German conjugation explanation

Verb prefix placement in dependent clauses

<p>In German main clauses, verbs with

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext" href="/conjugationExplanation/german_seperable_prefixes/" target="_blank">separable prefixes</a>

<p>In a dependent clause, the conjugated verb moves to the very end of the sentence. Because the verb is now at the end, it <strong>rejoins its prefix</strong>. They are written as one word again.</p>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_title">Main Clause vs. Dependent Clause</div>

<p>Observe how the verb

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext verb_link" href="/study/conjugations/ger/zur%C3%BCckkommen/" title="Click to see conjugations for zurückkommen" target="_blank">zurückkommen</a>

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<div><strong>Main Clause:</strong></div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Ich <span class="green_emphasis">komme</span> bald <span class="green_emphasis">zurück</span>. (<span style="font-style: italic;">I am coming back soon.</span>)</div>

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<div><strong>Dependent Clause:</strong></div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Warte, bis ich <span class="green_emphasis">zurückkomme</span>. (<span style="font-style: italic;">Wait until I come back.</span>)</div>

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</ul>

<p>Dependent clauses cannot stand alone and are usually introduced by specific signal words. Below are the common types of dependent clauses where this rule applies.</p>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_title">1. Subordinating Conjunctions</div>

<p>Common subjunctions include <strong style="font-style: italic;">dass, weil, wenn, als, bis, obwohl,</strong> and <strong style="font-style: italic;">während</strong>. The prefix stays attached to the verb at the end.</p>

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<li>

<div><strong>

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext verb_link" href="/study/conjugations/ger/aufwachsen/" title="Click to see conjugations for aufwachsen" target="_blank">aufwachsen</a>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Ich will nicht, <span class="in_word_highlight">dass</span> unser Kind hier <span class="green_emphasis">aufwächst</span>. (<span style="font-style: italic;">I don't want our child to grow up here.</span>)</div>

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<div><strong>

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext verb_link" href="/study/conjugations/ger/aufwachen/" title="Click to see conjugations for aufwachen" target="_blank">aufwachen</a>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Er ist immer müde, <span class="in_word_highlight">weil</span> er nachts oft <span class="green_emphasis">aufwacht</span>. (<span style="font-style: italic;">He is always tired because he often wakes up at night.</span>)</div>

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<div><strong>

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext verb_link" href="/study/conjugations/ger/abbrechen/" title="Click to see conjugations for abbrechen" target="_blank">abbrechen</a>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Es war schon dunkel, <span class="in_word_highlight">als</span> sie das Spiel <span class="green_emphasis">abbrachen</span>. (<span style="font-style: italic;">It was already dark when they canceled the game.</span>)</div>

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<div class="conjugation_explanation_title">2. Indirect Questions</div>

<p>Indirect questions are introduced by question words like <strong style="font-style: italic;">was, wann, warum, wer, wie, wo</strong>. These also function as dependent clauses.</p>

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<li>

<div><strong>

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext verb_link" href="/study/conjugations/ger/vorhaben/" title="Click to see conjugations for vorhaben" target="_blank">vorhaben</a>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Es ist mir egal, <span class="in_word_highlight">was</span> du morgen <span class="green_emphasis">vorhast</span>. (<span style="font-style: italic;">I don't care what you're planning to do tomorrow.</span>)</div>

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<div><strong>

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext verb_link" href="/study/conjugations/ger/ankommen/" title="Click to see conjugations for ankommen" target="_blank">ankommen</a>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Weißt du, <span class="in_word_highlight">wann</span> der nächste Zug <span class="green_emphasis">ankommt</span>? (<span style="font-style: italic;">Do you know when the next train arrives?</span>)</div>

</li>

</ul>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_title">3. Relative Clauses</div>

<p>Clauses introduced by a relative pronoun (<strong style="font-style: italic;">der, die, das, welche</strong>, etc.) also follow this rule.</p>

<ul>

<li>

<div><strong>

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext verb_link" href="/study/conjugations/ger/eintreten/" title="Click to see conjugations for eintreten" target="_blank">eintreten</a>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Lasst, <span class="in_word_highlight">die</span> ihr <span class="green_emphasis">eintretet</span>, alle Hoffnung fahren. (<span style="font-style: italic;">Abandon hope, all ye who enter here.</span>)</div>

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<div><strong>

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext verb_link" href="/study/conjugations/ger/zuh%C3%B6ren/" title="Click to see conjugations for zuhören" target="_blank">zuhören</a>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Sie ist eine Freundin, <span class="in_word_highlight">die</span> immer gut <span class="green_emphasis">zuhört</span>. (<span style="font-style: italic;">She is a friend who always listens well.</span>)</div>

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<div class="conjugation_explanation_title">4. Conditional Clauses</div>

<p>Conditional clauses starting with <strong style="font-style: italic;">wenn</strong> (if/when) strictly maintain the prefix attachment.</p>

<ul>

<li>

<div><strong>

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext verb_link" href="/study/conjugations/ger/auftreten/" title="Click to see conjugations for auftreten" target="_blank">auftreten</a>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence"><span class="in_word_highlight">Wenn</span> Schwierigkeiten <span class="green_emphasis">auftreten</span>, ruf mich an! (<span style="font-style: italic;">If difficulties arise, give me a call!</span>)</div>

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<div><strong>

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext verb_link" href="/study/conjugations/ger/ausbreiten/" title="Click to see conjugations for ausbreiten" target="_blank">ausbreiten</a>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence"><span class="in_word_highlight">Wenn</span> sich das Feuer <span class="green_emphasis">ausbreitet</span>, müssen wir fliehen. (<span style="font-style: italic;">If the fire spreads, we have to flee.</span>)</div>

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