Subordinate Clauses (weil, dass, obwohl, wenn, als)

Subordinate clauses (Nebensätze) are a fundamental part of German sentence structure. They allow you to express reasons, opinions, conditions, contrasts, and time relationships. The defining feature of German subordinate clauses is their word order: the conjugated verb moves to the end of the clause.

The Core Rule: Verb Goes to the End

In a German subordinate clause, the conjugated verb is placed at the very end of the clause:

Main clause (verb second)	Subordinate clause (verb last)
Ich bleibe zu Hause.	...weil ich krank bin.
Er sagt etwas.	...dass er kommen wird.

Compare the word order:

Main clause: Subject + Verb + Rest → Ich bin krank.
Subordinate clause: Conjunction + Subject + Rest + Verb → ...weil ich krank bin.

dass (that) — Stating Facts, Opinions, and Reported Information

Dass introduces a clause that describes a fact, belief, statement, or feeling:

Subordinate Clauses (weil, dass, obwohl, wenn, als)

Subordinate Clauses (weil, dass, obwohl, wenn, als)

The Core Rule: Verb Goes to the End

dass (that) — Stating Facts, Opinions, and Reported Information

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