The Verb at the End of Subordinate Clauses
After conjunctions such as datt, well, wann and ob, the conjugated verb goes to the end: Ech weess, datt hatt krank ass (I know that she is ill).
How It Works
The pattern
Conjunction – subject – other parts – conjugated verb:
- datt: Ech weess, datt hatt krank ass.
- well: Mir bleiwen doheem, well et reent.
- wann: Ruff mech un, wann s de doheem bass.
- ob: Ech weess net, ob hien haut kënnt.
Several verb forms at the end
- Perfect: the participle comes first and the helper last: ..., well si fréi opgestanen ass.
- Modal verbs: the modal usually comes before the infinitive: ..., datt ech net ka kommen. See modals in subordinate clauses.
- Separable verbs join up again: ..., well ech fréi opstinn. See separable verbs in subordinate clauses.
The comma
Always write a comma before the subordinate clause, and after it when it comes first.
Starting with the subordinate clause
The whole subordinate clause then counts as the first element, so the main verb comes right after the comma: Wann et reent, bleiwen ech doheem. See subordinate clause first.
With du
After a conjunction, an s is added before du or de: wann s de Zäit hues. See wann s de.
Not every linking word
an, oder and mee only join two main clauses and do not move the verb: Et reent, mee ech ginn eraus. Adverbs such as dofir take first place and put the verb right after them: see dofir and also.
Examples (6)
- Ech weess, datt hatt krank ass.
I know that she is ill.
Word by Word: I know, that she ill is.
Ass goes to the end of the datt clause. Hatt is used for a woman called by her first name.
- Mir bleiwen doheem, well et reent.
We are staying at home because it is raining.
Word by Word: We stay at-home, because it rains.
Reent is the last word of the well clause.
- Ech weess net, ob hien haut kënnt.
I don't know whether he is coming today.
Word by Word: I know not, whether he today comes.
Hien keeps its n before the h of haut.
- Si ass midd, well si fréi opgestanen ass.
She is tired because she got up early.
Word by Word: She is tired, because she early up-stood is.
In the perfect, the participle comes before the helper verb at the end.
- Wann ech muer Zäit hunn, ruffen ech dech un.
If I have time tomorrow, I'll call you.
Word by Word: If I tomorrow time have, call I you on.
The wann clause comes first, so the main verb ruffen follows the comma directly.
- Ech hoffen, datt mir eis muer gesinn.
I hope that we'll see each other tomorrow.
Word by Word: I hope, that we us tomorrow see.
The reflexive pronoun eis comes early and the verb gesinn goes last.
Common Mistakes
Keeping the verb in second place after the conjunction.
Ech weess, datt hatt ass krank.Ech weess, datt hatt krank ass.Datt is a subordinating conjunction, so the conjugated verb ass must move to the end of its clause.
Leaving out the comma.
Ech weess datt hatt krank ass.Ech weess, datt hatt krank ass.The official spelling rules always separate a subordinate clause from the main clause with a comma.
Putting the subject before the main verb after a subordinate clause.
Wann et reent, ech bleiwen doheem.Wann et reent, bleiwen ech doheem.The wann clause is the first element, so the main verb bleiwen must come right after the comma, before the subject.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Before The Verb at the End of Subordinate Clauses, learn The Verb Comes Second.
Related Patterns
- dattThat: Datt
Datt is the most common conjunction that sends the verb to the end.
Level 2 - wellBecause: Well
Well gives a reason and sends the verb to the end.
Level 2 - wannIf and When: Wann
Wann means if or when and sends the verb to the end.
Level 2 - obWhether: Ob
Ob introduces a yes or no question inside a sentence, with the verb at the end.
Level 2 - Starting With a Subordinate Clause
When the subordinate clause comes first, the main verb follows the comma.
Level 3 - Separable Verbs Join Up at the End
At the end of a subordinate clause the separable verb joins up again.
Level 3
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice The Verb at the End of Subordinate Clauses in Bubblegum
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