Dependent Clause For Intermediate learners
What is a Dependent Clause?
A dependent clause which is also known as subordinate clause is a clause that cannot be considered complete since it always needs a main clause. A dependent clause has a different word order from a main clause.
Dependent clauses can be categorized into finite and non-finite clauses depending on whether the verb is conjugated or not.
Finite Subordinate Clauses
Finite subordinate clauses are those clauses that require a conjugated verb. A finite subordinate clause starts with a subordinating conjunction and ends with a conjugated verb. Usually the main clause comes before the subordinate clause, however, the opposite order is also possible for more emphasis. A comma always separates the main and subordinate clause.
These clauses can be listed as follows:
Dass-Clauses
Indirect Questions
Relative Clauses
Adverbial Clauses
Dass-Clauses (dass-SĂ€tze)
A dass-clause is a dependent clause that starts with "dass" and ends with a verb.
[dass] + [Subject] + [Middle Field] + [Verb]
Ich weiĂ, dass du morgen kommst.
I know that you are coming tomorrow.
Es ist klar, dass er Recht hat.
It is clear that he is right.
Dass sie gewonnen hat, freut mich sehr.
That she won makes me very happy.
Indirect Questions (Indirekte FragesÀtze)
An indirect question starts with "ob" or a w-word and ends with a verb.
[Ob/W-word] + [Subject] + [Middle Field] + [Verb]
Here the common W-words in German:
wer | who |
|---|---|
was | what |
wann | when |
wo | where |
warum | why |
wie | how |
welcher/welche/welches | which |
wessen | whose |
wem | to whom/for whom |
wen | whom |
Ich frage mich, ob sie heute kommt.
I wonder if she is coming today.
Er weiĂ nicht, ob das richtig ist.
He doesn't know if that is correct.
Sag mir, wo du wohnst.
Tell me where you live.
Ich verstehe nicht, warum er so handelt.
I don't understand why he acts that way.
Relative Clauses (RelativsÀtze)
A relative clause is a clause that starts with a relative pronoun and ends with a verb.
[Relative Pronoun] + [Subject] + [Middle Field] + [Verb]
Here are the relative pronouns in German:
Nom | Acc | Dat | Gen | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Masculine | der | den | dem | dessen |
Feminine | die | die | der | deren |
Neuter | das | das | dem | dessen |
Plural | die | die | denen | deren |
Der Mann, der dort steht, ist mein Onkel.
The man who is standing there is my uncle.
(masculine nominative)
Die Frau, die ich gestern gesehen habe, ist Lehrerin.
The woman whom I saw yesterday is a teacher.
(Feminine Accusative)
Das Kind, dem ich helfe, ist mein Nachbar.
The child I am helping is my neighbor.
(Neuter Dative)
Die Leute, deren Auto gestohlen wurde, sind sehr traurig.
The people whose car was stolen are very sad.
(Plural Genitive)
Adverbial Clauses (AdverbialsÀtze)
An adverbial clause starts with a conjunction and ends with a verb.
[Conjunction] + [Subject] + [Middle Field] + [Verb]
Here is a list of common subordinating conjunctions in German:
weil | because |
|---|---|
da | since |
wenn | if/when |
falls | in case |
wenn | when/whenever |
bis | until |
bevor | before |
nachdem | after |
obwohl | although |
Als ich klein war, wohnte ich in Berlin.
When I was little, I lived in Berlin.
Bevor du gehst, musst du aufrÀumen.
Before you leave, you must clean up.
Ich bleibe zu Hause, weil ich krank bin.
I am staying home because I am sick.
Er lernt viel, damit er die PrĂŒfung besteht.
He studies a lot so that he passes the exam.
Non-Finite Subordinate Clause
Non-finite clauses are those that don't have a conjugated verb in them, and they are always dependent on a main clause.
These clauses can be listed as follows:
Infinitive Clauses
Participle Clauses
Infinitive Clauses
An infinitive clause usually functions as an object or an adverb. The main verb is in infinitive form, and it usually comes after "zu".
[âŠ] + [zu + infinitive from]
Er versucht, das Problem zu lösen.
He tries to solve the problem.
Sie beginnt, Deutsch zu lernen.
She begins to learn German.
Er kommt, um zu helfen.
He comes to help.
Sie ging, ohne sich zu verabschieden.
She left without saying goodbye.
Participle Clauses
A participle clause usually functions as an adverb. It requires a present or past participle.
Laut singend betrat er den Raum.
Singing loudly, he entered the room.
Present Participle - (Adverb + Participle)
Das Buch lesend saĂ sie im Garten.
Reading the book, she sat in the garden.
Present Participle - (Object + Participle)
Von der Nachricht ĂŒberrascht, war sie sprachlos.
Surprised by the news, she was speechless.
Past Participle - (Prepositional Phrase + Participle)
In Berlin angekommen, suchte er ein Hotel.
Having arrived in Berlin, he looked for a hotel.
Past Participle - (Place + Participle)
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