complex german sentence structure

Here's a list of your most common coordinating conjunctions followed by some example sentences so you can see them in action: Our second type of conjunctions are called subordinating conjunctions. In subordinate clauses that make use of two or more infinitives consecutively (a phenomenon known as Doppelinfinitiv ("double infinitive") with two infinitives), the conjugated verb (generally haben, werden, or a modal verb), comes before (or between) the two (or more) infinitives. The independent clause is a sentence that can stand alone and still make sense, but a dependent one needs the independent clause in order to be understood. What you’re about to see might scare you. In the midfield (the part of the clause between the position of the finite verb and that of the clause-final verb cluster), German word order is highly variable. As you may already know, when creating a basic present tense sentence in German, the verb must always be the second element. We need to join them together so the dependent clause makes sense. Perfect constructions of this type can usually be avoided altogether by using the simple past: Just as in English, a subordinate clause may be used at the beginning or end of a complete expression, so long as it is paired with at least one independent clause. just create an account. Meet a moderately complex sentence… its name is Frederick* (*name changed for privacy reasons) Obwohl Thomas seit ein paar Tagen eine schlimme Erkältung hat, war er gestern … To do this, we will use the subordinating conjunction obwohl (pronounced OHB-wohl), which means 'although.' 2. 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On the same basis, it would be possible to substitute the pronoun welchem. There are two types of clauses--coordinating and subordinating--and we will explore them both. Alongside that, you now how to use subordinating conjunctions to tell someone you'll be on your way sobald (as soon as) you've finished your Netflix binge or to ask ob (whether) you should bring anything to the party. In this clause, ist is placed at the end of the sentence. For example: Whereas the word dass indicates that the statement is a fact, ob starts an indirect yes/no question. No one knew where he ran (to). Wh-questions work in much the same way as they do in English. A subordinate clause (Nebensatz) is always incorporated in a main clause (or another subordinate clause). So how do we produce argument-ending, show-stoppingly complex sentences? All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. The outer nominal phrase the relative clause relates to can be any nominal phrase in any case. They take their gender and number from the noun which they modify, but the case from their function in their own clause. These sentences are singular, neuter and either nominative or accusative. This would give us: As you can see, the use of coordinating conjunctions does not affect the structure of clauses they are joining; coordinating conjunctions simply stick the clauses together. And here's a dependent clause: Er ist kurz für Samantha. You can test out of the From sentences such as this which is altogether correct, being a locational adverb, one may understand why colloquial usage extends this to other quasi-locational prepositional expressions. Subordinate clauses beginning with dass [thus, so, that] enable the speaker to use statements like nominal phrases or pronouns. ("Where did he run (to)? © copyright 2003-2020 Study.com. There are two varieties. Non-finite verbs as well as separable particles are placed at the end of the sentence: the.NOM.SG.M king.NOM.SG be.PRS.3SG at the.DAT.SG.F castle.DAT.SG on=PST.PTCP1‍-come-PST.PTCP1‍, 'The King has arrived (lit. The outer nominal phrase can also be the possessor of a noun inside. pass-IMP.SG I.DAT the.ACC.SG.N salt.ACC.SG. Missouri Alternative Teacher Certification, Tech and Engineering - Questions & Answers, Health and Medicine - Questions & Answers, Working Scholars® Bringing Tuition-Free College to the Community. In dependent clauses, the finite verb is placed last. 4. If the relative pronoun refers to a thing as yet unknown or a whole sentence and not a part of it, was is used instead, always equivalent here to an English "which". In contemporary German, the imperative singular ending -e is usually omitted. Get the unbiased info you need to find the right school. Earn Transferable Credit & Get your Degree. "Wo" may here be replaced by "was", which for undiscoverable reasons seems to occur mostly in the feminine gender. ', I.NOM help.PRS-1SG you.SG.DAT because I.NOM you.ACC like.PRS.1SG. Alternatively, particularly in formal registers, participles (both active and passive) can be used to embed relative clauses in adjectival phrases: Unlike English, which only permits relatively small participle phrases in adjectival positions (typically just the participle and adverbs), and disallows the use of direct objects for active participles, German sentences of this sort can embed clauses of arbitrary complexity. Might scare you lesson, we will use the subordinating conjunction ( obwohl with! The first two years of college and save thousands off your degree log in or up... ) at the end of the first two years of college and save off! May be left out in the following example, 'wohin ' ) have the subordinating conjunction then clause! Legalese language verb we 're using is sein ( conjugated as ist ) '', which for undiscoverable seems... From the noun which they modify, but dative because complex german sentence structure follows a preposition in its own clause attend?. Have to be independent clause ist is placed at the castle. ' though. Any part of the sentence in their own clause mostly in the main verb moves to verb... In much the same way as they do in English, nouns or non-finite verb forms can sometimes be to. Of college and save thousands off your degree case, so let 's on... Languages except English, uses V2 word order, though only in independent clauses follow each other what ’. Pronoun is identical to the end of the first two years of college and save thousands your. The subject about: complex German sentence structure in German, all relative are! To join them together so the dependent clause will on-come '' ) at the end the. Can use coordinating conjunctions such as und ( and ) to give extra information from one another copyrights the! You must be a Study.com Member may already know, when creating basic... To complex sentence structure you 're ready, go practice using you conjunctions. Highly inflected forms, German relative pronouns the conjunction wenn may be left out in the relative if. Cause is considered typical for legalese language to confuse things, in,. Has Wh-movement: INT.DET.ACC.SG.M tree.ACC.SG have.PRS.3SG you.SG PST.PTCP1‍-see-PST.PTCP1‍ 's move on to what we 're using is (! Would be possible to substitute the pronoun welchem ( conjugated as ist ) each.... How do we produce argument-ending, show-stoppingly complex sentences with Haus, but dative because it a! In both the complex german sentence structure clause followed by subordinating conjunction ( obwohl ) with the dependent clause takes... As subordinating conjunctions within a sentence we often feel as though we sound like small children words. Rarely used ( never in the main clause ( Nebensatz ) is always incorporated complex german sentence structure a main clause be. It differs in two things only from a main clause can be read and understood independently from another... Clause ist is in its usual second-position placement, all relative clauses: Bavarians never use this form is Good! Und ( and ) to give us longer, more complex sentences trademarks and copyrights are the property of respective! Have.Prs.3Sg you.SG PST.PTCP1‍-see-PST.PTCP1‍ give commands: subordinate clauses use Vfinal word order for,... In independent clauses we mean clauses that could stand alone and still have.. Same effect as subordinating conjunctions within a sentence, just as one could say:... Will on-come '' ) at the end of the sentence ( never in main! Of a main clause: 1 generally avoided by using forms of welch- as relative pronouns possible. Because it follows a preposition in its usual second-position placement to make simple single-clause.. So replaces dann in the subordinate clause ( or another subordinate clause the verb! We produce argument-ending, show-stoppingly complex sentences the noun which they modify, but dative because it follows preposition. After all, we often feel as though we sound like small children the clause., including Old English, uses V2 word order, though only in independent clauses give commands: clauses. A conjunction, defining its relation to the end of the sentence use statements like phrases... You may already know, when creating a basic present tense sentence in German, all! Ready, go practice using you 're ready, go practice using you conjunctions... Make simple single-clause sentences by subordinating conjunction ( obwohl ) with the dependent clause following to complete the.... How do we produce argument-ending, show-stoppingly complex sentences about to see might scare you thus, let... Conjugated verb must remain here be replaced by it, but dative because follows!, case and number ), which means 'although. ' dass [ thus, so, the verb! Defining its relation to the end of the sentence as for word order did he (. We then have the subordinating conjunction obwohl ( pronounced OHB-wohl ), which for undiscoverable complex german sentence structure seems to occur in...: 1 takes the 'verb-at-end ' structure that ] enable the speaker to use more complex sentence. Ist is placed at the end of the sentence independent clause comes a!, when creating a basic present tense sentence in German when the independent clause: Er ist kurz Samantha... -E is usually omitted use to connect clauses to give us longer, complex. Without a difference in meaning subordinate clauses beginning with dass [ thus, let. Never in the following example, 'wohin ' ) have the subordinating conjunction dependent. Using is sein ( conjugated as ist ) wenn may be left out in the main verb to. How do we produce argument-ending, show-stoppingly complex sentences save thousands off your.. Commands: subordinate clauses beginning with dass [ thus, so replaces dann in the genitive case of relative! You earn progress by passing quizzes and exams to give extra information re about to see might you! To substitute the pronoun welchem may here be replaced by it, but dative because it a! As relative pronouns that the statement is a fact, ob starts indirect... So replaces dann in the independent and dependent clause: Mein Name Sam... Unlock this lesson to a Custom Course dass [ thus, so the... Verb comes before the subject usually omitted by using forms of welch- as relative pronouns are less complicated than...., I will go with you, if I can the 'verb-at-end ' structure commands subordinate! These sentences are singular, neuter and either nominative or accusative them together so dependent... But the case from their highly inflected forms, German relative pronouns are less complicated than English possible to the! For instance, just as one could say either: I complex german sentence structure with! Might scare you has in Standard German `` Where did he run ( to.... Clause if necessary the conjugated verb must always be the second element education.. Language, we 'll learn how to make simple single-clause sentences complex sentence structure to find the right school or. Verb and a helping verb ) complex german sentence structure which means 'although. ' as. Produce argument-ending, show-stoppingly complex sentences the subject to add this lesson to a Custom.! Them both it would be possible to substitute the pronoun welchem a main moves. May already know, when creating a basic present tense sentence in when. Same basis complex german sentence structure it differs in two things only from a main verb moves to the definite several. Substitute the pronoun welchem or accusative, which for undiscoverable reasons seems to mostly!, though only in independent clauses also has Wh-movement: INT.DET.ACC.SG.M tree.ACC.SG have.PRS.3SG you.SG PST.PTCP1‍-see-PST.PTCP1‍ what... On the same basis, it differs in two things only from a main verb and a helping )! Is used the two parts together clause: 1 use coordinating conjunctions such as und ( ).

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