Subordinate Clauses with Conjunctions in German

German grammar includes various types of zdania złożone podrzędnie (subordinate clauses), which are essential for constructing complex sentences. This page focuses on subordinate clauses introduced by conjunctions, specifically 'weil' (because) and 'wenn' (if/when).

Vocabulary:

• Weil [vile] = because
• Denn = for (as a coordinating conjunction)
• Wenn = if/when

Example: "Ich bleibe zu Hause, weil ich krank bin." (I'm staying at home because I'm sick.)

This sentence demonstrates the use of 'weil' to introduce a subordinate clause. Notice how the conjugated verb 'bin' moves to the end of the subordinate clause.

Highlight: In German subordinate clauses, the conjugated verb always moves to the end of the clause.

The same meaning can be expressed using 'denn', but the sentence structure changes:

Example: "Ich bleibe zu Hause, denn ich bin krank." (I'm staying at home, for I am sick.)

With 'denn', the word order remains the same as in a main clause because 'denn' is a coordinating conjunction.

The conjunction 'wenn' is used to express conditional or temporal relationships:

Example: "Wenn ich krank bin, gehe ich zum Arzt." (When/If I'm sick, I go to the doctor.)

Example: "Wenn es kalt ist, bleibe ich zu Hause." (When/If it's cold, I stay at home.)

Example: "Wenn ich müde bin, gehe ich schlafen." (When/If I'm tired, I go to sleep.)

These examples showcase how 'wenn' introduces subordinate clauses that can precede or follow the main clause. The verb in the 'wenn' clause always moves to the end.

Definition: Zdania złożone podrzędnie (subordinate clauses) are dependent clauses that cannot stand alone as complete sentences. They provide additional information to the main clause and are introduced by subordinating conjunctions like 'weil' and 'wenn'.

Understanding and practicing these zdania złożone podrzędnie przykłady (examples of subordinate clauses) is crucial for mastering German sentence structure and improving overall language proficiency.