
Also, “wenn” is a conjunction, and therefore it connects to sentences with each other. In the case of “wenn” the verb also goes to the end, the same way, as we have discussed it for “als” in the previous paragraph. The reason why people confuse “wenn” and “als” is that both of them can have the meaning of “when” in English.
How to use the German word “Wenn”?
With the help of the German word “wenn” we can express a condition in a sentence. Also, “wenn” is a conjunction, and therefore it connects to sentences with each other. In the case of “wenn” the verb also goes to the end, the same way, as we have discussed it for “als” in the previous paragraph.
Does the conjunction deshalb send the verb to end?
The conjunction deshalb, meaning 'therefore' or 'so' is an exception and does not send the verb to the end. It is the first idea in a clause, so the verb - the second idea - must come next.
When to send the verb to the end in German?
So, the main point to remember is after a subordinate clause (one of the above words), the verb is always sent to the end. But wait, did you notice another pattern emerging in some of the above examples? You can see another curious quirk of the German language that doesn’t occur English. Can you see it in the examples for seit and wenn?
Why is the verb sent to the end of the clause?
It’s the main reason why the verb is sent to the end of the clause. The grammatical term for the word is a “subordinate conjunction” as it conjoins the two clauses. Subordinate conjunctions are words which send the verb to the end, whether in a subordinate clause or not.

What German words send verbs to end?
German Subordinating Conjunctions and Sending the Verb to the EndAls.Bevor.Bis.Dass.Damit.Ob.Obwohl.Seit.More items...•
Does the verb go at the end in German?
The verb is always the second element in a German sentence. With compound verbs, the second part of the verb goes last, but the conjugated part is still second. German sentences are usually "time, manner, place." After a subordinate clause / conjunction, the verb goes last.
Does Nachdem send verb end?
(nachdem is the sub. conjunction, and hat must go to the end.) → However, when a double infinitive construction is involved, the conjugated verb form precedes the two infinitives. The double infinitive always goes to the end of the clause or sentence.
How do you use WENN?
With the help of the German word “wenn” we can express a condition in a sentence. Also, “wenn” is a conjunction, and therefore it connects to sentences with each other. In the case of “wenn” the verb also goes to the end, the same way, as we have discussed it for “als” in the previous paragraph.
Where do verbs go in German?
The verb in German can be in the second position (most common), initial position (verb first), and clause-final position. The most basic word order in German, just like in English, is the subject-verb-direct object sequence: Your browser does not support the audio element. Die Zwerge lieben die junge Prinzessin.
What kind of conjunction is Nachdem?
2- German Subordinating Conjunctions ChartbevorbeforenachdemafterehebeforeSeit, seitdemsincewährendwhile; during18 more rows•Jan 16, 2020
What is Nachdem?
Nachdem is a subordinate clause conjunction. Its translation "after doing something.." already indicates that there must be a difference in tense between the action of the subordinate clause that precedes the action of the main clause.
Does Danach change word order?
"Dann" may have the connotation of an "if he likes/if he wants" condition. Both mean basically the same, only the point of view is changed. "Danach" does not include the "in dem Fall" connotation. It defines a sequence.
When German verbs end a sentence?
When you have two verbs in a German sentence, you place the conjugated verb in the second position and the unconjugated verb at the end of the sentence. Note – A conjugated verb is a verb that changes to indicate the gender, tense, number, person or other aspects of the sentence.
How are German sentences structured?
Standard German sentence structure: SUBJECT + VERB + MORE NOUNS + MORE VERBS. The 2nd pattern (inverted) very simply swaps around the SUBJECT and VERB, primarily when asking a YES / NO question: VERB + SUBJECT + MORE NOUNS + MORE VERBS.
What is a compound verb form?
In this form, a verb combines with another verb called a helping, or auxiliary, verb. Common helping verbs are have, has, had, am, be, been, is, are, was, or were, and modal helping verbs include can, could, may, should, and will. Together with another verb, they form a compound verb.
Which are subordinate clauses?
Words that begin subordinate clauses They can also begin with relative pronouns such as that, which, who, whom, whichever, whoever, whomever, and whose. Spotting these words can tip you off that you are dealing with a subordinate clause rather than a main clause.
What grammar topic can even the most advanced German speakers still struggle with?
Here’s my back to basics guide for a grammar topic which even the most advanced German speakers can still struggle with: subordinate conjunctions.
When to invert subject and verb after comma?
So that’s one other rule you need to remember with subordinate clauses—you need to invert your subject and your verb after a comma. Put simply, the word order when two clauses come together is usually: verb comma verb. If you write a verb with a comma after it, more often than not you will also need another verb right after the comma.
What is the position of the verb in the subordinate clause?
One thing which always stumps beginners is the position of the verb in the subordinate clause. if we use the example weil ich krank bin we can see that the verb—in this case ist (is)—is at the end of the clause. This means, if we were to translate the sentence literally, the English would read as “I need to sleep because I ill am.” But of course this isn’t how we would translate it.
What is the main point to remember after a subordinate clause?
So, the main point to remember is after a subordinate clause (one of the above words), the verb is always sent to the end.
Which clause comes first in a sentence?
In both sentences the subordinate clause comes first. Nothing really changes—the verb is sent to the end as standard. But then after that, in the main clause, some of the words swap their positions. Yep, the verb moves around again. Let’s take another look:
Is it hard to remember verbs?
Admittedly, it is one of the more difficult grammar topics you will cover. It can be really tricky to remember to send your verbs to the end at first but, after plenty of practice, you’ll eventually find it comes naturally and will be easy to remember.
Can you learn subordinate conjunctions?
Unfortunately, there’s no rule you can learn to help you spot a subordinate conjunction. This list of words is an arbitrary one which you need to really work on to commit to heart. What makes it harder is that there are quite a few subordinate clauses out there. To start you off, I’ve come up with the following useful list of ones you should add to your vocabulary…
2. Learn when to hold the verbs until the end
In German, there are many situations where the verb absolutely has to come at the end of the sentence. This is one of the reasons why German is considered to be such a strange and difficult language.
3. When in German invert you the sentence?
These Yoda-esque inversions are another reason why Germans who are bad at English might say things like “Today can we going to the store?” Any time a temporal adverb or prepositional phrase comes at the beginning of the sentence, the verb has to come in the second position.
4. Putting adverbs in the right word order in German
The basic rule for a German sentence is: Subject, Verb, Indirect Object (dative), Direct Object
Where did the name Weil come from?
The name Weil is believed to come from the Roman name Willa, and so does not mean 'because' in this instance.
Is German word order complicated?
Word order. German word order can seem complicated, but there are set rules. If you learn the rules and follow them, your German will be much more accurate. Part of. German.
Did you know?
Weil am Rhein is the name of a town situated in the Südbaden area in southern Germany.
Why is it important to use conjunctions in German?
It is useful to be able to produce more complex sentences by using a conjunction. Coordinating and subordinating conjunctions used correctly will enhance your German.
Why are subordinating conjunctions so difficult to use?
Subordinating conjunctions are a little more difficult to use, because they subordinate the verb. This means they upset the order of the sentence a little and send the verb to the end of the clause. Here is a list of the most common subordinating conjunctions: als – when (with past tenses) als ob – as if. bevor – before.
What are the most common subordinating conjunctions?
Here is a list of the most common subordinating conjunctions: 1 als – when (with past tenses) 2 als ob – as if 3 bevor – before 4 bis – until 5 da – as, because 6 damit – so that, in order that 7 dass – that 8 nachdem – after, afterwards 9 ob – whether, if 10 obwohl – although 11 seitdem – since 12 so dass – so that 13 während – while 14 weil – because 15 wenn – when (with present tense), if
What is a conjunction in a sentence?
Conjunctions are joining words. They link two clauses to make them into one. Some of them affect the word order: coordinating conjunctions are easy as they do not change the word order. subordinating conjunctions send the verb to the end of the clause.
Is German word order complicated?
German word order can seem complicated, but there are set rules. If you learn the rules and follow them, your German will be much more accurate.
What is a subordinating conjunction?
A subordinating conjunction, on the other hand, sends the conjugated verb all the way to the end. Let's take a look at this in action:
Is "weil" a conjunction?
Weil, on the other hand, only functions as the conjunction 'because.'
Is "hat" a conjugated verb?
Here are the same sentences again. They have the same meaning, but because we are using weil, the conjugated verbs in the second clauses ( hat, ist, hat) are sent to the end of the sentence. Whenever you use weil, you need to be aware of this word order rule.
