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Word order in dependent clauses, relative sentences, and indirect questions

Dependent clauses

Dependent clauses have the so-called subordinating conjunction in the first position and the verb in the last position. Important subordinating conjunctions are:

werde + infinitive

A dependent clause can either precede or follow the main clause. Notice the changes in word order in the main clause:

Bevor die Gäste kommen, müssen wir noch viel machen.
Wir müssen noch viel machen, bevor die Gäsate kommen.
(We still have a lot to do before the guests arrive.)
Nachdem er das Gymnasium beendet hatte, studierte er.
Er studierte, nachdem er das Gymnasium beendet hatte.
(After he had finished high school he went to college.)

Relative clauses

A relative clause makes a statement about a person or object that is also the topic of the main clause. The main clause and the relative clause are connected by a relative pronoun. Forms: The relative pronoun forms are largely identical with the direct articles der, die, das and their various forms. Only the dative plural (denen instead of den) and the genitive forms (dessen and deren instead of des and der) differ. The noun in the main clause and the relative pronoun that refers to that noun must be the same in gender and number, but may differ in case. The relative pronoun may be preceded by a preposition. In a relative clause, the verb is always in last position. The relative clause is either imbedded in or follows the main clause. The relative clause usually follows the noun to which it refers directly. Example sentences:

Indirect questions

In indirect questions the verb comes in last position. Example sentences:

See also:

Word order in standard constructions