B2 Word Order 10 min read Medium

Verb Position After Conjunctions (Word Order)

Mastering conjunctions means knowing if the verb stays put, moves to the end, or swaps with the subject.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

In German, the verb is the anchor: it stays in the second position in main clauses but jumps to the very end in subordinate clauses.

  • Main clause: The conjugated verb is always the second element. (Ich gehe heute nach Hause.)
  • Subordinate clause: The conjugated verb moves to the final position. (...weil ich heute nach Hause gehe.)
  • Conjunctions like 'weil' or 'dass' trigger this end-position shift.
Main: [Subject] + [Verb] + [Rest] | Subordinate: [Conjunction] + [Subject] + [Rest] + [Verb]

Overview

Mastering German word order, particularly after conjunctions, is crucial for B2 learners aiming for fluency and grammatical precision. While the fundamental Verb-Second (V2) rule governs most main clauses, conjunctions act as modifiers, dictating how the verb behaves and where it ultimately settles within a sentence or clause. Incorrect verb placement, especially with subordinate clauses, immediately signals a lack of proficiency.

At the B2 level, you are expected to navigate these complexities with confidence, constructing logically coherent and grammatically sound sentences that reflect advanced thought processes. Understanding the subtle nuances of verb positioning after different conjunction types allows you to express complex ideas, conditions, reasons, and concessions accurately, moving beyond basic communication to articulate sophisticated arguments and descriptions.

This guide will dissect the three primary categories of conjunctions: coordinating (nebenordnende), subordinating (unterordnende), and adverbial (Konjunktionaladverbien), explaining their unique impact on German sentence structure. We will explore the underlying linguistic logic, provide clear formation patterns, highlight common pitfalls, and offer practical examples that mirror real-world usage. By grasping these rules, you will not only improve your written and spoken German but also gain a deeper appreciation for the logical architecture of the language.

How This Grammar Works

German sentence structure operates on a principle of verb framing, where the conjugated verb (or parts of it) occupies specific, fixed positions. This structural rigidity, often perceived as challenging, is in fact a powerful tool for clarity and precision, especially in complex sentences. The core idea is that the conjugated verb acts as an anchor or a pivot point, around which other sentence elements arrange themselves.
In a standard German main clause (Hauptsatz), the conjugated verb invariably occupies the second position. This means that whatever element comes first – be it the subject, an adverbial phrase, or an object – it sets the stage, and the verb follows. For example, in Heute lerne ich Deutsch (Today I learn German), Heute is in position 1, and lerne is in position 2.
If the subject comes first, Ich lerne heute Deutsch, Ich is in position 1, and lerne remains in position 2. This V2 principle is fundamental.
Conjunctions introduce varying degrees of structural complexity by either preserving this V2 structure, modifying it within a new clause, or triggering a reordering of the main clause. Linguistically, German has a strong tendency towards verb-final clauses, particularly in subordinate structures. While main clauses pull the verb forward to position 2, subordinate clauses revert to this inherent verb-final order.
Understanding this interplay between V2 and verb-final tendencies is key to mastering conjunctions.
Coordinating conjunctions act like bridges between two independent main clauses, allowing each clause to maintain its V2 order. Subordinating conjunctions, conversely, introduce clauses that are dependent on a main clause, and they enforce the strict verb-last rule. Adverbial conjunctions, while functionally connecting ideas, behave syntactically like adverbs; they occupy the first position in a new main clause, thereby triggering the verb-second inversion that is characteristic of German Hauptsätze beginning with anything other than the subject.
The comma in German is also a critical structural marker, often delineating these clause boundaries with more strictness than in English.

Word Order Rules

German conjunctions are categorized into three main types, each dictating a specific verb position. Understanding these categories is the foundation for correct sentence construction.
1. Coordinating Conjunctions (nebenordnende Konjunktionen)
These conjunctions connect two grammatically equal clauses (typically two main clauses or two phrases). They are often referred to as zero-position conjunctions because they do not occupy a grammatical position within the clause they introduce. Consequently, the clause following them retains the standard Verb-Second (V2) word order.
The most common coordinating conjunctions form the mnemonic ADUSO or DANSO:
  • aber (but)
  • denn (because, for)
  • und (and)
  • sondern (but, on the contrary – used after a negation)
  • oder (or)
Rule: Main Clause 1 (V2) + Coordinating Conjunction + Main Clause 2 (V2).
Examples:
  • Ich möchte der Kaffee trinken, aber ich habe keine Zeit. (I want to drink coffee, but I have no time.)
  • Er ist müde, denn er hat lange gearbeitet. (He is tired, because he worked long.)
  • Wir gehen ins Kino, und danach essen wir das Eis. (We go to the cinema, and after that we eat ice cream.)
2. Subordinating Conjunctions (unterordnende Konjunktionen)
These conjunctions introduce a subordinate clause (Nebensatz), which is dependent on a main clause. The defining characteristic of a subordinate clause in German is that the conjugated verb moves to the very end of the clause. This is a strict rule with no exceptions in standard German.
Common subordinating conjunctions include:
  • als (when – for a single past event)
  • bevor (before)
  • bis (until)
  • da (since, because – often used when the reason is already known or less emphasized)
  • damit (so that, in order that)
  • dass (that)
  • falls (in case)
  • nachdem (after – requiring Plusquamperfekt/Perfekt in the subordinate clause if the main clause is past)
  • ob (whether, if)
  • obwohl (although, even though)
  • seitdem (since then, ever since)
  • sobald (as soon as)
  • solange (as long as)
  • während (while, during)
  • weil (because)
  • wenn (if, when – for repeated events or future/hypothetical situations)
Rule:
  • If the subordinate clause follows the main clause: Main Clause (V2) + , + Subordinating Conjunction + Subject + ... + Conjugated Verb (at the end).
  • If the subordinate clause precedes the main clause: Subordinating Conjunction + Subject + ... + Conjugated Verb (at the end) + , + Conjugated Verb (Main Clause V2) + Subject (Main Clause) + ....
Examples:
  • Ich weiß, dass du fleißig bist. (I know that you are diligent.)
  • Weil es regnet, bleibe ich zu Hause. (Because it rains, I stay at home.)
  • Wir können nicht kommen, obwohl wir gern dabei wären. (We can't come, although we would like to be there.)
3. Adverbial Conjunctions (Konjunktionaladverbien or bindende Adverbien)
These words function as adverbs but also connect sentences or clauses, indicating a logical relationship (e.g., cause, consequence, contrast). Crucially, they occupy the first position in the clause they introduce. Because they take position 1, the conjugated verb must follow in position 2, which in turn forces the subject to position 3.
This phenomenon is called inversion (Inversion).
Common adverbial conjunctions include:
  • danach (after that)
  • dann (then)
  • darauf (thereupon)
  • daher / deshalb / deswegen / darum (therefore, that's why)
  • dennoch / trotzdem (nevertheless, still)
  • außerdem (besides, furthermore)
  • folglich / infolgedessen (consequently)
  • einerseits ... andererseits (on the one hand ... on the other hand)
Rule: Previous Sentence/Clause. + Adverbial Conjunction (Pos 1) + Conjugated Verb (Pos 2) + Subject (Pos 3) + ....
Examples:
  • Es regnet stark. Deshalb bleibe ich zu Hause. (It's raining heavily. Therefore, I stay at home.)
  • Ich habe viel gelernt. Trotzdem bin ich nervös vor die Prüfung. (I have studied a lot. Nevertheless, I am nervous about the exam.)
  • Zuerst essen wir. Danach gehen wir spazieren. (First we eat. After that, we go for a walk.)

Formation Pattern

1
To solidify your understanding, let's look at the precise structural patterns using tables, which provide a clear visual guide for verb placement.
2
Pattern 1: Coordinating Conjunctions (ADUSO/DANSO)
3
These conjunctions connect two independent main clauses. Each main clause maintains its standard Verb-Second (V2) order. The conjunction itself does not count as a position, acting as a separator.
4
| Clause 1 Element (Pos 1) | Verb (Pos 2) | Remainder Clause 1 | Conjunction (Zero Pos) | Clause 2 Element (Pos 1) | Verb (Pos 2) | Remainder Clause 2 |
5
| :----------------------- | :----------- | :----------------- | :--------------------- | :----------------------- | :----------- | :----------------- |
6
| Ich | komme | gleich, | aber | ich | muss | noch kurz telefonieren. |
7
| Wir | haben | keine Zeit, | denn | wir | fahren | in den Urlaub. |
8
Pattern 2: Subordinating Conjunctions (Verb-Last)
9
Subordinating conjunctions introduce dependent clauses where the conjugated verb is always pushed to the end. The entire subordinate clause is then treated as one grammatical unit. If the subordinate clause comes first, it occupies position 1 of the main clause, triggering Verb-Second in the main clause itself.
10
a) Subordinate Clause Follows Main Clause
11
| Main Clause Element (Pos 1) | Verb (Pos 2) | Remainder Main Clause | Sub. Conj. | Subject (Sub. Clause) | Other Elements (Sub. Clause) | Conjugated Verb (Sub. Clause END) |
12
| :-------------------------- | :----------- | :-------------------- | :--------- | :-------------------- | :--------------------------- | :----------------------------- |
13
| Ich | weiß, | | dass | du | heute nicht kommen | kannst. |
14
| Er | lernt | Deutsch, | weil | er | in Deutschland arbeiten | möchte. |
15
b) Subordinate Clause Precedes Main Clause
16
| Sub. Conj. | Subject (Sub. Clause) | Other Elements (Sub. Clause) | Conjugated Verb (Sub. Clause END) | , | Conjugated Verb (Main Clause Pos 2) | Subject (Main Clause Pos 3) | Remainder Main Clause |
17
| :--------- | :-------------------- | :--------------------------- | :----------------------------- | :-- | :----------------------------- | :-------------------------- | :-------------------- |
18
| Obwohl | es | stark | regnete, | , | ging | er | spazieren. |
19
| Wenn | du | fertig | bist, | , | gib | mir | Bescheid. |
20
Pattern 3: Adverbial Conjunctions (Inversion)
21
These conjunctions act as adverbs that occupy the crucial first position in a new main clause. This automatically forces the conjugated verb into the second position and the subject into the third position.
22
| Previous Sentence. | Adverbial Conjunction (Pos 1) | Conjugated Verb (Pos 2) | Subject (Pos 3) | Other Elements |
23
| :----------------- | :---------------------------- | :-------------------------- | :-------------- | :------------- |
24
| Ich habe Hunger. | Deshalb | bestelle | ich | eine Pizza. |
25
| Es ist kalt. | Trotzdem | ziehe | ich | keinen Mantel an. |

When To Use It

Each type of conjunction serves a distinct communicative purpose, reflecting varying degrees of logical connection and emphasis between ideas. At the B2 level, choosing the correct conjunction and applying the corresponding word order demonstrates a sophisticated command of German.
  • Coordinating Conjunctions (aber, denn, und, sondern, oder): Use these for connecting ideas that are of equal grammatical weight. They maintain a straightforward, often more casual, flow between two independent statements. und simply adds information, oder presents an alternative, aber introduces a contrast, sondern corrects a negative statement, and denn provides a reason. denn is particularly useful when you want to offer a reason without the complex verb-final structure of a weil-clause, making your speech sound more direct and less formal.
Example: Wir haben nicht viel Geld, aber wir wollen trotzdem reisen. (We don't have much money, but we still want to travel.)
  • Subordinating Conjunctions (weil, dass, wenn, obwohl, etc.): These are essential for constructing complex sentences that express intricate relationships between ideas. They introduce clauses that provide detailed information about time (als, wenn, nachdem), cause (weil, da), condition (wenn, falls), concession (obwohl), purpose (damit), or indirect statements (dass, ob). The verb-last structure of subordinate clauses allows for dense information packing, which is characteristic of formal written German and complex argumentation. Using them correctly is key to academic writing, detailed explanations, and precise reporting.
Example: Es ist wichtig, dass wir die Grammatikregeln genau verstehen. (It is important that we understand the grammar rules exactly.)
  • Adverbial Conjunctions (deshalb, trotzdem, außerdem, etc.): These are used to link sentences or independent clauses with a strong logical connection, such as cause-effect, contrast, or addition. They often lend a more formal or emphatic tone than coordinating conjunctions. By triggering inversion, they draw attention to the logical link established by the conjunction itself. They are particularly effective in essays, reports, and presentations where you need to clearly signpost the relationship between different points or arguments.
Example: Die Mietpreise sind stark gestiegen. Deswegen ziehen viele Leute aus der Stadt weg. (Rental prices have risen sharply. That's why many people are moving out of the city.)

Common Mistakes

Even at B2, specific errors with conjunctions and verb placement persist. Recognizing and consciously avoiding these patterns will significantly elevate your German proficiency.
  1. 1**The

Subordinate Clause Structure

Position 1 Position 2 Middle Field Final Position
Conjunction
Subject
Objects/Adverbs
Verb

Meanings

This rule dictates the placement of the conjugated verb based on the type of clause (main vs. subordinate). It is the fundamental structural principle of German syntax.

1

Subordinating Conjunctions

When a sentence starts with a subordinating conjunction, the verb must move to the end.

“Er bleibt zu Hause, weil er krank ist.”

“Ich hoffe, dass du mich verstehst.”

Reference Table

Reference table for Verb Position After Conjunctions (Word Order)
Form Structure Example
Main Clause
Subj + Verb + Obj
Ich kaufe das {das|n} Brot.
Subordinate
Conj + Subj + Obj + Verb
..., weil ich das {das|n} Brot kaufe.
Modal Verb
Conj + Subj + Obj + Inf + Modal
..., weil ich das {das|n} Brot kaufen will.
Separable
Conj + Subj + Obj + Prefix + Root
..., weil ich heute ankomme.
Question (Indirect)
Conj + Subj + Obj + Verb
Ich frage, ob er kommt.
Negative
Conj + Subj + nicht + Obj + Verb
..., weil er nicht kommt.

Formality Spectrum

Formal
Ich bleibe zu Hause, da ich erschöpft bin.

Ich bleibe zu Hause, da ich erschöpft bin. (Daily life)

Neutral
Ich bleibe zu Hause, weil ich müde bin.

Ich bleibe zu Hause, weil ich müde bin. (Daily life)

Informal
Ich bleib daheim, weil ich müde bin.

Ich bleib daheim, weil ich müde bin. (Daily life)

Slang
Bleib daheim, weil bin müde.

Bleib daheim, weil bin müde. (Daily life)

Clause Types

German Clauses

Main

  • V2 Verb Second

Subordinate

  • V-End Verb Final

Main vs Subordinate

Main
Ich gehe I go
Subordinate
weil ich gehe because I go

Verb Placement Logic

1

Is it a subordinate clause?

YES
Verb to the end
NO
Verb to position 2

Common Conjunctions

⏰

Time

  • • wenn
  • • während
  • • nachdem
❓

Reason

  • • weil
  • • da
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Examples by Level

1

Ich lerne, weil ich Deutsch mag.

I learn because I like German.

2

Er sagt, dass er kommt.

He says that he is coming.

3

Ich weiß, dass du hier bist.

I know that you are here.

4

Wir essen, weil wir Hunger haben.

We eat because we are hungry.

1

Obwohl es regnet, gehe ich raus.

Although it is raining, I am going out.

2

Wenn ich Zeit habe, rufe ich an.

If I have time, I will call.

3

Während ich koche, höre ich Musik.

While I am cooking, I listen to music.

4

Ich hoffe, dass du mich verstehst.

I hope that you understand me.

1

Da ich krank bin, bleibe ich zu Hause.

Since I am sick, I am staying home.

2

Er fragte mich, ob ich mitkomme.

He asked me if I am coming along.

3

Nachdem ich gegessen hatte, ging ich.

After I had eaten, I left.

4

Bevor wir gehen, müssen wir bezahlen.

Before we leave, we must pay.

1

Es ist wichtig, dass man die Regeln beachtet.

It is important that one follows the rules.

2

Obgleich er müde war, arbeitete er weiter.

Although he was tired, he kept working.

3

Soweit ich weiß, ist das Büro geschlossen.

As far as I know, the office is closed.

4

Damit du es verstehst, erkläre ich es.

So that you understand it, I will explain it.

1

Indem man viel liest, verbessert man sein Vokabular.

By reading a lot, one improves one's vocabulary.

2

Sofern keine Einwände bestehen, beginnen wir.

Provided there are no objections, we will begin.

3

Ungeachtet dessen, dass er recht hatte, entschuldigte er sich.

Regardless of the fact that he was right, he apologized.

4

Je mehr man übt, desto besser wird man.

The more one practices, the better one gets.

1

Obgleich der Umstand, dass er fehlte, bekannt war, handelte man nicht.

Although the fact that he was missing was known, no action was taken.

2

Wiewohl er sich bemühte, blieb der Erfolg aus.

Although he tried, success did not come.

3

Insofern als das Ergebnis vorliegt, können wir planen.

Insofar as the result is available, we can plan.

4

Sollte es regnen, findet das Fest drinnen statt.

Should it rain, the party will take place inside.

Easily Confused

Verb Position After Conjunctions (Word Order) vs Coordinating vs Subordinating

Learners think all conjunctions change word order.

Common Mistakes

✗

Ich weiß, dass er kommt heute.

✓

Ich weiß, dass er heute kommt.

Verb must be at the end.
✗

Weil er ist krank, bleibt er.

✓

Weil er krank ist, bleibt er.

Verb must be at the end of the subordinate clause.
✗

Ich hoffe, dass du anrufst mich.

✓

Ich hoffe, dass du mich anrufst.

Separable prefix must stay at the end.
✗

Obwohl er hatte gewusst, sagte er nichts.

✓

Obwohl er gewusst hatte, sagte er nichts.

In perfect tenses, the auxiliary verb goes to the end.

Sentence Patterns

Ich weiß, dass ___ ___ .

Weil ___ ___ , ___ ich ___ .

Real World Usage

Texting constant

Kommst du, weil du Zeit hast?

Job Interview very common

Ich bewerbe mich, weil ich Erfahrung habe.

Social Media common

Ich finde, dass das super ist!

Travel common

Ich frage, ob der Zug fährt.

Food Delivery occasional

Ich bestelle, weil ich Hunger habe.

Academic Writing constant

Obgleich die Daten zeigen...

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💡

The 'Verb-Last' Mantra

Whenever you see a subordinating conjunction, repeat 'Verb-Last' to yourself.
⚠️

Don't forget the prefix

Separable verbs are tricky. The prefix stays at the end!
🎯

Plan ahead

In German, you must know the end of your sentence before you start.
💬

Formal vs Informal

Use 'da' instead of 'weil' in formal writing.

Smart Tips

Put a comma before the conjunction and move the verb to the end.

Ich gehe weil ich müde bin. → Ich gehe, weil ich müde bin.

The modal verb is the conjugated one, so it goes to the end.

..., weil ich will gehen. → ..., weil ich gehen will.

Don't separate the prefix in a subordinate clause!

..., weil er an kommt. → ..., weil er ankommt.

The auxiliary verb (haben/sein) goes to the very end.

..., weil er hat gegessen. → ..., weil er gegessen hat.

Pronunciation

↗

Intonation

Subordinate clauses often have a rising intonation at the end of the clause before the main clause.

Rising-Falling

Weil ich müde bin ↗, schlafe ich ↘.

Standard complex sentence flow.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Subordinate clauses are like a magnet: they pull the verb to the very end.

Visual Association

Imagine a train. The locomotive (the verb) is usually in the second carriage, but when a 'conjunction' signal is given, it uncouples and rolls all the way to the back of the train.

Rhyme

When 'weil' or 'dass' you see, the verb at the end must be.

Story

Imagine a German verb named 'Verbi'. Verbi loves being in the second position. But whenever he sees the 'Conjunction Gang' (weil, dass, wenn), he gets scared and runs to the very back of the room to hide.

Word Web

weildassobwohlwennwährendda

Challenge

Write 5 sentences starting with 'Ich weiß, dass...' and finish them with different activities.

Cultural Notes

Germans value precision. Using the correct word order is seen as a sign of education and respect for the language structure.

In spoken Austrian German, you might hear more flexibility, but the verb-final rule remains standard.

Swiss German speakers often use 'wo' as a relative pronoun, but in standard German, they follow the V-final rule strictly.

The verb-final position is a remnant of the Proto-Germanic SOV structure.

Conversation Starters

“

Warum lernst du Deutsch?

“

Was machst du, wenn du Zeit hast?

“

Was denkst du, dass sich in der Zukunft ändern wird?

“

Obwohl das Wetter schlecht ist, was machst du?

Journal Prompts

Schreibe über deinen Tag.
Warum hast du dich entschieden, Deutsch zu lernen?
Was sind deine Pläne für das nächste Jahr?
Diskutiere ein aktuelles Thema.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Fill in the verb.

Ich weiß, dass er heute ___ (kommen).

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: kommt
Verb at the end.
Choose the correct order. Multiple Choice

Weil ich müde ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: bin
Verb at the end.
Fix the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Ich gehe, weil habe ich Hunger.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ich gehe, weil ich Hunger habe.
Subj + Obj + Verb.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

Arrange the words in the correct order:

All words placed

Click words above to build the sentence

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ich weiß, dass er kommt.
Standard order.
Translate. Translation

Although it is raining, I go.

Answer starts with: Obw...

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Obwohl es regnet, gehe ich.
V2 in main clause after sub-clause.
Match the conjunction. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: weil
Weil triggers V-final.
Conjugate the verb. Conjugation Drill

Weil wir ___ (sein) müde.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: sind
Correct conjugation.
Build a sentence. Sentence Building

Ich / hoffe / dass / du / kommst.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ich hoffe, dass du kommst.
Standard order.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the verb.

Ich weiß, dass er heute ___ (kommen).

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: kommt
Verb at the end.
Choose the correct order. Multiple Choice

Weil ich müde ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: bin
Verb at the end.
Fix the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Ich gehe, weil habe ich Hunger.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ich gehe, weil ich Hunger habe.
Subj + Obj + Verb.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

dass / er / kommt / ich / weiß

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ich weiß, dass er kommt.
Standard order.
Translate. Translation

Although it is raining, I go.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Obwohl es regnet, gehe ich.
V2 in main clause after sub-clause.
Match the conjunction. Match Pairs

Reason?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: weil
Weil triggers V-final.
Conjugate the verb. Conjugation Drill

Weil wir ___ (sein) müde.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: sind
Correct conjugation.
Build a sentence. Sentence Building

Ich / hoffe / dass / du / kommst.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ich hoffe, dass du kommst.
Standard order.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

10 exercises
Put the words in the correct order. Sentence Reorder

krank / weil / ich / bin / bleibe / ich / zu Hause

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Weil ich krank bin, bleibe ich zu Hause.
Translate the sentence into German. Translation

I am tired, nevertheless I am working.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ich bin müde, trotzdem arbeite ich.
Choose the correct conjunction. Multiple Choice

Ich kann heute nicht kommen, ___ ich habe viel zu tun.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: denn
Fill in the blank. Fill in the Blank

Obwohl es regnet, ___ er keinen Regenschirm.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: hat
Match the conjunction to its word order rule. Match Pairs

Match the following:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: und : Position 0, dass : Verb at the end, daher : Inversion
Fix the position of the verb. Error Correction

Ich glaube, dass er kommt heute nicht.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ich glaube, dass er heute nicht kommt.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

gehe / ich / spazieren / oder / ich / sehe / fern

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ich gehe spazieren oder ich sehe fern.
Translate using 'obwohl'. Translation

Although it is cold, she is wearing a T-shirt.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Obwohl es kalt ist, trägt sie ein T-Shirt.
Fill in the blank. Fill in the Blank

Entweder du kommst jetzt, ___ ich gehe allein.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: oder
Pick the right structure. Multiple Choice

Which one uses 'zwar... aber' correctly?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Zwar bin ich müde, aber ich arbeite.

Score: /10

FAQ (8)

It's a structural rule to mark the end of a subordinate clause.

Yes, all conjugated verbs move to the end.

The modal verb goes to the end, the infinitive stays before it.

In very casual speech, people sometimes forget, but it's considered incorrect.

Very few, mostly in poetic or archaic language.

Write sentences and underline the verb.

Both go to the end, usually in reverse order.

No, 'dass', 'obwohl', 'wenn' also do this.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

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In Other Languages

Spanish low

SVO

Verb position is fixed in Spanish.

French low

SVO

No verb-final rule.

Japanese high

SOV

Japanese doesn't have V2 main clauses.

Arabic low

VSO

Verb placement is totally different.

Chinese low

SVO

No verb movement.

English low

SVO

English subordinate clauses look like main clauses.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Next
German Subordinate Clauses: The Verb-Last Rule (Nebensätze)

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German Subordinate Clauses: The Verb-Last Rule (Nebensätze)

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German Word Order: Pronouns Jump the Queue (Acc. Pronoun + Dat. Noun)

Ever felt like German word order is a game of Tetris where the blocks keep changing shape? You finally memorize the rule...
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Connecting Ideas: Using 'therefore' and 'anyway' (deshalb, trotzdem)

Ever felt like your German sentences are just a long string of `und` or `aber`? You want to explain why you're late to t...
A1

German Word Order: The Verb in Second Position (V2 Rule)

Overview German sentence structure operates on a principle known as **Verb-Zweitstellung** (Verb-Second Position), or si...
A1

German Word Order: Subject-Verb-Object (SVO)

Overview German sentence structure, at its most fundamental level, operates on principles distinct from English, yet sha...
B2

German Negation: No vs Not (kein vs nicht)

Overview German negation, specifically the distinction between `kein` and `nicht`, represents a fundamental aspect of pr...
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