German mod 2 Flashcards
Definition of a clause ?
A clause is a group of words that tells you two things. First, it has a subject: that’s who or what is doing something. Second, it has a predicate: that’s the action the subject is doing.[1]
“They run” is a clause. It tells you the who (they) and the action (run).
“They run to the store” is also a clause. The “action” uses more words, but it’s still one idea.
“My dog is a good boy” is also a clause. The word “is” (or “are”) counts as an “action.”
Definition of a phrase ?
A phrase doesn’t have enough info to be a clause. A clause always tells you that someone (or something) is doing something. If a group of words doesn’t do this, it is a phrase.[2] A phrase only tells us one little thing.
The sentence “After work, my dad cooks dinner” has one phrase and one clause.
The clause is “my dad cooks dinner.” It has a subject (“my dad”) and an action (“cooks dinner”).
The phrase is “After work.” It doesn’t tell us about a subject or an action.
What are conjunctions ?
A conjunction is a part of speech that is used to connect words, phrases, clauses, or sentences. Conjunctions are considered to be invariable grammar particle, and they may or may not stand between items they conjoin.
There are only a few common conjunctions, yet these words perform many functions: They present explanations, ideas, exceptions, consequences, and contrasts. Here is a list of conjunctions commonly used in American English:
And As Because But For Just as Or Neither Nor Not only So Whether Yet
What is a subordinating clause ?
Subordinating conjunctions are parts of speech that join dependent clauses to independent clauses. Sometimes referred to as subordinators or subordinate conjunctions, these important words and phrases may also introduce adverb clauses.
Subordinating conjunctions are essential parts of complex sentences with include at least two clauses, with one of the clauses being main (independent) and the other being subordinate (dependent).
There is only one rule to remember about using subordinate conjunctions:
A subordinate conjunction performs two functions within a sentence. First, it illustrates the importance of the independent clause. Second, it provides a transition between two ideas in the same sentence. The transition always indicates a place, time, or cause and effect relationship. For example: We looked in the metal canister, where Ginger often hides her candy.
In the following examples, the subordinating conjunctions are in bold for easy identification:
‘As’ Sherri blew out the candles atop her birthday cake, she caught her hair on fire.
Sara begins to sneeze ‘whenever’ she opens the window to get a breath of fresh air.
‘When’ the doorbell rang, my dog Skeeter barked loudly.
What are coordinate conjunctions ?
The coordinate conjunctions do not modify the position of the verb in the clause. The most common ones are:
Explain aber with some examples
aber
It means “but”.
Die Hose ist schön, aber zu klein
The pants are pretty but too small
Er ist klug, aber faul
He’s smart but lazy
Das Angebot ist super, aber wir haben keine Zeit
The offer is great but we don’t have time
Explain denn with examples
denn
It means then/because, etc.
Ich weinte, denn ich hatte kein Geld
I cried because I didn’t have money
Synonymns: weil
Explain oder with examples
oder
Means “or”
Ich weiß nicht, ob ich lachen oder weinen soll
I don’t know whether I should laugh or cry
Wer fängt an, du oder ich?
Who starts, you or me?
Explain sondern with examples
sondern
Means “but” or “but rather”
Das Haus ist nicht alt, sondern neu
The house is not old but new
Explain und with examples
und
It means “and”
Meine Freunde und ich wollen ins Kino gehen
My friends and I want to go to the cinema
What are subordinate conjunctions ?
Subordinate conjunctions help to form subordinate clauses. One of the most interesting things about German is that the verb is placed in the last position of the clause in subordinate clauses
What is als ?
als
It means “when” if it is a subordinate conjunction. Careful: It’s used only in the past and when the past event only took place one time (temporal conjunction)
Als ich Kind war, wohnte ich in München
When I was a child, I lived in Munich
“Als” is also used for the construction of the comparative of superiority:
Er ist stärker als ich
He is stronger than me
What is bevor ?
bevor
It means “before” (temporal conjunction to show previous action or event)
Woran denkst du, bevor du einschläfst?
What do you think about before you fall asleep?
What is bis ?
bis
It means “until” (temporal conjunction to show subsequent action or event) “Bis” can act as a subordinate conjunction:
Warte, bis du gesund bist
Wait until you are healthy
or as a preposition:
Bis in den Tod
until death
What is dass ?
dass
It can be translated into English as “that” and is used to start a new subordinate clause.
Ich denke, dass die deutsche Sprache kompliziert ist
I think that the German language is complicated
