By the end of this lesson, I can…
- Apply: Rule 1: Use weil for reasons
- Apply: Rule 2: Use dass for the content of a thought or statement
- Apply: Rule 3: Put the conjugated verb at the end
- Apply: Rule 4: Use a comma between the clauses
- Usage, exceptions and meaning
Simple explanation
What is a subordinate clause in German?
A subordinate clause, called a Nebensatz in German, is a clause that is connected to a main clause and usually cannot stand alone with the same meaning. Words such as weil and dass introduce subordinate clauses. One important feature is word order: the conjugated verb normally moves to the end of the subordinate clause.
Using weil to give a reason
weil means “because” and is used when you want to explain why something happens or why someone does something. A weil-clause often answers the question Warum? For example: Ich bleibe zu Hause, weil ich krank bin. The second clause explains the reason for staying at home.
Using dass to introduce content
dass is similar to “that” in English. It often introduces the content of a thought, statement, opinion, hope, or piece of knowledge. It is common after verbs such as denken, glauben, sagen, wissen, hoffen, and finden. For example: Ich glaube, dass der Film interessant ist.
Why does the verb move to the end?
In a normal German main clause, the conjugated verb usually appears in position two. In a subordinate clause introduced by weil or dass, the conjugated verb normally moves to the end. Compare: Ich bin müde. and weil ich müde bin.
The comma between the two clauses
A main clause and a subordinate clause are separated by a comma. This applies to both weil and dass. For example: Maria sagt, dass sie später kommt. The comma is also used when the subordinate clause comes first.
When the subordinate clause comes first
A subordinate clause can come before the main clause. This is especially common with weil. For example: Weil ich morgen arbeiten muss, gehe ich heute früh ins Bett. The whole subordinate clause takes the first position, so the conjugated verb of the main clause follows immediately after the comma.
Separable verbs and modal verbs
With separable verbs, the prefix stays attached to the verb in a subordinate clause: weil ich früh aufstehe. With a modal verb, the infinitive normally comes before the conjugated modal verb at the end: weil ich heute arbeiten muss.
Usage, exceptions and meaning
Weil gives a reason; dass introduces reported content. They are not merely verb-moving devices. In this lesson’s standard written pattern, the finite verb is last: weil ich arbeiten muss. A separable prefix rejoins: dass er aufsteht. A subordinate clause first occupies one constituent position: Weil ich krank bin, bleibe ich… . Colloquial verb-second weil exists but is outside this written target.
Usage reference table
The table gives construction models. Meaning-question options follow the interface language; translated sentences appear in Examples.
| Pattern or function | Target-language model |
|---|---|
| Rule 1: Use weil for reasons | Ich bleibe zu Hause, weil ich krank bin. |
| Rule 2: Use dass for the content of a thought or statement | Ich glaube, dass Anna heute kommt. |
| Rule 3: Put the conjugated verb at the end | Ich bleibe zu Hause, weil ich müde bin. |
| Rule 3: Put the conjugated verb at the end | Ich glaube, dass Anna heute kommt. |
| Rule 6: Separable verbs stay together in subordinate clauses | Anna ist müde, weil sie früh aufsteht. |
| Rule 5: If the subordinate clause comes first, the main-clause verb follows immediately | Weil ich krank bin, bleibe ich zu Hause. |
Grammar formula
Main clause + weil-clause
Hauptsatz + , + weil + Subjekt + ... + VerbIch bleibe zu Hause, weil ich krank bin.
Main clause + dass-clause
Hauptsatz + , + dass + Subjekt + ... + VerbIch glaube, dass er heute kommt.
Subordinate clause first
Weil + Subjekt + ... + Verb + , + Verb + Subjekt + ...Weil es kalt ist, bleibe ich zu Hause.
Subordinate clause with modal verb
weil/dass + Subjekt + ... + Infinitiv + ModalverbIch gehe jetzt, weil ich arbeiten muss.
Subordinate clause with separable verb
weil/dass + Subjekt + ... + trennbares Verb als eine EinheitIch bin müde, weil ich jeden Tag früh aufstehe.
Core rules
- 1
Rule 1: Use weil for reasons
Use weil when the second clause explains why something happens. Example: Ich nehme einen Regenschirm mit, weil es regnet.
- 2
Rule 2: Use dass for the content of a thought or statement
Use dass when you introduce what someone thinks, says, knows, hopes, or believes. Example: Ich hoffe, dass du morgen kommst.
- 3
Rule 3: Put the conjugated verb at the end
In subordinate clauses with weil and dass, the conjugated verb normally goes to the end: weil ich keine Zeit habe; dass er heute arbeitet.
- 4
Rule 4: Use a comma between the clauses
A comma separates the main clause from the subordinate clause: Ich weiß, dass Anna in Berlin wohnt.
- 5
Rule 5: If the subordinate clause comes first, the main-clause verb follows immediately
When the subordinate clause is in first position, the conjugated verb of the main clause comes directly after the comma: Weil ich müde bin, gehe ich nach Hause.
- 6
Rule 6: Separable verbs stay together in subordinate clauses
The prefix is not separated in a subordinate clause: Ich bin müde, weil ich jeden Morgen früh aufstehe.
- 7
Rule 7: With modal verbs, the infinitive comes before the modal verb
In a subordinate clause with a modal verb, the infinitive comes before the conjugated modal: weil ich morgen arbeiten muss.
- 8
Usage, exceptions and meaning
Weil gives a reason; dass introduces reported content. They are not merely verb-moving devices. In this lesson’s standard written pattern, the finite verb is last: weil ich arbeiten muss. A separable prefix rejoins: dass er aufsteht. A subordinate clause first occupies one constituent position: Weil ich krank bin, bleibe ich… . Colloquial verb-second weil exists but is outside this written target.
Useful examples
Ich bleibe heute zu Hause, weil ich krank bin.
I am staying at home today because I am sick.
weil introduces the reason, and bin moves to the end of the subordinate clause.
Wir fahren mit dem Bus, weil das Wetter schlecht ist.
We are taking the bus because the weather is bad.
ist is the conjugated verb and appears at the end of the weil-clause.
Sie lernt jeden Abend Deutsch, weil sie in Deutschland arbeiten möchte.
She studies German every evening because she would like to work in Germany.
With the modal verb möchte, the infinitive arbeiten comes before it.
Weil ich morgen früh arbeiten muss, gehe ich heute früh ins Bett.
Because I have to work early tomorrow, I am going to bed early tonight.
The subordinate clause comes first, so gehe follows immediately after the comma.
Er kauft nichts, weil er kein Geld dabei hat.
He is not buying anything because he has no money with him.
hat stands at the end of the subordinate clause.
Ich glaube, dass Anna heute keine Zeit hat.
I think that Anna does not have time today.
dass introduces the content of what the speaker believes.
Sie sagt, dass der Kurs um neun Uhr beginnt.
She says that the course starts at nine o’clock.
beginnt moves to the end of the dass-clause.
Wir wissen, dass du sehr gut Deutsch sprichst.
We know that you speak German very well.
wissen is commonly followed by a dass-clause when introducing known information.
Ich hoffe, dass wir uns am Wochenende sehen.
I hope that we see each other at the weekend.
dass introduces the content of the speaker’s hope.
Meine Schwester findet, dass die Wohnung zu klein ist.
My sister thinks that the apartment is too small.
finden can be used to express an opinion, followed by a dass-clause.
Ich bin müde, weil ich jeden Morgen um sechs Uhr aufstehe.
I am tired because I get up at six every morning.
The separable verb aufstehen stays together as aufstehe in the subordinate clause.
Er sagt, dass er morgen nicht kommen kann.
He says that he cannot come tomorrow.
With a modal verb, kommen appears before the conjugated modal kann.
Common mistakes
- ❌ Ich bleibe zu Hause, denn ich krank bin. ✅ Ich bleibe zu Hause, weil ich krank bin.
- ❌ Ich glaube, denn Anna heute kommt. ✅ Ich glaube, dass Anna heute kommt.
- ❌ Ich bleibe zu Hause, weil ich müde ist. ✅ Ich bleibe zu Hause, weil ich müde bin.
- ❌ Ich glaube, dass Anna heute kommen. ✅ Ich glaube, dass Anna heute kommt.
- ❌ Anna ist müde, weil sie früh steht auf. ✅ Anna ist müde, weil sie früh aufsteht.
- ❌ Weil ich krank bin, ich bleibe zu Hause. ✅ Weil ich krank bin, bleibe ich zu Hause.
Learning tips
- Ask yourself whether the second clause answers Warum? If it does, weil is usually the right choice.
- For dass, ask what someone thinks, says, knows, hopes, or believes.
- After writing weil or dass, check whether the conjugated verb is at the end of the subordinate clause.
- Learn useful chunks such as Ich glaube, dass ... and Ich bleibe zu Hause, weil ... instead of memorizing the conjunctions alone.
- When a subordinate clause comes first, remember that the main-clause verb follows directly after the comma.
- Do not separate the prefix of a separable verb inside a subordinate clause.
- With modal verbs, keep the infinitive before the conjugated modal verb at the end.
Use it in your own text
Write six connected sentences about your life, plans or experiences, using each table pattern once. Check why each construction fits, using this lesson’s rules. This is self-assessment; the multiple-choice test has a separate recorded score.
- Write a new sentence about yourself using table pattern 1.
- Write a new sentence about yourself using table pattern 2.
- Write a new sentence about yourself using table pattern 3.
- Write a new sentence about yourself using table pattern 4.
- Write a new sentence about yourself using table pattern 5.
- Write a new sentence about yourself using table pattern 6.
Show the model
Ich bleibe zu Hause, weil ich krank bin. Ich glaube, dass Anna heute kommt. Ich bleibe zu Hause, weil ich müde bin. Ich glaube, dass Anna heute kommt. Anna ist müde, weil sie früh aufsteht. Weil ich krank bin, bleibe ich zu Hause.
Check your own work
- My intended meaning fits the chosen construction.
- I checked subject, verb form, case/preposition and word order.
- I adapted the models to my own context and considered the exceptions.
Put it into practice
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Related grammar
Frequently asked questions
What should I check for “Rule 1: Use weil for reasons”?
Use weil when the second clause explains why something happens. Example: Ich nehme einen Regenschirm mit, weil es regnet.
What should I check for “Rule 2: Use dass for the content of a thought or statement”?
Use dass when you introduce what someone thinks, says, knows, hopes, or believes. Example: Ich hoffe, dass du morgen kommst.
What should I check for “Rule 3: Put the conjugated verb at the end”?
In subordinate clauses with weil and dass, the conjugated verb normally goes to the end: weil ich keine Zeit habe; dass er heute arbeitet.
What should I check for “Rule 4: Use a comma between the clauses”?
A comma separates the main clause from the subordinate clause: Ich weiß, dass Anna in Berlin wohnt.
What should I check for “Rule 5: If the subordinate clause comes first, the main-clause verb follows immediately”?
When the subordinate clause is in first position, the conjugated verb of the main clause comes directly after the comma: Weil ich müde bin, gehe ich nach Hause.
What should I check for “Rule 6: Separable verbs stay together in subordinate clauses”?
The prefix is not separated in a subordinate clause: Ich bin müde, weil ich jeden Morgen früh aufstehe.
What should I check for “Rule 7: With modal verbs, the infinitive comes before the modal verb”?
In a subordinate clause with a modal verb, the infinitive comes before the conjugated modal: weil ich morgen arbeiten muss.
What should I check for “Usage, exceptions and meaning”?
Weil gives a reason; dass introduces reported content. They are not merely verb-moving devices. In this lesson’s standard written pattern, the finite verb is last: weil ich arbeiten muss. A separable prefix rejoins: dass er aufsteht. A subordinate clause first occupies one constituent position: Weil ich krank bin, bleibe ich… . Colloquial verb-second weil exists but is outside this written target.
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