German Relative Clauses with Prepositions (mit dem, auf den)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
When a relative clause requires a preposition, place the preposition directly before the relative pronoun to maintain formal German structure.
- Place the preposition before the relative pronoun: 'Das Buch, mit dem ich arbeite.'
- Ensure the relative pronoun matches the gender and case of the antecedent: 'Die Frau, auf die ich warte.'
- The verb remains at the end of the relative clause: 'Der Stuhl, auf dem ich sitze, ist alt.'
Overview
Mastering German at the C1 level demands not only grammatical accuracy but also stylistic elegance and precision. Relative clauses with prepositions are a cornerstone of this advanced proficiency, enabling you to embed detailed information seamlessly into your sentences. Instead of constructing multiple short sentences, you can connect ideas with sophistication, reflecting a nuanced understanding of German syntax.
This grammatical structure is fundamental for expressing complex thoughts, describing relationships, and providing context without repetition. It allows you to transform basic statements like “I have a colleague. I work with this colleague.” into a concise and polished “Das ist der Kollege, mit dem ich arbeite.” (That is the colleague with whom I work.).
The necessity for this construction arises from the inherent case-governing nature of German prepositions and their integral connection to specific verbs. Understanding this connection is key to unlocking more fluid and precise communication.
How This Grammar Works
denken an – to think about, warten auf – to wait for, sprechen über – to talk about) form a single conceptual unit. When you want to describe a noun using such a verb phrase within a relative clause, the preposition cannot be separated from its governing verb and must precede the relative pronoun.Preposition + Relative Pronoun acts as a cohesive unit that refers back to the main clause's noun while simultaneously fulfilling the verb's prepositional requirement.mit ihm.” (I speak with him.). To combine these into a single, elegant sentence, German avoids the clunky mit ihm repetition. Instead, the preposition mit (which always takes Dativ) pairs with the relative pronoun referring to der Freund.Freund is masculine, and mit requires Dativ, the relative pronoun becomes dem. The resulting sentence is: “Das ist der Freund, mit dem ich spreche.” The verb spreche retains its typical subordinate clause position at the end. This structure provides a concise and unambiguous way to embed complex information, distinguishing itself from simpler language use.Formation Pattern
Preposition + Relative Pronoun + Subordinate Clause Word Order. The first step is identifying the antecedent noun in your main clause, as this determines the gender and number of your relative pronoun. Next, pinpoint the verb and its associated preposition in the clause you wish to embed. This preposition will dictate the case of the relative pronoun.
der Tisch (masculine, singular), die Frau (feminine, singular), das Buch (neuter, singular), die Kinder (plural).
warten auf, denken an, sprechen über, sich freuen über, helfen bei, sich ärgern über). This preposition will be placed directly before the relative pronoun.
den | die |
die | die |
das | die |
der Film, sprechen über (über + Akkusativ)
über den wir gestern gesprochen haben.” (That is the film about which we spoke yesterday.)
dem | denen |
der | denen |
dem | denen |
die Kollegin, arbeiten mit (mit + Dativ)
mit der ich oft zusammenarbeite.” (She is the colleague with whom I often work together.)
die Probleme, helfen bei (bei + Dativ)
bei denen er uns geholfen hat.” (These are the problems with which he helped us.)
wegen, trotz, anstatt, außerhalb, innerhalb, the structure is Präposition + dessen/deren. While grammatically possible, it's less common and often sounds formal. For example: “die Situation, trotz deren Schwierigkeit wir weitergemacht haben.” (The situation, despite whose difficulty we continued.) This construction is considerably more advanced and typically avoided in casual speech in favor of reformulating the sentence.
When To Use It
sich beschäftigen mit (to occupy oneself with), you would naturally use this structure: “Das ist das Projekt, mit dem ich mich gerade beschäftige.” (That is the project with which I am currently occupied.). This directly answers “Which project?” by providing the relevant, preposition-governed activity.- Academic and Professional Communication: In university essays, research papers, or business reports, these clauses enable you to link ideas logically and attribute actions precisely. “Die Studie,
auf diesich der Autor bezieht, ist bahnbrechend.” (The study to which the author refers is groundbreaking.) - Detailed Descriptions: When describing objects, people, or concepts, you use them to elaborate on how something interacts or relates. “Ich suche die Software,
über diewir gesprochen haben.” (I am looking for the software about which we spoke.) - Explanations and Narrations: They help to maintain narrative flow by embedding descriptive elements directly. “Die Stadt,
in derich aufgewachsen bin, hat sich stark verändert.” (The city in which I grew up has changed significantly.)
der, die, das) alone is insufficient because the verb in the relative clause requires a specific preposition, this advanced structure becomes necessary. Its proper application demonstrates a command of German syntax that moves beyond basic sentence construction and towards sophisticated embedding of information.Common Mistakes
- 1Incorrect Case after Preposition: This is perhaps the most frequent error. Learners often use the wrong case for the relative pronoun, forgetting that the preposition always dictates the case. For instance,
fürrequires Akkusativ, so sayingfür dem(Dativ) is incorrect; it must befür den(Akkusativ). Similarly,mitrequires Dativ, somit den(Akkusativ) is wrong; it must bemit dem. Always verify the case governed by the preposition.
- Incorrect: “Das Thema,
für demer sich interessiert.” - Correct: “Das Thema,
für daser sich interessiert.” (The topic in which he is interested.) (für+ Akkusativ)
- 1Missing Preposition: Omitting the required preposition completely alters the meaning or renders the sentence ungrammatical. Forgetting the preposition when the verb demands it is a significant error. For example,
wartenalways takesauf. So, “der Mann,denich warte” means “the man whom I wait (like a waiter serves a table),” not “the man for whom I wait.”
- Incorrect: “Der Freund,
denich warte.” - Correct: “Der Freund,
auf denich warte.” (The friend for whom I am waiting.)
- 1Incorrect Plural Dativ (
denenvs.den): For Dativ plural relative clauses, the correct form isdenen, notden. This is a common error that instantly identifies a non-native speaker.Denis the masculine singular Akkusativ form.Denenexplicitly signals Dativ plural and includes then-declension if the following noun (or implied noun) is in the Dativ plural.
- Incorrect: “Die Leute,
mit denich gesprochen habe.” - Correct: “Die Leute,
mit denenich gesprochen habe.” (The people with whom I spoke.)
- 1Misplaced Verb: As with all German subordinate clauses, the conjugated verb must be positioned at the very end of the relative clause. Placing it earlier (e.g., in the second position as in a main clause) is a fundamental word order error.
- Incorrect: “Die Situation,
über diewir haben diskutiert.” - Correct: “Die Situation,
über diewir diskutiert haben.” (The situation about which we discussed.)
- 1Confusion with
wo-compounds (womit,worüber, etc.): This is a nuanced point crucial for C1. WhilePreposition + Relative Pronounis generally used for people,wo-compounds are typically preferred for inanimate objects or abstract concepts. Using awo-compound for a person sounds unnatural and objectifying.
- For People: Always use
Präposition + Relativpronomen. Der Lehrer,von demich spreche.(The teacher of whom I speak.)Die Frau,mit derer tanzt.(The woman with whom he dances.)- For Objects/Concepts: Use
wo-compounds (womit,worüber,wovon) if the preposition starts with a vowel, orwor-(worauf,worin) if the preposition starts with a consonant. WhilePräposition + Relativpronomen(e.g.,über das) is also grammatically correct for objects,wo-compounds are often more common and sound more natural. Das Thema,worüberich nachdenke.(The topic about which I am thinking.) (More natural thanüber das)Die Aufgabe,womiter sich beschäftigt.(The task with which he is occupied.)
wo- compound might be used for emphasis or in specific idiomatic expressions, but generally, stick to the Präposition + Relativpronomen for people.Real Conversations
In authentic German communication, relative clauses with prepositions are not limited to formal writing but are actively used across various registers, from casual chat to professional exchanges. Their deployment showcases a speaker's ability to compress information and create coherent, interconnected thoughts.
Everyday Interactions:
- Discussing Plans: “Wir gehen zu dem Café, über das wir letzte Woche gesprochen haben.” (We’re going to the cafe about which we spoke last week.) Here, über das clearly specifies which cafe is being referred to.
- Referring to People: “Das ist der neue Kollege, mit dem ich an dem Projekt arbeite.” (That’s the new colleague with whom I am working on the project.) This avoids a repetitive “Ich arbeite mit ihm an dem Projekt.”
- Social Media/Texting: While shorter sentences are common, these clauses still appear for clarity.
- Das war der Film, worüber alle reden. (That was the film about which everyone is talking.) (Note the wo- compound for Film (object), which is common in informal speech).
- Hast du die Mail, auf die ich warte? (Do you have the email for which I am waiting?)
Professional and Academic Contexts:
- Project Discussions: “Wir müssen die Probleme besprechen, mit denen das Team konfrontiert ist.” (We need to discuss the problems with which the team is confronted.) The Dativ plural denen is essential here.
- Formal Presentations: “Die Daten, auf die sich unsere Analyse stützt, stammen aus zuverlässigen Quellen.” (The data on which our analysis relies comes from reliable sources.) This provides precise academic sourcing.
- Emails/Reports: “Anbei finden Sie das Dokument, nach dem Sie gefragt hatten.” (Attached you will find the document about which you had asked.)
Stylistic Choices and Nuance:
- Native speakers often fluidly choose between wo- compounds and Präposition + Relativpronomen for inanimate objects, depending on rhythm and emphasis. For example, Das ist das Buch, über das ich mich freue. and Das ist das Buch, worüber ich mich freue. are both correct for das Buch, though worüber might sound slightly more integrated or casual. However, for people, the Präposition + Relativpronomen is non-negotiable.
- The use of these clauses can signal a higher level of education or formality, as they allow for greater grammatical complexity and nuanced expression. Over-reliance on simple sentences without such embedding can make one's German sound elementary or abrupt.
Understanding these real-world applications helps solidify the rule's practical value and guides you in deploying it appropriately to enhance the sophistication of your German.
Quick FAQ
was as a relative pronoun with prepositions?Generally, no. The relative pronoun was is reserved for specific antecedents: indefinite pronouns like alles, etwas, nichts, vieles, weniges, or when referring to an entire preceding clause. For example: “Es gab nichts, womit ich zufrieden war.” (There was nothing with which I was satisfied.) or “Er kam zu spät, was mich ärgerte.” (He came too late, which annoyed me.) In the latter, was refers to the entire action, not a specific noun that takes a preposition. When a specific noun is the antecedent and a preposition is involved, you must use Preposition + der/die/das or a wo- compound for inanimate objects.
denen mandatory for Dativ plural?Absolutely. Using den for a Dativ plural relative pronoun is a clear grammatical error. Denen is the specific form for Dativ plural across all genders, serving as a crucial identifier of advanced grammatical command. For instance, “Die Studierenden, bei denen ich mich bedankt habe” (The students to whom I gave thanks) is correct, while bei den would be incorrect.
The choice of preposition is entirely dependent on the verb or adjective it accompanies in the relative clause. Many verbs govern a specific preposition (e.g., warten auf, sich freuen über, sich interessieren für, sprechen mit). This is a matter of collocation that often requires memorization. There are no shortcuts; consistent exposure and practice with German verb-preposition pairings are essential. Consulting a reliable dictionary that lists verb valencies will be invaluable.
Typically, yes. A relative clause always directly follows the noun it modifies (its antecedent). This means it can appear in the middle of a main clause if the antecedent is not at the end, or at the end if the antecedent is the last element of the main clause. This positioning is crucial for clarity, as it immediately clarifies which noun the clause is describing. For instance: “Der Mann, mit dem ich telefoniert habe, ist mein Chef.” (The man with whom I spoke on the phone is my boss.)
Preposition + Relativpronomen and wo- compounds for objects?While both are grammatically correct for inanimate objects or abstract concepts, wo- compounds (worauf, worüber, womit) are generally preferred in spoken and informal written German. They often sound more natural and integrated. For example, Das Thema, worüber wir sprechen (the topic about which we speak) is often favored over Das Thema, über das wir sprechen. However, when referring to people, only Preposition + Relativpronomen is acceptable. Using a wo- compound for a person (e.g., *worüber der Mann) is grammatically incorrect and highly unnatural, as wo- compounds specifically denote non-personal antecedents. This distinction is a key C1-level nuance.
Yes, it is grammatically possible to combine Genitiv relative pronouns (dessen, deren) with prepositions, especially those that also govern the Genitiv case (e.g., wegen, trotz). For example: “Der Autor, trotz dessen Kritik das Buch ein Erfolg wurde...” (The author, despite whose criticism the book became a success...). This construction is highly formal and rare in everyday speech, even at C1, often making a sentence sound overly stiff. It's more common in very formal legal or academic texts. In most contexts, a rephrasing of the sentence would be preferred for clarity and naturalness. However, recognizing this possibility demonstrates a profound understanding of German syntax.
Relative Pronoun Selection
| Gender | Case | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Masculine
|
Dative
|
dem
|
denen
|
|
Feminine
|
Dative
|
der
|
denen
|
|
Neuter
|
Dative
|
dem
|
denen
|
|
Masculine
|
Accusative
|
den
|
die
|
|
Feminine
|
Accusative
|
die
|
die
|
|
Neuter
|
Accusative
|
das
|
die
|
Meanings
This structure is used to link a relative clause to a noun when the verb in that clause requires a specific preposition.
Standard Prepositional Link
Connecting a noun to a clause that requires a prepositional object.
“Das Haus, in dem ich wohne.”
“Die Stadt, aus der er kommt.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Prep + RelPron + ... + Verb
|
Das Haus, in dem ich lebe.
|
|
Negative
|
Prep + RelPron + ... + nicht + Verb
|
Das Haus, in dem ich nicht lebe.
|
|
Question
|
N/A (Relative clauses are not questions)
|
N/A
|
|
Dative
|
mit/von/bei + Dative Pronoun
|
Der Mann, mit dem ich rede.
|
|
Accusative
|
für/durch/gegen + Accusative Pronoun
|
Die Idee, für die ich bin.
|
|
Plural
|
Prep + denen/die
|
Die Leute, mit denen ich arbeite.
|
Formality Spectrum
Die Person, auf die ich warte. (Standard usage)
Die Person, auf die ich warte. (Standard usage)
Die Person, auf die ich warte. (Standard usage)
Die Person, auf die ich warte. (Standard usage)
Relative Clause Anatomy
Start
- Preposition e.g., mit
Connector
- Relative Pronoun dem/der/das
Examples by Level
Das ist das Haus, in dem ich wohne.
This is the house in which I live.
Das ist der Stuhl, auf dem ich sitze.
This is the chair on which I sit.
Das ist die Frau, mit der ich spiele.
This is the woman with whom I play.
Das ist das Buch, von dem ich spreche.
This is the book of which I speak.
Der Film, von dem du erzählt hast, ist gut.
The film you told me about is good.
Die Stadt, in der ich geboren bin, ist groß.
The city in which I was born is big.
Das Projekt, an dem wir arbeiten, ist schwer.
The project we are working on is hard.
Die Freunde, mit denen ich reise, sind nett.
The friends with whom I travel are nice.
Die Firma, für die ich mich interessiere, sucht Personal.
The company I am interested in is looking for staff.
Das Thema, über das wir diskutiert haben, war komplex.
The topic we discussed was complex.
Die Person, auf die ich gewartet habe, ist endlich da.
The person I was waiting for is finally here.
Das Ziel, auf das wir hinarbeiten, ist wichtig.
The goal we are working towards is important.
Die Bedingungen, unter denen wir arbeiten, sind schwierig.
The conditions under which we work are difficult.
Die Entscheidung, zu der wir gekommen sind, ist endgültig.
The decision we have reached is final.
Die Probleme, mit denen wir konfrontiert sind, sind lösbar.
The problems we are confronted with are solvable.
Die Prinzipien, auf denen unsere Arbeit basiert, sind klar.
The principles on which our work is based are clear.
Die Kriterien, nach denen die Bewerber ausgewählt wurden, sind streng.
The criteria by which the applicants were selected are strict.
Die Annahme, von der wir ausgehen, muss überprüft werden.
The assumption we are starting from must be checked.
Die Maßnahmen, zu denen sich die Regierung verpflichtet hat, sind weitreichend.
The measures to which the government has committed are far-reaching.
Die Perspektive, aus der wir das Problem betrachten, ist entscheidend.
The perspective from which we view the problem is decisive.
Das Phänomen, in Bezug auf das wir unsere Analysen durchführen, ist neuartig.
The phenomenon in relation to which we conduct our analyses is novel.
Die Instanz, bei der man Beschwerde einreichen kann, ist das Büro.
The authority with which one can file a complaint is the office.
Die Hypothese, auf deren Grundlage wir forschen, ist gewagt.
The hypothesis on the basis of which we research is bold.
Die Umstände, unter welchen sich der Vorfall ereignete, bleiben unklar.
The circumstances under which the incident occurred remain unclear.
Easily Confused
They look identical (der/die/das).
Common Mistakes
Das ist der Mann, den ich mit spreche.
Das ist der Mann, mit dem ich spreche.
Das ist das Buch, das ich von spreche.
Das ist das Buch, von dem ich spreche.
Die Frau, mit die ich arbeite.
Die Frau, mit der ich arbeite.
Das Projekt, an was ich arbeite.
Das Projekt, an dem ich arbeite.
Sentence Patterns
Das ist der/die/das ___, ___ ich ___.
Real World Usage
Die Daten, auf die wir uns stützen...
Die Erfahrung, mit der ich punkten kann...
Check the Verb
Smart Tips
Use prepositional relative clauses to sound professional.
Pronunciation
Stress
The preposition is usually unstressed, while the relative pronoun carries slight emphasis.
Rising-Falling
Die Frau, [mit der ich spreche], ist nett.
Standard relative clause intonation.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Preposition first, pronoun second, verb at the end—that's the German way.
Visual Association
Imagine a train: the preposition is the engine, the relative pronoun is the first carriage, and the verb is the caboose at the very back.
Rhyme
Preposition at the start, keeps the grammar smart.
Story
I met a man. I spoke with him. 'Das ist der Mann, mit dem ich gesprochen habe.' The preposition 'mit' travels from the end of the sentence to the front of the relative clause to hold the pronoun 'dem' in place.
Word Web
Challenge
Write 5 sentences about your workplace using a different preposition in each relative clause.
Cultural Notes
This structure is essential in university papers.
Used in formal reports.
Often uses 'wo' instead of relative pronouns, but formal writing follows the standard rule.
Derived from the need to clarify the relationship between nouns and verbs in complex sentences.
Conversation Starters
Was ist ein Thema, für das du dich interessierst?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
Das ist der Mann, mit ___ ich arbeite.
Score: /1
Practice Exercises
1 exercisesDas ist der Mann, mit ___ ich arbeite.
Score: /1
Practice Bank
10 exercisesDort steht {das|n} Haus, ___ ___ ich geträumt habe. (träumen von + Dativ)
The woman I am waiting for is late.
der / mit / ich / ist / Mann / Das / spreche / dem
Match the pairs:
The student whose laptop I borrowed...
Die Leute, von den ich das gehört habe, lügen.
Die Firma, ___ ___ ich mich beworben habe, ist in Berlin. (sich bewerben bei + Dativ)
The tool I work with...
The topic we are talking about is hard.
die / auf / wir / Party / uns / freuen / Die
Score: /10
FAQ (1)
No, that is incorrect in standard German.
Scaffolded Practice
1
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
La persona con quien hablo.
Spanish uses 'quien' for people, German uses gendered pronouns.
La personne avec qui je parle.
French 'qui' is invariant.
Die Person, mit der ich spreche.
N/A
Watashi ga hanashite iru hito.
Japanese has no relative pronouns.
الشخص الذي أتحدث معه.
Arabic keeps the preposition at the end.
我跟他说话的那个人。
Chinese word order is entirely different.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Related Videos
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