ob
Whether (Ob)
Use ob when you want to say 'whether' or 'if' in an indirect question. It always moves the conjugated verb to the very end of the sentence.
How It Works
The conjunction ob is essential for reporting questions that don't start with a question word (like wann or warum).
1. When to use it:
Use ob after verbs of uncertainty, inquiry, or doubt (such as fragen, wissen, or zweifeln). It signals that the answer is either 'yes' or 'no'.
- Ich weiß nicht, ob er kommt. (I don't know whether he is coming.)
- Weißt du, ob der Bus schon weg ist? (Do you know if the bus is already gone?)
2. Word Order:
Because ob is a subjunktion, it triggers verb-final word order. The conjugated verb must move to the end of the clause, and a comma must separate the main clause from the ob-clause.
3. Alternatives with 'ob... oder':
You can use ob... oder to present two specific alternatives.
- Es ist egal, ob wir heute oder morgen gehen. (It doesn't matter whether we go today or tomorrow.)
4. Hypothetical Comparisons with 'als ob':
The construction als ob means 'as if'. It is used to describe something that is not real, usually paired with the Konjunktiv II.
- Er tut so, als ob er reich wäre. (He acts as if he were rich.)
5. The 'If' Trap:
English uses 'if' for both conditions and questions. German is stricter:
- Use ob for questions/uncertainty (whether).
- Use wenn for conditions (in the event that).
Examples (4)
- Ich weiß nicht, ob er heute kommt.
I don't know if (whether) he is coming today.
Word by Word: I know not, whether he today comes.
Notice how the verb 'kommt' moves to the very end after 'ob'.
- Kannst du fragen, ob der Zug Verspätung hat?
Can you ask if the train is delayed?
Word by Word: Can you ask, whether the train delay has?
This is an indirect yes/no question introduced by 'fragen'.
- Es ist unsicher, ob wir genug Zeit haben.
It is uncertain whether we have enough time.
Word by Word: It is uncertain, whether we enough time have.
The phrase 'Es ist unsicher' expresses the doubt that requires 'ob'.
- Sie wollte wissen, ob du Tee oder Kaffee möchtest.
She wanted to know if you would like tea or coffee.
Word by Word: She wanted know, whether you tea or coffee would-like.
Even with choices (tea or coffee), 'ob' is used because it's an indirect question.
Common Mistakes
Using 'wenn' instead of 'ob' for indirect questions.
Ich weiß nicht, wenn er Zeit hat.Ich weiß nicht, ob er Zeit hat.In German, 'wenn' is only for conditions (if/whenever). For 'whether', you must use 'ob'.
Placing the verb in the second position instead of the end.
Frag ihn, ob er hat Hunger.Frag ihn, ob er Hunger hat.'Ob' is a subordinating conjunction, so the conjugated verb 'hat' must go to the end of the clause.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To use 'ob' correctly, you need to understand how to form basic yes/no questions, as 'ob' serves as the indirect equivalent of these questions. Additionally, since 'ob' is a subordinating conjunction, you must be familiar with the 'verb-final' word order used in German subordinate clauses, which is also seen in patterns like 'dass' or 'weil'.
Related Patterns
- wennIf/When (Wenn)
'Wenn' is often confused with 'ob'; 'wenn' is for conditions, while 'ob' is for indirect questions.
Level 2 - Verb-Final In Subordinate Clauses
'Ob' follows the standard rules for subordinate clauses where the verb moves to the end.
Level 2 - Embedded Questions
'Ob' is the primary way to form indirect yes/no questions.
Level 3 - wissen / kennenWissen vs. Kennen
'Wissen' is the verb most commonly paired with 'ob' clauses to express a lack of knowledge.
Level 2 - als obAs if (Als Ob)
'Als ob' is a specific construction used for hypothetical comparisons, often requiring the Konjunktiv II.
Level 4
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice ob in Bubblegum
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