Relative Clause With A Preposition
In German, when a relative clause needs a preposition, that preposition must come before the relative pronoun. The pronoun's gender matches the noun it describes, but its case is dictated by the preposition.
How It Works
Relative clauses with prepositions follow these core mechanics:
1. Word Order: The preposition always moves to the front of the relative clause, immediately before the relative pronoun.
2. Agreement & Case: The pronoun matches the gender/number of the noun it describes, but its case is determined by the preposition (e.g., mit triggers dative).
3. Genitive Prepositions: If using a genitive preposition like wegen or trotz, you must use the genitive relative pronouns (dessen/deren).
Wo-Compounds vs. Preposition + Pronoun: For inanimate objects, you have two options. While wo-compounds (e.g., womit, worüber) are very common in spoken German, the construction of preposition + relative pronoun (e.g., das Haus, in dem...) is equally correct and often preferred in formal or academic writing for precision. Note that if a wo-compound starts with a vowel, an -r- must be inserted (wo + auf = worauf). These compounds are obligatory when the antecedent is an indefinite pronoun like alles, etwas, or nichts. However, genitive prepositions and ohne cannot form wo-compounds.
Examples (5)
- Das ist der Kollege, mit dem ich das Projekt leite.
This is the colleague with whom I lead the project.
Word by Word: That is the colleague, with whom I the project lead.
'Kollege' is masculine singular. 'Mit' requires the dative case, so we use 'dem'.
- Das ist das Haus, in dem ich wohne.
That is the house in which I live.
Word by Word: That is the house, in which I live.
For inanimate objects, 'in dem' is correct, but 'worin' is also common. Since 'wohnen' describes a location, we use the dative case.
- Das ist alles, worauf ich gewartet habe.
That is everything for which I have waited.
Word by Word: That is everything, where-upon I waited have.
When the antecedent is an indefinite pronoun like 'alles', a wo-compound is required. An '-r-' is inserted because 'auf' starts with a vowel.
- Dort sind die Kinder, für die ich Geschenke gekauft habe.
There are the children for whom I bought gifts.
Word by Word: There are the children, for whom I gifts bought have.
'Kinder' is plural. 'Für' always takes the accusative case, so we use the plural accusative relative pronoun 'die'.
- Das ist der Mann, wegen dessen wir zu spät kommen.
That is the man because of whom we are coming late.
Word by Word: That is the man, because-of whose we too late come.
The genitive preposition 'wegen' requires the genitive relative pronoun 'dessen'.
Common Mistakes
Stranding the preposition at the end of the clause (English word order).
Das ist der Mann, den ich mit arbeite.Das ist der Mann, mit dem ich arbeite.In German, the preposition cannot be separated from the relative pronoun. It must appear at the start of the relative clause.
Forgetting the '-r-' insertion in wo-compounds.
Das ist das Thema, woüber wir sprechen.Das ist das Thema, worüber wir sprechen.When forming a wo-compound with a preposition starting with a vowel (like über, auf, an), you must insert an '-r-' for easier pronunciation.
Using a wo-compound for a person.
Der Freund, womit ich spiele...Der Freund, mit dem ich spiele...Wo-compounds can only refer to inanimate objects or abstract concepts. For people, you must always use the preposition + relative pronoun.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To learn relative clauses with prepositions, you first need to be comfortable with basic relative clause structure and word order. Additionally, because the preposition determines the case of the relative pronoun, you must understand how German prepositions (accusative, dative, and two-way) function and how relative pronouns are declined in those cases.
- Relative Pronoun (Dative)
Relative clauses with prepositions frequently use the dative case for the relative pronoun, as many common prepositions require it.
Level 3 - Relative Clause Word Order
The learner must understand the verb-final structure of a standard relative clause before adding the complexity of a preposition.
Level 3 - Two-Way Prepositions
Understanding how prepositions govern case (accusative vs. dative) is essential for correctly marking the relative pronoun.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- der/die/dasRelative Pronoun
This is the foundation for all relative clauses in German.
Level 3 - Verb-Final In Subordinate Clauses
Relative clauses are a type of subordinate clause, meaning the conjugated verb must go to the end.
Level 2 - Extended Wo-Compounds
In casual speech, wo-compounds are often used instead of preposition + pronoun for inanimate objects.
Level 3 - Fixed Verb-Preposition Combinations
Many relative clauses are formed based on verbs that require specific prepositions.
Level 3
Practice Relative Clause With A Preposition in Bubblegum
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