Dependent clauses

Dependent clauses are sentence parts which contain the components of a complete sentence (subject - verb - predicate), but require another (independent) clause to complete their meaning. They can be introduced in a number of ways:

by a subordinating conjunction
by a relative pronoun
by a question word, which introduces an indirect question

1) Wir bleiben zu Hause, weil es regnet.
2) Der Mann, der dort sitzt, ist Amerikaner.
3) Wissen Sie, was Sie trinken möchten?

We are staying at home, because it is raining.
The man who is sitting there is an American.
Do you know what you would like to drink?

Word order

In a dependent clause, the conjugated verb appears at the end of the clause. All other elements of the clause remain in their normal position.

Ich weiss nicht, ob er schon zu Hause ist.
Das Auto, das vor der Bank steht, gehört meinem Vater.

I don't know if he is already at home.
The car that is standing in front of the bank belongs to my father.

Dependent, independent clauses - word order

When a dependent clause precedes an independent clause, the conjugated verbs are the last component of the first clause and the first component of the second clause. Thus the two verbs always appear on either side of the comma which separates the clauses.

Wenn ich ihn sehe, grüsse ich ihn von Ihnen.
Dass sie das gesagt hat, überrascht mich. When I see him, I'll give him your greetings.
That she said that, surprises me.