Giving Reasons: Using 'because' (weil)
weil to give reasons, but remember to kick the conjugated verb to the very end of the clause.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'weil' to explain why, but remember: the verb must jump to the very end of the clause!
- Weil introduces a subordinate clause: 'Ich lerne, weil ich Deutsch mag.'
- The conjugated verb always moves to the end of the 'weil' clause.
- A comma must separate the main clause from the 'weil' clause.
Overview
Weil is the German equivalent of "because," a fundamental conjunction for expressing causality and providing reasons. At the B1 level, mastering weil is crucial for constructing more complex and logical sentences, allowing you to articulate justifications, explanations, and motivations with precision. It signifies a pivotal step in developing conversational fluency and analytical expression in German.
Grammatically, weil is a subordinating conjunction (Subjunktion). This means it introduces a subordinate clause (Nebensatz), which is a dependent clause that cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. The most distinctive feature of a German subordinate clause introduced by weil is its verb-final word order.
The conjugated verb of the weil-clause is always positioned at the very end of that clause. This structural characteristic is a hallmark of German syntax, distinguishing it sharply from English sentence construction.
This verb-final placement is not arbitrary. It reflects a deeper linguistic principle in German, where the main communicative weight of a clause, often the action or state described by the verb, is presented after all contextual details have been laid out. This allows for clear, unambiguous communication, especially in lengthier or more intricate explanations.
It builds a momentary suspense, requiring the listener or reader to process the full scope of the reason before the action is finalized. Understanding this underlying logic helps in internalizing the rule rather than simply memorizing it. For instance, Ich lerne Deutsch, weil ich in Deutschland wohnen möchte. (I am learning German because I would like to live in Germany.) Here, the desire to live in Germany is fully presented before the action (wohnen) and its modal framing (möchte) are confirmed.
How This Grammar Works
weil, you are connecting a main clause (Hauptsatz), which presents an outcome or statement, with a subordinate clause that provides the reason for that outcome or statement. The structure is consistently: Main Clause + , + weil + Subordinate Clause (Subject + ... + Conjugated Verb).Ich habe Hunger. (I am hungry.) If you want to explain why you are hungry, you introduce a weil-clause. The verb habe (from haben) would normally be in the second position in a main clause. However, once weil introduces a subordinate clause, habe moves to the very end: Ich esse, weil ich Hunger habe. (I am eating because I am hungry.) The main clause Ich esse states the action, and the weil-clause weil ich Hunger habe provides the reason.habe is "kicked" to the final position.- With Modal Verbs: The conjugated modal verb moves to the end, while the main verb remains in its infinitive form directly before it. Example:
Sie kann nicht kommen, weil sie noch arbeiten muss.(She cannot come because she still has to work.) Here,muss(conjugatedmüssen) is final, preceded byarbeiten(infinitive). - With Perfect Tense: The conjugated auxiliary verb (
habenorsein) moves to the end, while the past participle precedes it. Example:Er ist müde, weil er die ganze Nacht geschlafen hat.(He is tired because he slept the whole night.) Here,hat(conjugatedhaben) is final, preceded bygeschlafen(past participle). - With Passive Voice: The conjugated form of
werden(to become) moves to the end, preceded by the past participle. Example:Die Tür wurde geöffnet, weil sie nicht abgeschlossen war.(The door was opened because it was not locked.) Here,war(conjugatedsein, as passive withseincan occur) is final, preceded byabgeschlossen.
Formation Pattern
weil involves a predictable and precise structure. This consistency makes it easier to apply the rule once you understand the basic sequence. The core pattern combines a complete main clause with a weil-initiated subordinate clause, always with the conjugated verb at its conclusion.
Hauptsatz): This is an independent sentence that expresses the primary idea or outcome. Its verb will be in the second position, following typical German main clause word order.
Ich bleibe zu Hause. (I am staying at home.)
weil-clauses.
Ich bleibe zu Hause,
weil and the Subordinate Clause Subject: After the comma, add weil, followed by the subject of your subordinate clause.
Ich bleibe zu Hause, weil ich...
Ich bleibe zu Hause, weil ich krank bin. (I am staying at home because I am sick.)
weil-Clause Elements | Full Sentence (weil + Verb-final) |
Sie liest ein das Buch. | ...weil sie langweilig ist. | Sie liest ein das Buch, weil sie langweilig ist. |
Er muss lernen. | ...weil er eine die Prüfung haben wird. | Er muss lernen, weil er eine die Prüfung haben wird. |
Wir haben gegessen. | ...weil wir Hunger hatten. | Wir haben gegessen, weil wir Hunger hatten. |
Ich stehe früh auf. | ...weil ich einen der Termin habe. | Ich stehe früh auf, weil ich einen der Termin habe. |
Er wollte nicht arbeiten gehen. | ...weil er müde war. | Er wollte nicht arbeiten gehen, weil er müde war. |
trennbare Verben): A common point of confusion. In a main clause, separable verbs split, with the prefix going to the end (Ich rufe dich an.). In a weil-clause, the prefix and the verb reunite and the conjugated form moves together to the end of the clause. Example: Ich rufe ihn an, weil ich ihn anrufen muss. (I'm calling him because I have to call him.) The prefix an- stays with rufen as the infinitive, and the modal muss is at the very end.
Er wartet, weil er auf den der Bus wartet. (He is waiting because he is waiting for the bus.)
When To Use It
Weil is your indispensable tool in German for answering the question "Warum?" (Why?). It establishes a clear cause-and-effect relationship, providing the fundamental reason behind an action, state, or event. Its usage is pervasive across all registers of German communication, from casual conversation to formal academic discourse.weil is used:- Explaining Actions and Decisions: Any time you need to justify why someone did something or why a particular decision was made,
weilis the correct choice. Wir fahren in den der Urlaub, weil wir uns erholen wollen.(We are going on vacation because we want to relax.)Ich kaufe dieses das Buch, weil es sehr interessant aussieht.(I am buying this book because it looks very interesting.)
- Providing Reasons for States or Feelings: When expressing emotions, conditions, or opinions,
weilconnects them directly to their underlying cause. Sie ist glücklich, weil sie ihre die Familie besucht hat.(She is happy because she visited her family.)Der der Kaffee schmeckt gut, weil er frisch gemahlen wurde.(The coffee tastes good because it was freshly ground.)
- Responding to Direct Questions:
Weilclauses are the natural way to respond to questions posed withWarum?orWieso?(Why?). - "Warum lernst du Deutsch?" (Why are you learning German?)
- "Ich lerne Deutsch, weil ich in Deutschland studieren möchte."
- Establishing Logical Connections: In more complex arguments or explanations,
weillinks premises to conclusions, forming a logical chain of thought. Die die Wirtschaft wächst, weil die die Nachfrage nach die Produkten gestiegen ist.(The economy is growing because the demand for products has increased.)
weil from deshalb or darum (therefore, that's why). While both convey causality, they do so from opposite perspectives. Weil introduces the reason, leading to an outcome. Deshalb introduces an outcome, following a stated reason. For example:- Reason First (
weil):Ich bin müde, weil ich gestern spät ins Bett gegangen bin.(I am tired because I went to bed late yesterday.) - Outcome First (
deshalb):Ich bin müde; deshalb gehe ich jetzt ins Bett.(I am tired; therefore, I am going to bed now.) Note thatdeshalbis a conjunctive adverb, meaning it causes inversion (verb-subject) in the clause it introduces if it starts the clause. It connects two independent clauses, often requiring a semicolon or a period between them.
Weil is fundamentally about explaining why something is the case, making it an indispensable component for any learner aiming for sophisticated communication in German.Common Mistakes
weil, often due to the direct transfer of English grammatical structures or overlooking the strict rules of German subordinate clauses. Awareness of these pitfalls is the first step toward correcting them.- 1Incorrect Verb Position (The "English Brain" Error): This is by far the most common mistake. Learners often place the conjugated verb in the second position within the
weil-clause, mirroring English sentence structure, instead of moving it to the end.
- Incorrect:
Ich gehe nicht nach draußen, weil ich bin krank.(The conjugated verbbinis in the second position.) - Correct:
Ich gehe nicht nach draußen, weil ich krank bin.(The conjugated verbbinis at the end.)
- 1Missing or Incorrect Comma: German grammar strictly requires a comma before all subordinate clauses, including those introduced by
weil. Forgetting this comma is a common error.
- Incorrect:
Er kommt nicht weil er viel Arbeit hat.(Missing comma beforeweil.) - Correct:
Er kommt nicht, weil er viel die Arbeit hat.
- 1Misplacement of Separable Verbs: As discussed, separable verbs reunite in subordinate clauses, with the entire verb unit (prefix + stem) moving to the end, where the stem is conjugated. Learners sometimes separate them or place the prefix elsewhere.
- Incorrect:
Ich kaufe ein das Ticket, weil ich mit dem der Zug abfahre.(Separable prefixab-incorrectly placed.) - Correct:
Ich kaufe ein das Ticket, weil ich mit dem der Zug abfahre.(The entireabfahreunit is at the end.)
- 1Confusion with
denn: Whiledennalso means "because" or "for," it is a coordinating conjunction (nebenordnende Konjunktion). This means it connects two independent main clauses. Crucially,denndoes not trigger verb-final word order; the clause followingdennmaintains typical main clause (verb-second) word order.
- Incorrect:
Ich bin müde, denn ich gestern spät ins Bett gegangen bin.(Verb-final afterdenn.) - Correct:
Ich bin müde, denn ich bin gestern spät ins Bett gegangen.(Verbbinis in the second position afterdenn.)
Denn is slightly more formal or literary than weil and cannot begin a sentence. Learners often use denn expecting weil's grammar, or vice-versa, leading to errors.- 1Confusion with
da:Dacan also mean "because" and is a subordinating conjunction, just likeweil, meaning it does send the conjugated verb to the end of its clause. However,daoften implies that the reason is already known or self-evident to the listener, or it is used when the reason is presented first (as the initial clause of the sentence) and the main clause is secondary. It carries a slightly more formal or established tone.
Da es regnet, bleibe ich zu Hause.(Since it is raining, I am staying at home.) - The reason is stated upfront.Ich bleibe zu Hause, weil es regnet.(I am staying at home because it is raining.) - The reason is presented as a direct explanation.
weil in structure, da and weil are not always interchangeable stylistically. Weil is generally preferred when introducing new, specific reasons, especially in direct answers to "Warum?".Real Conversations
Understanding weil in textbooks is one thing; observing its use in authentic, modern German communication is another. While the grammatical rules for weil clauses are strict, their application can vary subtly depending on the register and context, from formal writing to informal chats. It's essential for B1 learners to recognize these nuances while maintaining adherence to the standard rule for formal contexts.
- Texting and Instant Messaging: In very informal digital communication, particularly among younger speakers, a colloquial shortening can sometimes occur, though the verb-final structure is generally preserved.
- Standard: Ich kann heute nicht, weil ich noch arbeiten muss.
- Common in chat (still verb-final): Kann heut ned, weil ich noch arbeiten muss. (Note the omission of subject ich in the main clause, but the weil-clause is typically complete with verb at the end.)
- Extremely Colloquial/Spoken (not for B1 exam!): You might occasionally hear Ich geh jetzt heim, weil ich bin müde. (where bin is not kicked to the end). This is considered grammatically incorrect in standard German but occurs in very relaxed, rapid spoken language. Avoid this construction for any formal or semi-formal communication.
- Social Media (Captions, Comments): While slightly less informal than direct messaging, social media usage still prioritizes conciseness. Weil clauses are frequent for quick explanations.
- Liebe diese die Stadt, weil sie so viel das Leben hat. (Love this city because it has so much life.)
- Tolles das Foto, weil die die Farben so intensiv sind! (Great photo because the colors are so intense!)
- Work Emails and Professional Communication: In professional settings, strict adherence to the verb-final rule and correct comma placement is expected. Deviations are perceived as errors.
- Ich bitte um Ihr das Verständnis, weil ich den der Termin leider nicht wahrnehmen kann. (I ask for your understanding because I unfortunately cannot keep the appointment.)
- Die die Lieferung verzögert sich, weil es die Probleme im der Lager gab. (The delivery is delayed because there were problems in the warehouse.)
- Spoken German (General): In everyday spoken German, the verb-final rule is consistently applied. It's an integral part of sounding natural and grammatically correct. The ability to form these clauses effortlessly marks a significant step in your fluency.
- Wir gehen jetzt, weil es schon spät ist. (We're leaving now because it's already late.)
- Ich verstehe das nicht, weil die die Erklärung zu die kompliziert war. (I don't understand that because the explanation was too complicated.)
- Weil starting a sentence: While traditionally weil introduces a subordinate clause that follows a main clause, it is grammatically correct and increasingly common, especially in spoken German, for a weil-clause to begin the entire sentence. In such cases, the main clause that follows must start with the conjugated verb (V1 position), triggering inversion.
- Weil ich müde bin, gehe ich jetzt ins Bett. (Because I am tired, I am going to bed now.)
- Weil das das Wetter schlecht ist, bleiben wir zu Hause. (Because the weather is bad, we are staying at home.)
This construction emphasizes the reason upfront and is a sophisticated usage that B1 learners should aim to master.
Quick FAQ
- Q: Can a
weil-clause start a sentence? - A: Yes, absolutely. If a
weil-clause begins the sentence, it functions as the initial element of the entire sentence structure. Consequently, the main clause that follows must start with the conjugated verb, triggering inversion (Verb-Subject-Object order). Example:Weil es kalt ist, ziehe ich eine die Jacke an.(Because it is cold, I am putting on a jacket.)
- Q: Is the comma always necessary before
weil? - A: Yes, without exception. The comma is a mandatory grammatical marker that separates the main clause from the subordinate
weil-clause. Omitting it constitutes a grammatical error in standard German.
- Q: What happens if there are multiple verbs (e.g., modal verbs, perfect tense) in a
weil-clause? - A: The conjugated portion of the verb phrase always takes the absolute final position in the
weil-clause. Any infinitives or past participles will precede it. For example, with a modal verb:Ich kann nicht kommen, weil ich noch arbeiten muss.(conjugatedmussis last). With perfect tense:Sie ist glücklich, weil sie die Prüfung bestanden hat.(conjugatedhatis last). With double infinitive:Er sagt, dass er den der Film nicht sehen wollen hat.(conjugatedhatis last, preceded bywollenandsehen).
- Q: Why does German use this verb-final structure in subordinate clauses?
- A: This structure is a deep-seated characteristic of German syntax, tracing back to its historical development. Linguistically, it allows for all modifying information (subject, objects, adverbs) to be presented and processed before the central action or state (the conjugated verb) is revealed. This can make complex sentences more precise and less ambiguous, as the listener/reader has the full context before the verb completes the meaning. It is a fundamental difference from English and requires a shift in thinking about sentence construction.
- Q: What is the difference between
weil,denn, andda? weil: A subordinating conjunction meaning "because." It introduces a subordinate clause where the conjugated verb goes to the very end. Most common for new, direct reasons. Can start a sentence (with inversion in main clause).denn: A coordinating conjunction meaning "because" or "for." It connects two main clauses, and the clause followingdennmaintains normal main clause (verb-second) word order.Denncannot start a sentence. Stylistically, it can feel slightly more formal or justificatory.da: A subordinating conjunction also meaning "because" or "since." Likeweil, it sends the conjugated verb to the end of its clause.Dais often used when the reason is already known or self-evident, or when the reason clause precedes the main clause in the sentence (e.g.,Da es regnet, ...). It generally carries a more formal or explanatory tone thanweil.
Structure of a 'weil' clause
| Main Clause | Comma | Conjunction | Subject | Middle | Verb (End) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Ich lerne
|
,
|
weil
|
ich
|
Deutsch
|
mag
|
|
Er geht
|
,
|
weil
|
er
|
müde
|
ist
|
|
Wir essen
|
,
|
weil
|
wir
|
Hunger
|
haben
|
|
Sie kommt
|
,
|
weil
|
sie
|
Zeit
|
hat
|
|
Ich bleibe
|
,
|
weil
|
es
|
regnet
|
|
|
Er ruft an
|
,
|
weil
|
er
|
Hilfe
|
braucht
|
Meanings
The conjunction 'weil' is used to introduce a causal clause, providing the reason for the action in the main clause.
Causal Reason
Providing a direct explanation for a situation.
“Ich esse, weil ich Hunger habe.”
“Wir lachen, weil der Film lustig ist.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Main + , + weil + Subj + ... + Verb
|
Ich lerne, weil ich Deutsch mag.
|
|
Negative
|
Main + , + weil + Subj + nicht + ... + Verb
|
Ich lerne nicht, weil ich keine Zeit habe.
|
|
Modal Verb
|
Main + , + weil + Subj + ... + Inf + Modal
|
Ich gehe, weil ich schlafen muss.
|
|
Perfect Tense
|
Main + , + weil + Subj + ... + Part + Aux
|
Ich bin froh, weil ich gewonnen habe.
|
|
Reflexive
|
Main + , + weil + Subj + Refl + ... + Verb
|
Ich freue mich, weil ich mich entspanne.
|
|
Separable Verb
|
Main + , + weil + Subj + ... + Prefix
|
Ich komme, weil ich mitmache.
|
Formality Spectrum
Ich komme verspätet, weil ich den Bus verpasst habe. (Communication)
Ich komme später, weil ich den Bus verpasst habe. (Communication)
Ich komm später, weil ich den Bus verpasst hab. (Communication)
Bin spät, weil Bus verpasst. (Communication)
The Weil Connection
Result
- Hauptsatz Main Clause
Reason
- Nebensatz Subordinate Clause
Weil vs. Denn
Building a Weil sentence
Start with Main Clause?
Add 'weil'?
Examples by Level
Ich lerne, weil ich Deutsch mag.
I learn because I like German.
Ich esse, weil ich Hunger habe.
I eat because I am hungry.
Er schläft, weil er müde ist.
He sleeps because he is tired.
Wir gehen, weil es spät ist.
We are leaving because it is late.
Ich bleibe zu Hause, weil es regnet.
I am staying home because it is raining.
Sie kauft {das|n} Brot, weil sie Hunger hat.
She buys the bread because she is hungry.
Wir sind glücklich, weil wir Urlaub haben.
We are happy because we have vacation.
Er ruft an, weil er Hilfe braucht.
He calls because he needs help.
Ich kann nicht kommen, weil ich arbeiten muss.
I cannot come because I have to work.
Das Auto ist teuer, weil es neu ist.
The car is expensive because it is new.
Sie ist traurig, weil sie ihren Schlüssel verloren hat.
She is sad because she lost her key.
Wir sparen Geld, weil wir ein Haus kaufen wollen.
We are saving money because we want to buy a house.
Er hat die Prüfung nicht bestanden, weil er nicht genug gelernt hat.
He did not pass the exam because he did not study enough.
Die Firma sucht neue Mitarbeiter, weil sie expandiert.
The company is looking for new employees because it is expanding.
Ich habe mich für diesen Kurs entschieden, weil er sehr praxisorientiert ist.
I chose this course because it is very practice-oriented.
Es ist wichtig, gesund zu essen, weil man sich dann besser fühlt.
It is important to eat healthy because one feels better then.
Die Entscheidung wurde revidiert, weil neue Beweise aufgetaucht sind.
The decision was revised because new evidence appeared.
Man schätzt ihn, weil er stets lösungsorientiert handelt.
He is valued because he always acts in a solution-oriented manner.
Die Politik steht unter Druck, weil die Bevölkerung unzufrieden ist.
Politics is under pressure because the population is dissatisfied.
Er verließ den Raum, weil er die Situation nicht mehr ertragen konnte.
He left the room because he could no longer bear the situation.
Die ökonomische Lage ist prekär, weil die Inflation weiterhin steigt.
The economic situation is precarious because inflation continues to rise.
Das Projekt scheiterte, weil die Ressourcen nicht effizient genutzt wurden.
The project failed because the resources were not used efficiently.
Man muss die Nuancen verstehen, weil die Sprachentwicklung dynamisch ist.
One must understand the nuances because language development is dynamic.
Er handelte impulsiv, weil er sich in einer Ausnahmesituation befand.
He acted impulsively because he was in an exceptional situation.
Easily Confused
Both mean 'because', but they have different word orders.
Both are subordinating conjunctions, but 'da' is more formal.
Learners mix up the cause and the result.
Common Mistakes
Ich lerne, weil ich mag Deutsch.
Ich lerne, weil ich Deutsch mag.
Ich lerne weil ich Deutsch mag.
Ich lerne, weil ich Deutsch mag.
Weil ich Deutsch mag, ich lerne.
Weil ich Deutsch mag, lerne ich.
Ich lerne, weil ich habe Deutsch gemocht.
Ich lerne, weil ich Deutsch gemocht habe.
Ich gehe, weil ich muss arbeiten.
Ich gehe, weil ich arbeiten muss.
Ich bin hier, weil ich habe Zeit.
Ich bin hier, weil ich Zeit habe.
Er ist traurig, weil er hat verloren.
Er ist traurig, weil er verloren hat.
Ich komme, weil ich will mitmachen.
Ich komme, weil ich mitmachen will.
Das ist wichtig, weil man muss lernen.
Das ist wichtig, weil man lernen muss.
Ich bleibe, weil ich bin müde.
Ich bleibe, weil ich müde bin.
Er sagte, weil er war krank.
Er sagte, dass er krank war.
Weil er krank war, er kam nicht.
Weil er krank war, kam er nicht.
Ich arbeite, weil ich Geld brauche, und weil ich will Erfolg.
Ich arbeite, weil ich Geld brauche und weil ich Erfolg will.
Weil er hat gearbeitet, er ist müde.
Weil er gearbeitet hat, ist er müde.
Sentence Patterns
Ich ___ , weil ich ___ .
___ , weil ich ___ muss.
Ich habe ___ , weil ich ___ habe.
Es ist wichtig, dass ___, weil ___ .
Real World Usage
Komme später, weil Stau ist.
Ich bewerbe mich, weil ich mich weiterentwickeln möchte.
Ich liebe diesen Ort, weil er so schön ist!
Ich nehme das ohne Zwiebeln, weil ich sie nicht mag.
Wir nehmen den Zug, weil er schneller ist.
Ich schreibe Ihnen, weil ich eine Frage habe.
Verb at the end
Don't forget the comma
Use 'da' for variety
Spoken vs. Written
Smart Tips
Think of 'weil' as a magnet that pulls the verb to the end of the sentence.
Remember: the conjugated modal verb always goes to the very end.
Use 'da' if you want to sound slightly more professional.
If you forget the verb-last rule, use 'denn' instead, as it keeps the normal word order.
Pronunciation
Stress
The word 'weil' is usually unstressed in a sentence unless you are emphasizing the reason.
Falling intonation
Ich lerne, weil ich Deutsch mag ↘
Standard statement of fact.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Weil makes the verb go to the end like a tail.
Visual Association
Imagine a train where the engine (the verb) is forced to the very back of the train (the sentence) whenever 'weil' is the conductor.
Rhyme
Weil makes the verb fly, to the end of the sky.
Story
Hans wanted to eat. He said: 'Ich esse, weil ich Hunger habe.' His friend asked why. Hans said: 'Ich lerne, weil ich klug sein will.' He practiced this all day until the verb-at-the-end became natural.
Word Web
Challenge
Write 5 sentences about your day using 'weil' and check if the verb is at the end.
Cultural Notes
Germans value directness. Using 'weil' to explain yourself is seen as polite and professional.
In Austria, 'weil' is used similarly, but you might hear 'da' more often in formal contexts.
Swiss German speakers often use 'weil' in the same way, but in formal writing, they follow standard German rules strictly.
The word 'weil' comes from the Middle High German 'wīle', meaning 'while' or 'time'.
Conversation Starters
Warum lernst du Deutsch?
Warum bist du heute hier?
Warum hast du diesen Job gewählt?
Warum ist Umweltschutz wichtig?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
Ich lerne, weil ich Deutsch ___ (mögen).
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
Ich bleibe, weil ich muss arbeiten.
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
I am happy because I won.
Answer starts with: Ich...
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
A: Warum gehst du? B: Ich gehe, ___.
Ich / essen / weil / Hunger / haben
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercisesIch lerne, weil ich Deutsch ___ (mögen).
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
Ich bleibe, weil ich muss arbeiten.
weil / ich / habe / Zeit / heute
I am happy because I won.
Ich lerne...
A: Warum gehst du? B: Ich gehe, ___.
Ich / essen / weil / Hunger / haben
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercisesWir bleiben zu Hause, weil es ___.
nicht / ich / weil / kommen / kann / muss / ich / arbeiten
I'm happy because you are here.
Match these clauses:
Weil ich kein Geld habe, ...
Ich mag Berlin, weil es ist cool.
Sie ist traurig, weil sie ihr Handy ___.
Ich mache Sport, ...
I'm staying home because it's raining.
Ich bin müde, weil ich heute früh ___ (aufstehen).
Score: /10
FAQ (8)
It's a rule for subordinating conjunctions in German. It marks the clause as dependent.
Yes, but the whole 'weil' clause must come first, followed by the main clause starting with the verb.
Yes, in meaning, but not in grammar.
'Weil' is a subordinating conjunction (verb-last), 'denn' is a coordinating conjunction (verb-second).
Yes, a comma is required before 'weil'.
Yes, the modal verb goes to the very end.
Yes, it is standard German.
It will sound like a mistake to native speakers, so practice it until it's automatic.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
porque
German requires verb-last word order; Spanish does not.
parce que
German requires verb-last word order; French does not.
kara
Japanese is SOV, so the verb is naturally at the end.
li-anna
German is a verb-final language in this context; Arabic is not.
yinwei
Chinese does not change word order for causal clauses.
because
German requires verb-last word order; English does not.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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