Subordinating Conjunctions For Intermediate learners
What Are Subordinating Conjunctions?
Subordinating conjunctions are words that introduce a dependent (subordinate) clause and link it to a main clause. Unlike coordinating conjunctions, they do not connect elements of equal status. Subordinating conjunctions are best understood by the logical relationship they express. The most important categories are:
Cause and Reason
Time
Condition
Purpose
Contrast and Concession
Result and Consequence
Cause and Reason
This type of conjunctions explain why something happens. They answer the question Warum? and introduce information that motivates or explains the main clause.
weil (because)
da (since / as)
Weil (because)
Weil introduces a direct and concrete reason for the action in the main clause. It is the most common way to express cause in German and is used frequently in both spoken and written language.
Ich gehe früh nach Hause, weil ich morgen arbeiten muss.
I'm going home early because I have to work tomorrow.
Da (since / as)
Da also expresses reason, but it typically refers to a cause that is already known, obvious, or shared between speaker and listener. It is more common in formal, written, or structured speech and is frequently placed at the beginning of the sentence.
Da das Wetter schlecht ist, bleiben wir zu Hause.
Since the weather is bad, we're staying at home.
Da er keine Zeit hat, kommt er später.
As he has no time, he'll come later.
Time
This type of conjunctions describes when something happens and clarifies the temporal relationship between events. They can refer to past, present, or future actions and help establish sequence, simultaneity, or repetition.
wenn (when / if)
als (when)
während (while)
bevor (before)
nachdem (after)
Wenn (when / if)
Wenn is used for events in the present or future, as well as for repeated actions in the past. It can also express conditional meaning, which makes it one of the most flexible subordinating conjunctions in German.
Wenn ich Zeit habe, lese ich ein Buch.
When I have time, I read a book.
Wenn es morgen regnet, bleiben wir zu Hause.
If it rains tomorrow, we'll stay at home.
Als (when)
Als is used exclusively for one-time events in the past. It refers to a specific moment or period that is completed and cannot be repeated.
Als ich das erste Mal in Deutschland war, war ich nervös.
When I was in Germany for the first time, I was nervous.
Während (while)
Während expresses that two actions happen at the same time. In many contexts, it also highlights a contrast between parallel actions or situations.
Während er arbeitet, hört er Musik.
While he's working, he listens to music.
Bevor (before)
Bevor introduces an action that takes place later than the action in the main clause. It often appears at the beginning of the sentence to prepare the listener for what happens next.
Bevor ich gehe, schreibe ich noch eine E-Mail.
Before I leave, I write one more email.
Ich überprüfe alles noch einmal, bevor ich es abschicke.
I check everything again before I send it.
Nachdem (after)
Nachdem introduces an action that is completed before the action in the main clause. It emphasizes sequence and completion and is often paired with the past perfect in more formal or precise usage.
Nachdem er gegessen hatte, ging er spazieren.
After he had eaten, he went for a walk.
Condition
This type of conjunctions expresses the circumstances under which something happens. The action in the main clause depends on whether the condition in the subordinate clause is fulfilled.
wenn (if)
falls (if )
Wenn (if)
Wenn introduces a realistic, likely, or generally possible condition. The speaker assumes that the condition may realistically happen or is part of a general rule or expectation.
Wenn du regelmäßig übst, wirst du schneller besser.
If you practice regularly, you will improve faster.
Wir gehen spazieren, wenn das Wetter besser wird.
We go for a walk if the weather improves.
Falls (if / in case)
Falls expresses a more uncertain or hypothetical condition. It suggests that the speaker considers the condition less likely and is merely preparing for the possibility.
Falls du Fragen hast, kannst du mich anrufen.
In case you have questions, you can call me.
Du kannst mir schreiben, falls du später Hilfe brauchst.
You can message me if you need help later.
Purpose
This type of conjunctions explains why an action is done intentionally. The focus is not on what actually happens, but on the intended goal or objective behind the action in the main clause.
damit (so that / in order that)
um … zu (in order to)
Damit (so that / in order that)
Damit introduces a purpose clause that expresses the intended goal or outcome of an action. The focus is on the reason behind the action in the main clause.
Damit alle es verstehen, erkläre ich es langsam.
So that everyone understands it, I explain it slowly.
Ich spreche deutlicher, damit meine Kollegen alles verstehen.
I speak more clearly so that my colleagues understand everything.
Um … zu (in order to)
Um … zu is used when both clauses share the same subject and allows the speaker to express purpose concisely through an infinitive construction.
Um fitter zu werden, trainiert sie dreimal pro Woche.
In order to get fitter, she trains three times a week.
Contrast and Concession
This type of conjunctions introduces information that runs counter to expectations or contrasts two ideas, situations, or characteristics.
obwohl (although)
während (whereas / while)
Obwohl (although)
Obwohl signals that the result in the main clause occurs despite an opposing condition expressed in the subordinate clause.
Sie ging zur Arbeit, obwohl sie starke Kopfschmerzen hatte.
She went to work although she had a severe headache.
Während (whereas / while)
Während in its contrastive use highlights a direct comparison between two different behaviors, preferences, or situations rather than expressing a temporal relationship.
Während viele lieber online einkaufen, bevorzugt er kleine Läden.
Whereas many prefer shopping online, he prefers small shops.
Er arbeitet früh am Morgen, während seine Kollegen erst mittags beginnen.
He works early in the morning, while his colleagues only start at noon.
Result and Consequence
This type of conjunctions describes a real and observable outcome that follows from the situation described in the main clause.
sodass / so dass (so that / as a result)
Sodass / so dass (so that / as a result)
Sodass introduces a consequence that actually occurs, often highlighting the effect rather than the cause.
Der Sturm war heftig, sodass mehrere Flüge gestrichen wurden.
The storm was strong enough so that several flights were canceled.
Word Order in German Subordinate Clauses
Subordinate clauses introduced by subordinating conjunctions place the conjugated verb at the end. They can come before or after the main clause. If they come after, the main clause keeps its normal word order. If they come first, the main clause verb moves to the first position (inversion). The subordinate clause verb always stays at the end.
Grammatical Note
Subordinate clauses are always separated by a comma. If the subordinate clause comes after the main clause, the comma is placed before it. If the subordinate clause comes first, the comma separates it from the main clause.
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