Nebensatzverknüpfungen

Nebensatzverknüpfungen, also known as subordinate clause connectors, are words or phrases in German that introduce and link a subordinate clause (Nebensatz) to a main clause (Hauptsatz). These connectors establish a specific logical relationship between the two clauses, indicating cause, time, condition, concession, purpose, or other connections.

Common Nebensatzverknüpfungen include subordinating conjunctions such as weil (because), da (since/as), obwohl (although), wenn (if/when), als (when, for past events), bevor (before), nachdem (after), damit (so that), dass (that), and so dass (so that). Relative pronouns like der, die, das, welcher, welche, welches also function as connectors, introducing relative clauses that provide additional information about a noun or pronoun in the main clause.

The presence of a Nebensatzverknüpfung dictates a specific word order in the subordinate clause. The conjugated verb in a subordinate clause is typically moved to the very end of the clause, following all other elements, including adverbs and objects. This distinct verb-final position is a key grammatical feature distinguishing subordinate clauses from main clauses in German. Understanding and correctly using Nebensatzverknüpfungen is crucial for constructing complex and grammatically accurate German sentences.