenn
Explanation: The sentence expresses a condition, indicating that if you come, we’ll go to the cinema. The appropriate subordinating conjunction to convey this condition is “wenn,” which means “if.”
By completing these exercises, learners can practice identifying the appropriate subordinating conjunctions for different types of subordinate clauses. The explanations provided for each exercise clarify why certain choices are the correct answers. This reinforcement helps solidify understanding and application of German subordinate clauses.
Originally posted 2023-07-19 04:47:59.