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📝Connecting Sentences - Subordinating Conjunctions
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Connecting Sentences: Subordinating Conjunctions

Introduction​

In this lesson, you'll learn how to connect main and dependent clauses using subordinating conjunctions in German. This is an essential skill for expressing complex ideas and relationships between different parts of a sentence.

Basic Vocabulary​

Health and Fitness Vocabulary​

GermanEnglishPronunciation
gesundhealthy[ɡəˈzʊnt]
fitfit[fɪt]
Sport treibento do sports[ʃpɔʁt ˈtʁaɪ̯bən]
sich bewegento move/exercise[zɪç bəˈveːɡən]
ausgewogenbalanced[ˈaʊ̯sɡəˌvoːɡən]

Understanding Main and Dependent Clauses​

Main Clause (Hauptsatz)​

  • Can stand alone as a complete sentence
  • Contains a conjugated verb in second position
  • Example: "Ich treibe Sport." (I do sports.)

Dependent Clause (Nebensatz)​

  • Cannot stand alone
  • Begins with a subordinating conjunction
  • Contains a conjugated verb at the end
  • Example: "weil ich gesund bleiben möchte" (because I want to stay healthy)
Important Rule

A comma always separates the main clause from the dependent clause in German.

Common Subordinating Conjunctions​

Let's learn four frequently used subordinating conjunctions in German:

  1. dass (that)

    • Used to introduce a fact or statement
    • Example: "Ich glaube, dass Sport wichtig ist." (I believe that exercise is important.)

  2. ob (whether, if)

    • Used for yes/no questions
    • Example: "Ich frage mich, ob ich heute Sport treiben soll." (I wonder if I should exercise today.)

  1. weil (because)

    • Expresses cause or reason
    • Example: "Ich bin müde, weil ich heute viel Sport getrieben habe." (I am tired because I exercised a lot today.)

  2. wenn (whenever, if)

    • Expresses conditions or repeated events
    • Example: "Wenn ich Sport treibe, fühle ich mich besser." (Whenever I exercise, I feel better.)

Word Order in Subordinate Clauses​

Important Rule

In a subordinate clause:

  • The conjugated verb goes to the end
  • If the dependent clause comes first, the main clause begins with the conjugated verb

Examples:​

Example 1: Weil ich gesund bleiben möchte, treibe ich regelmäßig Sport.
Translation: Because I want to stay healthy, I exercise regularly.

Example 2: Ich treibe regelmäßig Sport, weil ich gesund bleiben möchte.
Translation: I exercise regularly because I want to stay healthy.

Separable Prefix Verbs in Subordinate Clauses​

Grammar Tip

When using separable prefix verbs in a subordinate clause, the prefix stays with the verb at the end.

Examples:​

Example 1: Ich fühle mich besser, wenn ich aufstehe und Sport treibe.
Translation: I feel better when I get up and exercise.

Example 2: Wenn ich aufstehe und Sport treibe, fühle ich mich besser.
Translation: When I get up and exercise, I feel better.

Indirect Questions​

Indirect questions are formed using interrogative pronouns that function like subordinating conjunctions. The conjugated verb goes to the end.

Common Interrogative Pronouns:​

  • was (what)
  • wann (when)
  • wo (where)
  • wie (how)
  • warum (why)

Examples:​

Example 1: Ich frage mich, wie ich fitter werden kann.
Translation: I wonder how I can get fitter.

Example 2: Ich weiß nicht, wann ich Zeit zum Sport treiben habe.
Translation: I don't know when I have time to exercise.

Extended Study​

Let's dive deeper into the concepts of subordinating conjunctions and sentence structure in German.

Understanding Main and Dependent Clauses​

Let's start by reviewing the difference between main and dependent clauses in English, which will help us understand how they work in German.

Main Clause (Hauptsatz)​

  • Can stand alone as a complete sentence
  • Contains a conjugated verb in second position
  • Example: "Ich treibe Sport." (I do sports.)

Dependent Clause (Nebensatz)​

  • Cannot stand alone
  • Begins with a subordinating conjunction
  • Contains a conjugated verb at the end
  • Example: "weil ich gesund bleiben möchte" (because I want to stay healthy)
Important Rule

A comma always separates the main clause from the dependent clause in German.

Common Subordinating Conjunctions​

Let's learn four frequently used subordinating conjunctions in German:

  1. dass (that)

    • Used to introduce a fact or statement
    • Example: "Ich glaube, dass Sport wichtig ist." (I believe that exercise is important.)

  2. ob (whether, if)

    • Used for yes/no questions
    • Example: "Ich frage mich, ob ich heute Sport treiben soll." (I wonder if I should exercise today.)

  3. weil (because)

    • Expresses cause or reason
    • Example: "Ich bin müde, weil ich heute viel Sport getrieben habe." (I am tired because I exercised a lot today.)

  4. wenn (whenever, if)

    • Expresses conditions or repeated events
    • Example: "Wenn ich Sport treibe, fühle ich mich besser." (Whenever I exercise, I feel better.)

Word Order in Subordinate Clauses​

Important Rule

In a subordinate clause:

  • The conjugated verb goes to the end
  • If the dependent clause comes first, the main clause begins with the conjugated verb

Examples:​

Example 1: Weil ich gesund bleiben möchte, treibe ich regelmäßig Sport.
Translation: Because I want to stay healthy, I exercise regularly.

Example 2: Ich treibe regelmäßig Sport, weil ich gesund bleiben möchte.
Translation: I exercise regularly because I want to stay healthy.

Separable Prefix Verbs in Subordinate Clauses​

Grammar Tip

When using separable prefix verbs in a subordinate clause, the prefix stays with the verb at the end.

Examples:​

Example 1: Ich fühle mich besser, wenn ich aufstehe und Sport treibe.
Translation: I feel better when I get up and exercise.

Example 2: Wenn ich aufstehe und Sport treibe, fühle ich mich besser.
Translation: When I get up and exercise, I feel better.

Indirect Questions​

Indirect questions are formed using interrogative pronouns that function like subordinating conjunctions. The conjugated verb goes to the end.

Common Interrogative Pronouns:​

  • was (what)
  • wann (when)
  • wo (where)
  • wie (how)
  • warum (why)

Examples:​

Example 1: Ich frage mich, wie ich fitter werden kann.
Translation: I wonder how I can get fitter.

Example 2: Ich weiß nicht, wann ich Zeit zum Sport treiben habe.
Translation: I don't know when I have time to exercise.

Grammar Note

Indirect questions follow the same word order rules as dependent clauses - the conjugated verb goes to the end.

Interactive Practice​

1. Understanding Main and Dependent Clauses​

Which of these is a main clause (Hauptsatz)?

Which of these is a dependent clause (Nebensatz)?

2. Subordinating Conjunctions Practice​

Common Subordinating Conjunctions​

  1. dass (that)
  • Used to introduce a fact or statement
  • Example: "Ich glaube, dass Sport wichtig ist." (I believe that exercise is important.)
  1. ob (whether, if)
  • Used for yes/no questions
  • Example: "Ich frage mich, ob ich heute Sport treiben soll." (I wonder if I should exercise today.)
  1. weil (because)
  • Expresses cause or reason
  • Example: "Ich bin müde, weil ich heute viel Sport getrieben habe." (I am tired because I exercised a lot today.)
  1. wenn (whenever, if)
  • Expresses conditions or repeated events
  • Example: "Wenn ich Sport treibe, fühle ich mich besser." (Whenever I exercise, I feel better.)

Using Subordinating Conjunctions in Context​

Health and Fitness Context​

Q: Warum treibst du Sport?
A: Ich treibe Sport, weil ich gesund bleiben möchte.

Daily Routine Context​

Q: Wann fühlst du dich am besten?
A: Ich fühle mich am besten, wenn ich regelmäßig Sport treibe.

Grammar Notes​

Word Order Rules
  • Main clause: conjugated verb in second position
  • Dependent clause: conjugated verb at the end
  • When dependent clause comes first, main clause starts with conjugated verb
Grammar Tips
  • Remember that separable prefix verbs stay together at the end of dependent clauses
  • Indirect questions follow the same word order rules as dependent clauses
  • Common subordinating conjunctions: dass, ob, weil, wenn

Practice Exercises​

1. Speaking Practice​

  • Create sentences using each subordinating conjunction
  • Practice forming indirect questions
  • Combine main and dependent clauses in different orders

2. Writing Practice​

Write sentences about health and fitness using:

  • dass
  • ob
  • weil
  • wenn
  • Indirect questions

3. Listening Practice​

  • Listen to sentences with different subordinating conjunctions
  • Identify the main and dependent clauses
  • Note the word order in each clause

Vocabulary List​

GermanEnglishExample
regelmäßigregularIch treibe regelmäßig Sport
ausgewogenbalancedIch ernähre mich ausgewogen
BewegungmovementBewegung ist wichtig für die Gesundheit
ErnährungnutritionEine gesunde Ernährung ist wichtig

Cultural Notes​

Cultural Insight

In German-speaking countries:

  • Regular exercise and outdoor activities are very popular
  • Many people belong to sports clubs (Sportvereine)
  • Cycling and hiking are common forms of exercise
  • There's a strong emphasis on work-life balance and maintaining good health

Next Steps​

  • Practice forming complex sentences with subordinating conjunctions
  • Complete the online exercises
  • Move on to the next lesson about Relative Pronouns
  • Review the vocabulary and grammar points
Homework
  1. Create 5 sentences using different subordinating conjunctions
  2. Form 3 indirect questions about health and fitness
  3. Practice word order in sentences with separable prefix verbs
  4. Complete the online exercises