Subordinating conjunctions link a dependent clause (Nebensatz) to a main clause (Hauptsatz). Unlike ADUSO coordinating conjunctions, which leave main-clause word order alone, subordinating conjunctions change where the conjugated verb stands—and always require a comma separating the two clauses.
The Verb-Final Rule (Verbletztstellung)
In a subordinate clause, the conjugated (finite) verb leaves Position 2 and travels to the absolute end of the clause, right before the period or comma:
- Main clause (V2): Ich lerne fleißig. / Ich wohne in Deutschland.
- Subordinate clause with weil: Ich lerne fleißig, weil ich in Deutschland wohne. (I study diligently because I live in Germany.)
What happens when the subordinate clause contains two verbs—such as a modal verb + infinitive, or Perfekt (haben/sein + Partizip II)? The unconjugated verb (infinitive or participle) comes second-to-last, and the conjugated verb stands very last:
- Er lernt Deutsch, weil er in Berlin studieren will. (He is learning German because he wants to study in Berlin. — NOT will studieren)
- Ich bin müde, obwohl ich lange geschlafen habe. (I am tired even though I slept for a long time.)
And with separable prefix verbs, the prefix does not break away at all—it stays glued onto the verb at the end:
- Wir beeilen uns, weil der Zug (der Zug) um acht Uhr abfährt. (We’re hurrying because the train departs at 8 o’clock.)
(The sole advanced exception to verb-final placement occurs in double infinitive constructions at B2, where hat/haben moves in front of two infinitives.)
Key Subordinating Conjunctions
| Conjunction | English Meaning | Example with Noun Articles & Gloss |
|---|---|---|
| weil | because (reason) | Er lernt Deutsch, weil er in Berlin studieren will. (He learns German because he wants to study in Berlin.) |
| dass | that (statement/fact) | Ich weiß, dass du recht hast. (I know that you are right.) |
| ob | whether / if (indirect question) | Sie fragt, ob der Zug (der Zug) pünktlich ist. (She asks whether the train is on time.) |
| obwohl | although / even though | Wir gehen spazieren, obwohl es regnet. (We go for a walk although it is raining.) |
| während | while / whereas | Ich lese ein Buch (das Buch), während er kocht. (I read a book while he cooks.) |
| damit | so that / in order that | Er beeilt sich, damit er den Bus (der Bus) erwischt. (He hurries so that he catches the bus.) |
als vs. wenn vs. wann (Three Ways to Say “When” or “If”)
English uses when and if across overlapping situations, so choosing between als, wenn, and wann is a classic A2 milestone (explored further in Temporal Clauses).
1. als — One Single Event or Period in the Past
Use als exclusively for one completed event or continuous past stage (such as childhood or a trip):
- Als ich ein Kind (das Kind) war, spielte ich viel draußen. (When I was a child, I played outside a lot.)
- Als der Zug (der Zug) ankam, regnete es. (When the train arrived, it was raining.)
2. wenn — Repeated Past Events, Present/Future Time, or Conditions
Use wenn in all three of these situations:
- Repeated events in the past (often paired with immer or jedes Mal):
- Jedes Mal, wenn er kam, brachte er Blumen (Pl., die Blume). (Every time he came, he brought flowers.)
- Present or future time (“whenever / when”):
- Wenn ich Zeit (die Zeit) habe, rufe ich dich an. (When/Whenever I have time, I’ll call you.)
- Conditional “if”:
- Wenn es schneit, fahren wir Ski. (If it snows, we go skiing.)
3. wann (Questions) & ob (Yes/No Uncertainty)
- wann asks about a point in time, both in direct questions (Wann kommst du?) and indirect questions (Ich weiß nicht, wann der Bus kommt).
- ob means whether inside indirect yes/no questions (Sie fragt, ob du mitkommst — never wenn!).
Starting a Sentence with a Subordinate Clause
You can place a Nebensatz before the main clause. Because the entire subordinate clause fills Position 1 of the sentence, the main clause must begin immediately with its conjugated verb—creating the clean Verb-Comma-Verb pattern:
- Weil ich krank bin, bleibe ich heute zu Hause. (Because I’m sick, I’m staying home today.)
- Wenn du Zeit hast, können wir Kaffee trinken. (If you have time, we can grab coffee.)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
| Wrong | Right | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Er lernt Deutsch, weil er in Berlin will studieren. | Er lernt Deutsch, weil er in Berlin studieren will. | In a Nebensatz, the conjugated modal verb (will) goes very last after the infinitive. |
| Wenn ich ein Kind war, spielte ich draußen. | Als ich ein Kind war, spielte ich draußen. | A single past period or one-time past event requires als, not wenn. |
| Sie fragt, wenn der Zug pünktlich ist. | Sie fragt, ob der Zug pünktlich ist. | Indirect yes/no questions use ob (“whether”), not conditional wenn. |
| Weil es regnet, ich bleibe zu Hause. | Weil es regnet, bleibe ich zu Hause. | A leading subordinate clause occupies Position 1, so the main clause starts with its verb. |