Starting With a Subordinate Clause
A subordinate clause at the start counts as the first element. So the main clause starts with its verb: Wann et reent, bleiwen ech doheem.
How It Works
A statement always has its conjugated verb in second place (word order basics). A whole subordinate clause can fill the first place. When it does, the main clause starts with its verb:
- Ech bleiwen doheem, wann et reent. (I stay at home when it rains.)
- Wann et reent, bleiwen ech doheem. (When it rains, I stay at home.)
Verb, comma, verb. The subordinate clause ends with its own verb, as always (verb at the end). After the comma comes the main verb, and then the subject. So two verbs stand side by side: Well hie krank war, ass hien net komm.
This works with all subordinate clauses:
- wann: Wa mer éischter do sinn, hale mer iech eng Plaz fräi.
- well: Well hie krank war, ass hien net komm.
- datt: Datt hien elo auswandert, kann ech mer bal net virstellen.
- ier: Ier mer iessen, wäsche mer eis d'Hänn.
With da. After a wann clause you can add da (then) at the start of the main clause. The verb then comes right after da: Wann s de d'Lueden opméchs, da kënne mer d'Luucht ausloossen. See dann.
The comma. The official spelling always puts a comma after a subordinate clause that starts the sentence.
Examples (6)
- Wann et reent, bleiwen ech doheem.
When it rains, I stay at home.
The main clause starts with its verb bleiwen.
- Well hie krank war, ass hien net komm.
Because he was ill, he didn't come.
War ends the well clause, and ass starts the main clause.
- Wa mer éischter do sinn, hale mer iech eng Plaz fräi.
If we get there earlier, we'll keep a seat free for you.
Wann becomes wa before mer by the n-rule.
- Datt hien elo auswandert, kann ech mer bal net virstellen.
I can hardly imagine that he is emigrating now.
Even a datt clause can come first.
- Ier mer iessen, wäsche mer eis d'Hänn.
Before we eat, we wash our hands.
The main verb wäsche comes straight after the comma.
- Wann s de d'Lueden opméchs, da kënne mer d'Luucht ausloossen.
If you open the shutters, we can switch off the light.
Da starts the main clause, and the verb follows it.
Common Mistakes
Starting the main clause with the subject.
Wann et reent, ech bleiwen doheem.Wann et reent, bleiwen ech doheem.The subordinate clause already fills the first place. The main clause must start with its verb.
Putting the subject before the verb after da.
Wann ech Zäit hunn, da ech kommen.Wann ech Zäit hunn, da kommen ech.Da counts as the first element of the main clause, so the verb comes right after it.
Leaving out the comma.
Wann et reent bleiwen ech doheem.Wann et reent, bleiwen ech doheem.A subordinate clause at the start of a sentence is always followed by a comma.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Before Starting With a Subordinate Clause, learn Putting Something Else First and The Verb at the End of Subordinate Clauses.
Related Patterns
- The Verb Comes Second
The verb-second rule explains why the main verb comes right after the comma.
Level 1 - wannIf and When: Wann
Wann clauses are the ones most often put first.
Level 2 - wellBecause: Well
A reason can come first: Well hie krank war, ...
Level 2 - dannThen: Dann
Da(nn) can start the main clause after a wann clause.
Level 2
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Practice Starting With a Subordinate Clause in Bubblegum
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