what is it?
A subordinating conjunction introduces a dependent (subordinate) clause that cannot stand alone as a sentence. In German, the finite verb of that dependent clause moves to the very end — a rule known as verb-final order. The subordinate clause is always separated from the main clause by a comma. Common subordinating conjunctions at B1 include obwohl (although), da (since/because), während (while), bevor (before), falls (if/in case), sobald (as soon as), solange (as long as), seitdem (since [a point in time]), and bis (until). These differ from coordinating conjunctions (und, aber, oder) and from adverbial connectors (trotzdem, deshalb), both of which leave normal word order intact.
when to use it
Concession — use obwohl to introduce a fact that contradicts the expectation set by the main clause. «Although it is raining, we are going for a walk.»
Reason — use da when the reason is already known to both speaker and listener (more formal than weil). «Since the shop is closed, we go home.»
Simultaneous action — use während for two actions happening at the same time, or to contrast two ongoing situations.
Sequence / prior action — use bevor to indicate that the subordinate event happens before the main event.
Condition — use falls for an open, real condition («if/in case»). It is interchangeable with wenn in many contexts but slightly more formal.
Immediate trigger — use sobald when the main clause follows immediately after the subordinate event.
Duration — use solange when both clauses are valid for the same stretch of time, and bis for the endpoint of that duration.
Starting point in time — use seitdem to mark the point from which a situation has been ongoing.
formation
The structure of a subordinate clause is always: conjunction + subject + (objects/adverbials) + finite verb. A comma separates the subordinate clause from the main clause regardless of which comes first.
| clause position | pattern | example |
|---|---|---|
| main clause first | Main clause, + conjunction + … + verb. | Ich rufe dich an, sobald ich zu Hause bin. |
| subordinate clause first | Conjunction + … + verb, + finite verb + subject. | Sobald ich zu Hause bin, rufe ich dich an. |
| with separable verb | conjunction + subject + … + full separable verb at end | …, weil er früh aufsteht. |
| with modal verb | conjunction + subject + infinitive + modal at end | …, weil sie früh schlafen muss. |
Fronted subordinate clause = position 1. When the subordinate clause opens the sentence, the entire clause counts as the first element. The main-clause finite verb must therefore come immediately after the comma (verb-second rule), followed by the subject: Obwohl es regnet, → gehen wir spazieren.
examples in context
common pitfalls
Keeping V2 order inside the subordinate clause. The verb must go to the end. ✗ obwohl ich bin krank → ✓ obwohl ich krank bin. The conjunction itself is not a verb; it does not fill position 2.
Forgetting to invert after a fronted subordinate clause. The whole subordinate clause is position 1, so the main-clause finite verb must come next. ✗ Obwohl es regnet, wir gehen … → ✓ Obwohl es regnet, gehen wir …
Using trotzdem as a subordinating conjunction. Trotzdem is an adverbial connector; it starts a new main clause with V2 order. ✗ Trotzdem es regnet, gehen wir … → use ✓ Obwohl es regnet, gehen wir … or keep trotzdem in its own clause: ✓ Es regnet, trotzdem gehen wir …
Mixing up als and wenn. Als refers to a single, completed event in the past: Als ich Kind war, … «When I was a child, …». Wenn is used for repeated past events and for present or future conditions: Wenn ich Zeit habe, … «When/if I have time, …». Using wenn for a single past event is a very common learner error.
The comma before a subordinate clause is not optional in German — it is a grammatical rule, not a stylistic choice. Always write it.
Three sentences, graded here. Nothing is saved and no account is needed.
Obwohl mein Laptop sehr alt ist, ___ ich ihn jeden Tag im Büro. (benutzen)
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb in parentheses.