German Subordinate Conjunctions Flashcards
Als
As/when
Du hast oft getanzt, als du jung warst (You often danced when you were young)
Bevor
Before
Ruf mich an, bevor du nach Hause gehst
(Call me before you go home)
Bis
Until
Wir warten, bis du anfängst (We’re waiting until you begin)
Dass
That
Wir hoffen, dass es sich lohnt (We’re hoping that it’s worth it)
Damit
: So that
Ich arbeite, damit ich Geld habe (I work so that I’ll have money)
Ob
Whether/ if
Weißt du, ob es im Angebot ist? (
Do you know if it’s on sale?)
Obwohl
Although
Ich bin müde, obwohl es so früh ist (I’m tired although it’s so early)
Seit
Since
Seit dem Sturm ist das Dach kaputt. (Since the storm the roof has been broken)
Sobald
As soon
Schreibt mir, sobald ihr zu Hause seid (Write to me as soon as you’re home)
Soweit
As far as
Sie ist bei der Arbeit, soweit ich weiß (She is at work as far as I know)
Sowie
As well as, as soon as
Ich liebe Erdnussbutter sowie Marmelade (I love peanut butter as well as jam)
Während
During
Versuch es nochmal, während den Öffnungszeiten (Try again during the opening hours)
Weil
Because
Ich esse Salat, weil es gesund ist (I eat salad because it’s healthy)
Wenn
If
Sag uns Bescheid, wenn du gehst
(Let us know when you go)
Wie
: How
Ich weiß nicht, wie es passiert ist (
I don’t know how it happened)
Wo
Where
Sagt er, wo wir uns treffen sollen?
(Is he telling us where we should meeting?)
what is the Word Order (Main Clause Before Sub-Clause)
The main clause maintains its usual word order.
After the comma comes our subordinate conjunction, and the verb is sent to the end of the sentence.
what is the Word Order (Sub-Clause Before Main Clause)
The verb that should normally be in the second or last position now comes directly after the comma
Example: Seit dem Sturm ist das Dach kaputt (Since the storm, the roof has been broken)
what if Sub-Clauses contains Multiple Verbs
the same rules apply, and the conjugated verb will come at the end of the sentence.
Ich habe keine Zeit. Ich muss noch meine Wohnung aufräumen
what if Sub-Clauses contains a Separable Verbs
the separable prefix is no longer separated.
Wenn du das Fenster aufmachst, wird es hell (If you open the window it’ll be bright)
Infinitive Sub-Clauses
this sentence construction contains the infinitive form of a verb and the preposition zu or um zu.
Ich versuche, die Tür zu öffnen (I’m trying to open the door)
when you use infinitive clauses
When the verb of the main clause is directly related to the verb of the subordinate clause
what happen When the subject of the subordinate clause is irrelevant, or identical to the main clause
You can always use the infinitive + zu construction. But, if you have to mention the subject because multiple people and objects are involved, then you can only use the dass construction.
aufhören
(to stop) always require a second action, so they always take the infinitive + zu form.
stoppen
(to stop)
is averbs always require a second action, so they always take the infinitive + zu form.
beginnen
(to start)is averbs always require a second action, so they always take the infinitive + zu form.
anfangen
(to start) is averbs always require a second action, so they always take the infinitive + zu form.
verbieten
(to forbid)is averbs always require a second action, so they always take the infinitive + zu form.
vergessen
(to forget)is averbs always require a second action, so they always take the infinitive + zu form.
versprechen
(to promise)is averbs always require a second action, so they always take the infinitive + zu form.
versuchen
(to try)is averbs always require a second action, so they always take the infinitive + zu form.
vorhaben
(to have plans)is averbs always require a second action, so they always take the infinitive + zu form.
warnen vor
(to warn against)is averbs always require a second action, so they always take the infinitive + zu form.
sich weigern
(to refuse) is averbs always require a second action, so they always take the infinitive + zu form.
When we use (dass) in infinitive construction
When we express the desire of making us or someone else do something
ex:
Ich will, dass du dein Zimmer aufräumst
(I want you to clean up your room.)
here we express our desire with want
we can also use ( would like )
