Wortstellung im Nebensatz grammar in German

Language: German
Level: A2
Unit: Satzstruktur und Nebensätze
Practice types: 0

What this grammar point covers

In German, the word order in subordinate clauses (Nebensätze) is different from main clauses. The conjugated verb goes to the end of the clause.

When to use it

Use this word order in German when you want to connect two ideas and one depends on the other. Subordinate clauses often start with words like 'weil' (because), 'dass' (that), or 'wenn' (if/when).

Key forms

Subordinate conjunction (e.g. weil, dass, wenn) + subject + other elements + verb at the end
Example: weil ich heute keine Zeit habe

Examples

Ich bleibe zu Hause, weil es regnet.

English: I stay at home because it is raining.

Sie sagt, dass sie morgen kommt.

English: She says that she is coming tomorrow.

Wenn ich Zeit habe, besuche ich dich.

English: If I have time, I visit you.

Er glaubt, dass du das schaffst.

English: He believes that you can do it.

Tips

Always put the conjugated verb at the end of the subordinate clause.
Don't forget to use a comma before the subordinate clause.
Watch out for word order if there are two verbs: the conjugated verb comes last.

Exceptions and edge cases

In spoken German, sometimes the verb order can change for emphasis, but this is not standard.
Some short sentences in informal speech may not follow this rule strictly.