Modal Verbs in Subordinate Clauses

Level 3

Subordinate clause with a modal: ..., datt ech muer muss schaffen. Both verbs are at the end, and the modal usually comes first.

How It Works

In a main clause the modal verb is in second place and the infinitive is at the end: Ech muss muer schaffen.

In a subordinate clause, the conjugated verb moves to the end as well (verb at the end). So both verbs meet at the end of the clause. Luxembourgish allows two orders there:

  • Modal first, which is very common: Ech weess, datt ech muer muss schaffen.
  • Infinitive first, as in German: Ech wousst net, datt s du esou gutt sange kanns.

Both are correct. If you are unsure, use the modal-first order. Everything else in the clause comes before the two verbs: datt ech muer muss schaffen, not datt ech muss muer schaffen.

Watch the n-rule. The two verbs sit right next to each other, so the n-rule applies between them:

  • kann becomes ka before k: datt ech net ka kommen
  • kënnen keeps its n before h: ob mir hir kënnen hëllefen
  • an infinitive in -en loses its n before a modal: sange kanns, ëmdenke mussen

Separable verbs stay in one piece at the end: well ech muer fréi muss opstoen. For the perfect of a modal in these clauses, see modal perfect in subordinate clauses.

Examples (6)

  1. Ech weess, datt ech muer muss schaffen.

    I know that I have to work tomorrow.

    The modal muss comes first, and the infinitive schaffen follows it.

  2. Et deet mir leed, datt ech net ka kommen.

    I'm sorry that I can't come.

    Kann becomes ka before kommen.

  3. Ech späre mäin Hond an, wann ech muss fortgoen.

    I shut my dog in when I have to go out.

    The separable verb fortgoen stays in one piece after muss.

  4. Ech weess net, ob ech dat soll maachen.

    I don't know whether I should do that.

    Soll comes before the infinitive maachen.

  5. Si freet, ob mir hir kënnen hëllefen.

    She is asking whether we can help her.

    Kënnen keeps its n before h.

  6. Ech wousst net, datt s du esou gutt sange kanns.

    I didn't know you could sing so well.

    This is the other correct order, with the infinitive first and the modal last.

Common Mistakes

  • Keeping the modal in second place, as in a main clause.

    Ech weess, datt ech muss muer schaffen.
    Ech weess, datt ech muer muss schaffen.

    In a subordinate clause both verbs go to the end. Muer comes before them.

  • Forgetting the n-rule between the two verbs.

    Et deet mir leed, datt ech net kann kommen.
    Et deet mir leed, datt ech net ka kommen.

    Kann loses its n before k, so it is written ka kommen.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

Modal Verbs in Subordinate ClausesLevel 3

Learn This First

Before Modal Verbs in Subordinate Clauses, learn Modal Verb and Infinitive and The Verb at the End of Subordinate Clauses.

Words in This Pattern

kënnenmussen