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German grammar · A2

German Subordinate Clauses: Weil, Dass and Wenn

A subordinate clause is a half-sentence that cannot stand alone, introduced by a word such as weil, dass or wenn. German marks it in a way English does not: the conjugated verb moves to the very end.

The verb goes last

Ich komme nicht, weil ich heute arbeite. The verb arbeite sits at the end of its clause, not in second position.

If the clause has more than one verb, the conjugated one still goes last, behind the infinitive or participle: …weil ich arbeiten muss, …weil ich gearbeitet habe. This ordering feels backwards at first and is worth drilling as a whole phrase rather than assembling word by word.

If the subordinate clause comes first, the whole clause counts as the first element of the main sentence, so the main verb follows immediately: Weil ich arbeite, komme ich nicht. Two verbs end up next to each other, separated by a comma — which is correct and is a good sign you have built it properly.

Weil or denn, wenn or als

Weil and denn both mean because, but they behave differently. Weil sends the verb to the end; denn does not touch the word order at all: Ich komme nicht, denn ich arbeite heute.

Wenn covers if, and when for something repeated or in the future. Als is when for a single completed event in the past: Als ich ein Kind war…. Using wenn for a one-off past event is one of the most persistent A2 errors.

Examples

• Er lernt Deutsch, weil er in Deutschland arbeiten möchte.He learns German because he wants to work in Germany.
• Ich weiß, dass Maria morgen kommt.I know that Maria is coming tomorrow.

Mistakes to avoid

The two errors are leaving the verb in second position inside the subordinate clause, and using wenn where a single past event calls for als.

• ✗ Ich lerne Deutsch, weil ich möchte in Berlin arbeiten.✓ Ich lerne Deutsch, weil ich in Berlin arbeiten möchte.
• ✗ Weil es regnet, ich bleibe zu Hause.✓ Weil es regnet, bleibe ich zu Hause.
• ✗ Er sagt, das er keine Zeit hat.✓ Er sagt, dass er keine Zeit hat.
• ✗ Wenn ich habe Zeit, besuche ich dich.✓ Wenn ich Zeit habe, besuche ich dich.
• ✗ Ich weiß nicht, weil er nicht da ist.✓ Ich weiß nicht, warum er nicht da ist.

How this is tested in the exam

From A2 onwards, examiners are looking for sentences that connect ideas rather than list them. A Schreiben text made only of short main clauses is marked down on range however accurate it is, and weil is the cheapest way to show connected thought. In Sprechen, giving a reason for an opinion requires exactly this structure.

Frequently asked questions

Why does the verb go to the end after weil?

Because weil introduces a subordinate clause, and German marks subordinate clauses by moving the conjugated verb to the final position. The same applies after dass, wenn, als, obwohl and others.

What is the difference between weil and denn?

Both mean because. Weil sends the verb to the end of its clause; denn leaves the word order untouched, because it joins two main clauses rather than introducing a subordinate one.

When do I use wenn and when als?

Wenn for if, and for when about something repeated or in the future. Als for when about a single completed event in the past: Als ich in Berlin war.

What happens if the subordinate clause comes first?

It counts as the first element of the sentence, so the main verb comes straight after the comma: Weil ich arbeite, komme ich nicht.