A2 · GRAMMAR
Subordinate clauses: weil, dass, wenn, ob
A subordinate clause is a dependent clause that does not make complete sense on its own: '... because I am sick', '... that you are coming'. In German, there is one main rule for subordinate clauses: the conjugated verb goes to the **very end**.
In this lesson
1. Verb at the end
weil, dass, wenn, ob... → the conjugated verb is at the very end.
..., weil ich krank bin.
..., because I am sick.
2. weil = because
Reason. Used more often in speech than denn.
Ich komme nicht, weil ich arbeiten muss.
I am not coming because I have to work.
3. dass = that
A thought, piece of information, or statement.
Ich glaube, dass er recht hat.
I think he is right.
4. wenn = if / when
Condition or repeated time.
Wenn ich Zeit habe, komme ich.
If I have time, I will come.
5. ob / W-word
Indirect questions.
Weißt du, ob er kommt?
Do you know if he is coming?
6. Subordinate clause first
The main clause starts with the verb.
Wenn es regnet, bleiben wir zu Hause.
If it rains, we stay at home.
💡 If there are two verbs in a subordinate clause, the conjugated one goes to the very end: ..., weil ich arbeiten muss. / ..., dass er gekommen ist.