Learning German can be a challenging yet rewarding endeavor. One of the key aspects that often confuses learners is the use of subordinating conjunctions. These are essential for constructing complex sentences and expressing nuanced ideas. Understanding subordinating conjunctions in German grammar can significantly improve your fluency and comprehension.
What Are Subordinating Conjunctions?
Subordinating conjunctions are words that connect a subordinate clause (Nebensatz) to a main clause (Hauptsatz). The subordinate clause provides additional information but cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. In English, examples of subordinating conjunctions include “because,” “although,” and “when.” Similarly, German has its own set of subordinating conjunctions that perform this crucial function.
Common Subordinating Conjunctions in German
Here is a list of some common subordinating conjunctions in German, along with their English equivalents:
– **weil** (because)
– **dass** (that)
– **obwohl** (although)
– **wenn** (if, when)
– **als** (when, as)
– **bevor** (before)
– **nachdem** (after)
– **während** (while)
– **ob** (whether, if)
– **sobald** (as soon as)
– **solange** (as long as)
– **seit** (since)
Examples in Sentences
Understanding these conjunctions is easier when you see them in action. Here are some examples:
1. **Weil**:
– Ich bleibe zu Hause, weil es regnet. (I am staying home because it is raining.)
2. **Dass**:
– Ich weiß, dass du müde bist. (I know that you are tired.)
3. **Obwohl**:
– Er kam zur Arbeit, obwohl er krank war. (He came to work although he was sick.)
4. **Wenn**:
– Wenn ich Zeit habe, besuche ich dich. (If I have time, I will visit you.)
5. **Als**:
– Als ich ein Kind war, spielte ich viel draußen. (When I was a child, I played outside a lot.)
6. **Bevor**:
– Wir müssen gehen, bevor es dunkel wird. (We have to leave before it gets dark.)
7. **Nachdem**:
– Nachdem wir gegessen hatten, gingen wir spazieren. (After we had eaten, we went for a walk.)
Word Order in Subordinate Clauses
One of the trickiest aspects of using subordinating conjunctions in German is mastering the word order in subordinate clauses. When a subordinating conjunction introduces a clause, the conjugated verb moves to the end of that clause. This is a significant difference from English and requires some practice to get used to.
Examples
Let’s revisit some of the examples to focus on word order:
1. **Weil**:
– Correct: Ich bleibe zu Hause, weil es regnet.
– Incorrect: Ich bleibe zu Hause, weil es regnet ist.
2. **Dass**:
– Correct: Ich weiß, dass du müde bist.
– Incorrect: Ich weiß, dass du bist müde.
3. **Obwohl**:
– Correct: Er kam zur Arbeit, obwohl er krank war.
– Incorrect: Er kam zur Arbeit, obwohl er war krank.
Notice how the conjugated verbs (regnet, bist, war) are placed at the end of their respective clauses.
Position of the Subordinate Clause
In German, a subordinate clause can appear either at the beginning or the end of a sentence. When it appears at the beginning, it is usually followed by a comma, and the main clause begins with the conjugated verb.
Examples
1. **Subordinate Clause at the End**:
– Ich bleibe zu Hause, weil es regnet.
2. **Subordinate Clause at the Beginning**:
– Weil es regnet, bleibe ich zu Hause.
Both sentences mean “I am staying home because it is raining,” but the placement of the subordinate clause changes the structure of the sentence.
Double Conjunctions
German also has double conjunctions that work together to form complex sentences. These pairs are often used to show contrast or conditions.
Examples
1. **Sowohl … als auch** (both … and):
– Ich mag sowohl Kaffee als auch Tee. (I like both coffee and tea.)
2. **Entweder … oder** (either … or):
– Du kannst entweder Wasser oder Saft trinken. (You can drink either water or juice.)
3. **Weder … noch** (neither … nor):
– Er isst weder Fleisch noch Fisch. (He eats neither meat nor fish.)
Special Cases and Exceptions
Although the rules for subordinating conjunctions are generally straightforward, there are always exceptions and special cases in any language. For instance, the word **”wenn”** can mean both “if” and “when,” depending on the context. Similarly, **”seit”** can mean “since” in both a temporal and causal sense.
Examples
1. **Wenn**:
– Temporal: Wenn ich nach Hause komme, rufe ich dich an. (When I come home, I will call you.)
– Conditional: Wenn ich genug Geld habe, kaufe ich ein Auto. (If I have enough money, I will buy a car.)
2. **Seit**:
– Temporal: Seit ich hier wohne, habe ich viele Freunde gefunden. (Since I have lived here, I have made many friends.)
– Causal: Seit du es gesagt hast, bin ich vorsichtig. (Since you said it, I have been careful.)
Practice Makes Perfect
The best way to get comfortable with subordinating conjunctions is through practice. Try to incorporate them into your daily German conversations or writing. Here are some exercises to help you get started:
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
Complete the following sentences with the appropriate subordinating conjunction:
1. Ich gehe ins Bett, ______ ich müde bin. (weil, dass, obwohl)
2. Er sagt, ______ er kommt morgen. (weil, dass, obwohl)
3. ______ du gehst, müssen wir reden. (Weil, Dass, Bevor)
4. Wir bleiben hier, ______ das Wetter schlecht ist. (weil, dass, obwohl)
5. ______ es regnet, gehen wir spazieren. (Weil, Dass, Obwohl)
Exercise 2: Sentence Transformation
Rewrite the following sentences by placing the subordinate clause at the beginning:
1. Ich gehe ins Bett, weil ich müde bin.
2. Er sagt, dass er morgen kommt.
3. Bevor du gehst, müssen wir reden.
4. Wir bleiben hier, obwohl das Wetter schlecht ist.
5. Wir gehen spazieren, obwohl es regnet.
Conclusion
Mastering subordinating conjunctions in German is a crucial step towards achieving fluency. These conjunctions not only help in forming complex sentences but also enable you to express detailed thoughts and ideas. Remember to pay attention to word order and practice regularly. With time and effort, you will find yourself using subordinating conjunctions naturally and correctly in your German conversations.
