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Depending on the subject (person, number), different endings are added to the verb stem (infinitive without en or n). Some verbs will have further changes, especially the irregular verbs. When conjugated, verbs also form a tense (verb tense). There are six tenses in German: Prsens (the present tense), Prteritum (the preterit(e) tense), Perfekt (the perfect tense), Plusquamperfekt (the pluperfect tense), Futur I (the future tense) and Futur II (the future perfect tense). Regular Verbs: Active Present Tense Indicative Normal (Infinitive) ich du Further Changes arbeit-en habe hast hat haben hab-en
frag-en
sie (Sie)
arbeiten
haben
Irregular Verbs: Active Present Tense Indicative Normal (Infinitive) ich du Further Changes sprech-en hei-en sei-n
komm-en
komme kommst
spreche sprichst
kommt
spricht
kommen kommt
sprechen sprecht
sie (Sie)
kommen
sprechen
heien
sind
Often, when common irregular verbs are conjugated, the 2nd and 3rd person singular stem vowel changes in the present tense (vowel change), e.g. e > i:
helfen:
ich helfe, du hilfst, er/sie/es hilft, wir helfen, ihr helft, sie helfen a > :
tragen:
ich trage, du trgst, er/sie/es trgt, wir tragen, ihr tragt, sie tragen au > u:
laufen:
ich laufe, du lufst, er/sie/es luft, wir laufen, ihr lauft, sie laufen
The preterite of regular verbs is formed by inserting the suffix -t- between the stem and the personal ending. An e is added to the preterite -t- when the verb stem ends in a -d or -t. The preterite of irregular verbs is formed without the suffix -t- and the stem vowel changes. The 1st and 3rd person singular do not have a personal ending. Some verbs are conjugated using a combination (regular and irregular). These verbs form the preterite with the suffix -t- and a change to the stem vowel. Some verbs have additional changes in the stem, e.g.: gehen ich ging , bringen ich brachte
Irregular Verbs arbeiten sah ging sehen fand fandest fand gingen gingt fandet sahen gingen fanden fanden gehen finden
arbeitetest
sagten sagtet
sie (Sie)
arbeiteten
kannte kanntest
kannte
kannten kanntet
sie (Sie)
kannten
With the exception of the verbs haben and sein and the modal verbs, whose preterite tense is also used in oral speech, the preterite tense is most commonly used in written narratives and reports.
The preterite forms of the verbs haben (to have) and sein (to be) are irregular.
(Infinitive) ich
haben
sein
hatte war
du
hattest
warst
sie (Sie)
The past participle of regular verbs without prefixes is formed with the (grammatical) prefix ge-, the verb stem and the (grammatical) suffix (ending) (e)t, e.g.: fragen gefragt, retten gerettet
The past participle of regular verbs ending in the suffix -ieren is formed using only the suffix (ending) -t, e.g.: telefonieren telefoniert, reparieren repariert
The past participle of irregular verbs without a prefix is formed with the (grammatical) prefix ge-, the verb stem (often with a changed stem vowel) and the (grammatical) suffix (ending) -en, e.g.: laufen gelaufen, fliegen geflogen
The grammatical prefix ge- is inserted between the prefix and verb stem in verbs with a separable prefix (e.g.: verbs beginning with ab-, an-, aus-, bei-, mit-, vor-), for example: anmelden angemeldet, mitnehmen mitgenommen
Verbs without a separable prefix do not receive the grammatical prefix ge-, for example: versuchen versucht, beginnen begonnen
(Dictionaries make reference to the form of the past participle of every irregular verb.)
The German present perfect tense is formed from the (present) form of haben or sein and the past participle of the required verb.
(Infinitive) ich du
fragen
habe gefragt
hast gefragt bist gegangen hat gefragt ist gegangen sind gegangen
haben gefragt
sie (Sie)
Most verbs form the present perfect with the auxiliary verb haben, e.g.: schlafen ich habe geschlafen, sehen ich habe gesehen
Only a few verbs form the present perfect with sein, e.g.: verbs of movement, e.g.: laufen ich bin gelaufen, fliegen ich bin geflogen verbs expressing a change of condition, e.g.: umsteigen ich bin umgestiegen, aufstehen ich bin aufgestanden the verbs sein (to be), werden (to become, to grow) and bleiben (to stay, to remain): ich bin (da) gewesen (I was there), ich bin (alt) geworden (I grew old), ich bin (jung) geblieben (I stayed young).
A process (an action, etc.) can be conveyed in the past using both the preterite and perfect tenses. Predominantly, the past is conveyed using the perfect tense in spoken German (every day language). However, modal verbs (especially in combination with other verbs), as with haben and sein, usually take the preterite tense, e.g.: sehen
wollen
haben
sein
The pluperfect is formed using a preterite form of haben or sein (like the perfect tense) and the past participle of the verb to be conjugated.
(Infinitive) ich du
fragen
hatte gefragt
sie (Sie)
hatten gefragt
The pluperfect is used to refer to a process that occured and was completed in the past before another past process that is also being mentioned at the same time using the preterite or perfect tenses, e.g.:
Nachdem/Als wir angekommen waren, fuhren wir ins Hotel. Wir haben uns gegen 19 Uhr getroffen. Davor hatten die meisten noch etwas getrunken.
The future tense is formed using a (present tense) form of werden and the infinitive of the verb to be conjugated.
(Infinitive) ich du
fragen
werde fragen
wirst fragen wirst gehen wird fragen wird gehen werden gehen werdet gehen werden gehen
sie (Sie)
werden fragen
In order to express a process that will occur in the future, you would be likely to use the present tense and a time reference. The future tense is not used in this manner as frequently. For example: (selten) Ich werde (morgen) ins Kino gehen. (meistens) Ich gehe morgen ins Kino.
The future tense often expresses a speculation (= a modal meaning), also in combination with wohl, wahrscheinlich, etc. For example: Er wird jetzt (wohl/wahrscheinlich) zu Hause sein.
As the predicate of the sentence multiple (composite) verb forms like the present perfect, pluperfect and the future tenses, make a Satzklammer (sentence bracket) around other elements or phrases (see also Word Order ), e.g.: [ Ich habe ihn Ich hatte ihn Ich werde ihn bald besuchen. vorher schon einmal getroffen. gestern gesehen. ]
In addition to expressing person, number and tense, a conjugated verb form also expresses a mood (Modus). The indicative, imperative and subjunctive are moods.
The indicative mood is expressed in the tense. It does not take on special forms, e.g.:
ich frage present tense + indicative du schriebst imperfect + indicative sie ist gekommen present perfect + indicative
The subjunctive takes on special forms that are derived from the indicative form.
The past subjunctive is formed based on the indicative preterite form of the verb.
(sein) (haben) ich du (war ) (warst ) wr(e) wr(e)st wr(e) (hatte ) (hattest ) htte httest htte
(war ) wren
(waren ) (wart )
wr(e)t wren
sie (Sie)
(waren )
(hatten )
The stem vowel is often transformed into an umlaut: a > , o > , u > . Some personal endings also take an -e. This is often dropped in spoken language.
The past subjunctive is often replaced by the form of wrde + infinitive, e.g.: Wenn er mich fragte, dann Wenn er mich fragen wrde, dann
When asking polite questions, making requests (favors, advice), expressing wishes or setting conditions (in complex sentences), the past subjunctive, as well as the wrde + infinitive form, are often used. It marks a process as not (yet) real, e.g.:
facultative: Htten Sie noch einen Wunsch? (in addition to: Haben Sie ?) facultative: Wrst du daran interessiert? (in addition to: Bist du ?) facultative: Wren Sie so freundlich, mir die Tr zu ffnen? (in addition to: Sind Sie ?) obligatory: Wrden Sie mir bitte die Tr ffnen? obligatory: Ich an deiner Stelle wrde das anders machen. obligatory: Ich htte gern eine Auskunft. (not: Ich habe ) obligatory: Wenn ich mehr Geld htte, dann knnte ich eine Reise machen.
Imperative
The imperative form (for requests and instructions) can be made from practically every verb:
Singular
verb stem + ending -e (the -e is often not pronounced in spoken language), e.g.: fragen frag(e), kommen komm(e), gehen geh , sein sei verbs with a vowel change from e to i also require a vowel change in the imperative form; the imperative is formed from e to i in these cases, e.g.: geben gib , nehmen nimm , sehen sieh
Plural
verb stem + ending -t, e.g.: fragen fragt, gehen geht, geben gebt, sehen seht but: sein seid
3rd person plural present + Sie, e.g.: fragen fragen Sie, gehen gehen Sie, geben geben Sie, sehen sehen Sie aber: sein seien Sie (not: sind Sie)
Different kinds of requests and commands can be expressed with the imperative. Other words - and in spoken German the way something is said play an important role, e.g.: Advice/Recommendation:
Request:
Order/Command:
Kommen Sie sofort in mein Bro. (Come into my office right now!)
In addition to expressing person, number, tense and mood, a conjugated verb form also expresses the genus verbi (kind of verb). The active and passive are forms of genus verbi.
The active form is expressed naturally using the tense-mood forms illustrated above. There is no special form, e.g.: ich frage Present Tense + Indicative + Active du schriebst Preterite + Indicative + Active
The passive (dynamic passive) voice has special forms. It is produced using a form of werden and the past participle of the verb, e.g.:
Present Tense: ich werde gefragt, du wirst gefragt Preterite Tense: ich wurde gefragt, du wurdest gefragt Present Perfect: ich bin gefragt worden, du bist gefragt worden Pluperfect: ich war gefragt worden, du warst gefragt worden Future I: ich werde gefragt werden, du wirst gefragt werden
Active and passive (dynamic passive) allow you to present circumstances from different perspectives, e.g.:
Active: Die Journalistin fragt einen Hundebesitzer. (= Akkusativobjekt). Passive: Ein Hundebesitzer (= Subjekt) wird (von der Journalistin) gefragt.
Passive Substitutes
The passive form (dynamic passive) can be substituted with lassen + sich + infinitive when trying to express the modal meaning mglich (possible) (knnen), e.g.: Das kann gemacht werden. Das lsst sich machen.
and with sein + adjective (derived from the verb) with the suffix -bar, e.g.: Das kann gemacht werden. Das ist machbar.
Regimen
Verbs may require an accusative object (a completion, supplemental information) e.g.: fragen Ich frage den Lehrer (ihn). besuchen Ich besuche meine Schwester (sie). ffnen Sie ffnet ein Fenster (es). beantworten Wir beantworten eure Fragen (sie).
Verbs may require a dative object (a completion, supplemental information) e.g.: zuhren Ich hre dem Lehrer (ihm) zu. glauben Ich glaube meiner Schwester (ihr). helfen Er hilft einem Mdchen (ihm/ihr). antworten Wir antworten euren Eltern (ihnen).
Verbs may require an object (a completion, supplemental information) with a specific preposition (prepositional object), e.g.: warten auf Ich warte auf den Bus. sich freuen auf Sie freut sich auf unsern Besuch. sich freuen ber Freust du dich ber das Geschenk?
It is possible for the accusative object or the dative object to refer to one and the same person as the subject with some verbs so it refers back to the subject. If so, this is called a reflexive verb. The accusative object or the dative object is expressed via a reflexive pronoun (mich mir, dich dir, sich sich ), e.g.: Ich frage mich, warum das so ist. Du hilfst dir damit nicht.
If the verb requires an accusative object, the facultative reflexive pronoun will be in the dative, e.g.: Das (acc.) berlege ich (mir) noch. Willst du (dir) den Film (acc.) ansehen?
Reflexive verbs always occur together with a reflexive pronoun, e.g.: sich beeilen: Er beeilt sich. (nicht mglich: *beeilen: *Er beeilt mich.)
The reflexive pronoun of reflexive verbs usually takes the accusative (exception, e.g.: sich (dat.) merken); it changes (as with reflexively used verbs) according to the grammatical gender of the subject, e.g.:
sich beeilen (acc.): ich beeile mich, du beeilst dich sich (etw.) merken (dat.): ich merke mir (das), du merkst dir (das)
The reflexive pronoun always comes after the conjugated verb in statements (second verb phrase).
Modal Verbs
Modal verbs are a special group of verbs: knnen, drfen, sollen, mssen, wollen, mgen/mchten.
When conjugated, they also have more special features (in some cases a stem vowel change, 1st and 3rd person singular are without a person ending: exception: mchten):
(Infinitive) knnen drfen mchten (mgen) ich du kann darf kannst soll muss will
wollen
kann darf
knnen
drfen msst
sollen mssen
drfen
Preterite Indicative
The stem of the modal verb acquires the ending -t, as well as the corresponding person ending (as with the preterite of regular verbs), when conjugated. If the stem of the modal verb has an umlaut in the infinitive, then a vowel change occurs. (Infinitive) knnen drfen mchten (mgen) ich konnte durfte durftest durfte sollen mssen wollte wollen (wollte) wolltest wollte wollten wolltet
musstest
konnte
durften durftet
konnten
durften
mussten
wollten
In combination with another verb, the modal verb is most often used in the preterite tense (er wollte fragen) and seldom in the perfect (er hat fragen wollen).
The past subjunctive is also formed based on the preterite indicative form of the verbs:
du
(konntest ) (konnte )
knntest knnte
(wollten) (wolltet)
wollten wolltet
sie (Sie)
(wollten ) wollten
(konnten ) knnten
The stem vowel of knnen, drfen, and mssen is transformed into an umlaut: o > , u > . When asking polite questions, making requests (favors, advice), expressing wishes or setting conditions (in complex sentences), the past subjunctive and the wrde + infinitive form are often used. It marks a process as not (yet) real, e.g.:
facultative: Knnten Sie mir bitte helfen? (in addition to: Knnen Sie ?) facultative: Drfte ich Ihnen helfen? (in addition to: Darf ich ?) facultative: Knnten Sie mir bitte noch etwas Brot bringen? (in addition to: Knnen Sie ?) facultative: Du knntest das doch einmal anders machen. (in addition to: Du kannst ) obligatory: Wenn du mir helfen knntest, wrde ich das schaffen.
Modal verbs are usually combined with another verb (in the infinitive) but they
are also used on their own (as the predicate of the sentence). Ich will meine Eltern besuchen. Ich mchte einen Kaffee. ( Ich mchte einen Kaffee haben/bestellen.) Ich kann das. (= Ich beherrsche das.)
A Satzklammer (sentence bracket) is generally formed when a modal verb is combined with another verb in the infinitive when other phrases are present (see also "Word Order"), e.g.: [ Ich will meine Eltern besuchen. ]
Modal verbs also express different meanings. Ich kann gehen. (Mglichkeit, Fhigkeit, Erlaubnis) - I can go. (capability, ability, permission) Ich darf gehen. (Erlaubnis) - I may go. (permission) Ich soll gehen. (Auftrag) - I should go. (assignment) Ich muss gehen. (Notwendigkeit) - I must go. (necessity) Ich will gehen. (Absicht, Wunsch) - I want to go. (intention, desire) Ich mchte gehen. (Wunsch) - I would like to go. (desire)
The forms ich mchte, du mchtest, etc. only occur in the present tense (they come from the preterite forms of the modal verb mgen (ich mochte, du mochtest , etc.) that is less frequently used today). To express the same idea in the past, you will need to use the modal verb wollen. Heute mchte ich nicht telefonieren. Gestern wollte ich telefonieren. I dont
want to use the phone today. I wanted to use the phone yesterday.
Prepositions
The preposition connects words and word groups to one another. Prepositions express a relationship between associated entities. They require a case (some even require more than one).
They include the following, e.g.: von, zu, nach, durch; an, vor, unter, zwischen, neben, auf, in, hinter, ber
The prepositions von, zu and nach take the dative, e.g.: vom (von dem) Bahnhof, zur (zu der) Haltestelle, nach Berlin
The preposition durch takes the accusative, e.g.: durch den Bahnhof /die Stadt /das Haus
The prepositions an, vor, unter, zwischen, neben, auf, in, hinter and ber take
the dative if they answer the question "Wo?" ("Where?") e.g.: Wo steht etwas? der Tisch auf dem Tisch, die Tr neben der Tr, das Haus vor dem Haus
However, they take the accusative when they answer the question "Wohin?" ("Whereto?"), e.g.: Wohin stelle ich etwas? der Tisch auf den Tisch, die Tr neben die Tr, das Haus vor das Haus
Some prepositions fuse or merge with the definite article of a masculine or neuter noun. This form is predominantly used, e.g.: (an dem Tisch sitzen ) am Tisch sitzen
They describe a wide range of time relations, e.g.: Prepositions According to Regimen
The prepositions durch, fr, gegen, ohne, um, entlang always take the accusative. Note: The preposition entlang comes after the accusative, e.g.: durch den Garten, fr dich, ohne Sie, um die Huser but: den Weg entlang, die Huser entlang
The prepositions aus, auer, bei, gegenber, mit, nach, seit, von, zu always take the dative, e.g.: aus dem Haus, bei Ihnen, mit dir, nach einer Stunde, von ihm, zu ihr The prepositions auerhalb, innerhalb, whrend, wegen always take the genitive, e.g.: auerhalb unserer Sprechstunden, innerhalb kurzer Zeit, whrend des Studiums, wegen ihrer guten Leistungen. Wegen is also often used with the dative in spoken German, e.g.: Die Strae ist wegen eines Unfalls gesperrt. - Die Strae ist wegen einem Unfall gesperrt. Stylistically, the genitive is the better choice.
Nouns
Nouns have a gender (grammatical gender): der Tag (the day) ein Maskulinum (masculine)
die Woche (the week) ein Femininum (feminine) das Jahr (the year) ein Neutrum (neuter)
The gender is most clearly defined by the definite article (accompanying word of the noun): der die das, but it is not so clear when looking at the indefinite article: ein Tag eine Woche ein Jahr.
Most nouns can be both singular and plural. The plural definite article for all nouns is always die. der Tag die Tage, die Woche die Wochen, das Jahr die Jahre
A plural indefinite article does not exist: ein Tag Tage, eine Woche Wochen, ein Jahr Jahre Das waren schne Tage/Wochen/Jahre.
Singular nouns are used in the gender of the three personal pronouns of the third person singular, plural nouns always use the third person plural: der/ein Tag er, die/eine Woche sie, das/ein Jahr es (die) Tage sie, (die) Wochen sie, (die) Jahre sie
Nouns are declined (declension); that means they are put in different cases. The article usually gets an additional ending; the singular noun may get one in the genitive. Singular Masculine Feminine Neuter
Nominative (Wer?/Was?) Accusative Jahr Dative Jahr Genitive Jahr(e)s (Wen?/Was?) (Wem?) (Wessen?)
der/ein Tag die/eine Woche den/einen Tag dem/einem Tag des/eines Tages
die/eine Woche
dem/einem des/eines
Genitive masculine and neuter singular nouns usually receive the ending -s or -es (-es is always added to nouns ending in -s, -ss, -, -x, -tsch, -z, and often to one syllable nouns or nouns with -sch and -st).
Some masculine nouns require an -n or -en ending in the accusative, dative and genitive. Only very few nouns (masculine, neuter) require the ending -ns or -ens in the genitive. Nominativ Herz der/ein Lwe der/ein Student der/ein Name das/ein
den/einen Studenten
Dative dem/einem Lwen dem/einem Studenten dem/einem Herz(en) Genitive des/eines Lwen des/eines Herzens des/eines Studenten
Plural
die Tage
die Huser Accusative die Wochen die Autos die Tage die Huser
Dative Genitive
den Wochen
den Autos
den Tagen
den Husern
der Tage
der Huser
Plural nouns add the ending -n (die Woche die Wochen), or the ending -en (das Bett die Betten), or the ending -s (das Auto die Autos)
in each of the four cases. The definite article takes on different forms.
However, the ending -e (der Tag - die Tage), also with an umlaut (der Stuhl - die Sthle), the ending -er (das Feld - die Felder), also with an umlaut (das Haus - die Huser) and nouns without an ending (der Kater - die Kater), also with an umlaut (der Vater - die Vter)
only occur in the nominative, accusative and genitive. The dative of these nouns adds an additional -n ending.
The genitive singular and the nominative plural form of nouns are listed in most good dictionaries.
The nominative noun functions as the subject of the sentence (Der Mantel ist blau.) or a part of the predicate (Das ist ein Mantel.). The accusative and the dative nouns function as the object of the sentence after many verbs (Sie hat/trgt einen Mantel. Wir hren dir zu.) Prepositions may require use of the
The negation of the indefinite article ein/eine/ein is the negative article kein/keine/kein. It takes on the same form as ein, e.g.: Nominative Singular: Das ist eine/keine Hose. Akkusative Singular: Sie trgt einen/keinen Rock.
The nominative and accusative plural is keine, e.g.: Dort sind keine Autos. Ich sehe keine Autos.
German nouns have a grammatical gender. They are masculine (der Tag), feminine (die Woche), or neuter (das Jahr).
The article can take on different forms in German because German has a case system. Der, den, dem or des can come before masculine nouns; die or der can come before feminine nouns; and das, dem, or des can come before neuter nouns.
You will learn everything about grammatical gender and cases in the course of this program.
In some cases, der can refer to a feminine noun, e.g. when a preposition is in front of the noun (in der Schweiz) or
when two nouns are combined with the meaning of (die Hauptstadt der Schweiz).
Most country names are neuter and are used without articles (Deutschland, sterreich, Frankreich). Some are feminine (die Schweiz, die Trkei), masculine (der Iran) or plural (die USA). These country names are used with a definite article.
Article Words
Pronouns can come before a noun when they are used as a definite or indefinite article, e.g. the possessive pronoun.
Possessivartikel When the possessive pronoun is used like an article in front of a noun, it can also be called a possessive article. The possessive article is declined just like the negative article kein, e.g.: mein Bruder, meine Schwester.
Masculine
Feminine
Masculine
Feminine
Nominative unser Sohn eure Tochter Akkusative unseren Sohn eure Tochter
Dative Genitive
Interrogativartikel
The interrogative pronouns was fr ein, welcher and wie viel(e) can also come before a noun like an article. In this case, the interrogative pronoun is called an interrogative article.
Only ein is declined with the singular interrogative article was fr ein just like the indefinite article ein/eine/ein. The interrogative article does not contain a declinable part when it comes to categories or classes. The plural form is was fr and is not declined, e.g.: Was fr ein Hund ist das? Was fr einen Hund wnschst du dir? Was fr l ist das? Was fr Hunde magst du am liebsten?
The interrogative article welcher/welche/welches welche is declined like the definite article der/die/das die.
Masculine
Feminine
Neuter
Plural welches Jahr welches Jahr welchem Jahr welches Jahres welche Tage welche welchen
Nominative welcher Tag welche Woche Accusative Tage Dative Tagen Genitive welchen Tag welchem Tag welches Tages
welcher Tage
The singular interrogative article wie viel is not declined. The declension of the plural form wie viel(e) is largely optional.
Plural Masculine/Feminine/Neuter Nominative wie viel(e) Tage/Wochen/Jahre Akkusative Dative Genitive wie viel(e) Tage/Wochen/Jahre wie viel(en) Tagen/Wochen/Jahren wie vieler Tage/Wochen/Jahre
Demonstrative Article
The demonstrative pronoun (like the definite or indefinite article), e.g.: dieser/diese/dieses diese, jener/jene/jenes jene, der/die/das die, can come before a noun as a demonstrative article. It is declined and usually strongly emphasized. The endings are identical to the endings of the definite der/die/das die.
Masculine
Feminine
Neuter
Plural dieses Haus diese Fotos dieses Haus diese Fotos diesem Haus dieses Hauses diesen
Nominative dieser Platz diese Strae Accusative Dative Fotos Genitive diesen Platz diese Strae diesem Platz dieses Platzes
dieser Fotos
Pronouns
The personal pronoun is a representative word for the noun. It is differentiated based on the person (1st, 2nd, 3rd person) and the number (singular, plural).
Personal pronouns are declined (declension). Singular 1st P. 2nd P. Nominative ich Accusative Dative Genitive euer du Plural 3rd P. 1st P. 2nd P. er ihn ihm sie sie ihr es es ihm seiner wir uns uns 3rd P. ihr sie (Sie)
As with nouns, a case is also required for verbs and prepositions, e.g.: Dative: Sie hilft mir. Wir sprechen mit dir. Accusative:
The personal pronouns of the 2nd person (singular: du; plural: ihr) and the 3rd person plural (one person: Sie, more than one person: Sie) are used as the forms of address:
informal, intimate: du, ihr Wie heit du? (singular) Wo wohnt ihr? (plural) formal, polite, distanced: Sie Wie heien Sie? Wo wohnen Sie? (singular and plural)
The possessive pronoun makes reference to the person and number of the personal pronoun. Personal Pronoun: ich du er sie es wir ihr sie
Possessive Pronoun: mein dein sein ihr sein unser euer ihr
The possessive pronoun expresses possession and belonging. The possessive pronoun can also be used as an article word. When it is used this way, it is called a possessive article.
The demonstrative pronoun (like the definite or indefinite article) usually refers to a person or thing and it normally accentuates one thing over others. It is declined like the definite article and typically more emphasized.
The demonstrative pronoun can come before a noun; if this is the case, it is referred to as a demonstrative article.
The interrogative pronoun is inquiring about unknown components: about a person, e.g.: Wer hilft dir beim Einkaufen? Meine Schwester. about an object/thing, e.g.: Was willst du kaufen? einen Pullover. about a characteristic or a selection from many items or possibilities e.g.: Was fr einen Pullover wnschst du dir? Einen roten (Pullover). Welchen Pullover mchtest du? den roten (Pullover) dort. about a quantity, e.g.: Wie viel(e) Pullover hast du? vier (Pullover).
The interrogative pronouns was fr ein, welcher and wie viel(e) can be used as article words. In this case, they are called interrogative articles.
Interrogative pronouns are declined (see also "Article Word"), e.g.: Nominative wer? was? was fr einer? Accusative Dative Genitive wen? was? was fr einen? wem? (wem?) wessen? was fr einem? was fr eines?
wessen?
Interrogative pronouns and interrogative adverbs (e.g. wo?, wann?, wie?, warum?) are often summarized as question words.
Question words begin or introduce a certain kind of question, a probe question. They are found in the first position.
The relative pronoun introduces a relative clause (subordinate clause) and refers to a noun or pronoun in the main clause. The relative pronouns are der/die/das die (seldom welcher/welche/welches welche). Der/die/das die are declined just like the definite article (exception: the dative plural pronoun denen), welcher/welche/welches welche are declined just like the interrogative pronouns welcher/welche/welches welche.
Feminine
Neuter , die dort steht , das dort steht , das ich gut
Plural Nominative , die dort stehen Accusative Dative , die ich gut kenne , mit denen ich spreche
Genitive (seldom)
Was is used as a relative pronoun when the antecedent in the main clause
is a substantival neuter pronoun, e.g.: Ich habe das, was du gesagt hast, nicht verstanden. is an indefinite numeral, e.g.: Hier findet ihr alles, was ihr braucht. is a substantivally used adjective superlative (neuter), e.g.: Das ist das Wichtigste, was ihr wissen msst.
The reflexive pronoun is used with reflexive verbs and verbs that are used reflexively. The reflexive pronoun refers to the subject. The individual reflexive pronoun varies according to the grammatical person of the subject. Its case (accusative, dative) is determined by the verbs regimen, e.g.:
Plural 3rd (er) 1st (sie) sich sich 2nd (es) sich sich 3rd (wir) (ihr) sich sich uns uns (sie/Sie) euch sich euch sich
Ich frage mich das auch. (1st person singular; fragen accusative) Du hilfst dir damit nicht. (2nd person singular; helfen dative)
If the verb takes an accusative object, the facultative reflexive pronoun is in the dative, e.g.: Das (acc.) berlege ich (mir) noch. Willst du (dir) den Film (acc.) ansehen?
Types of Sentences I
Types of sentences are differentiated based on the intention of the speaker/writer. A statement transmits information to the listener/reader, e.g.: Ich wohne in Berlin. (I live in Berlin.)
A question means that the speaker would like information from the listener/reader, e.g.: Wo wohnst du? (Probe Question; Answer: In Berlin.) Wohnst du in Berlin? (Yes-No Question; Answer: Ja.Nein.)
A question can also be expressed using an indirect interrogative sentence, e.g.: (Wie lange dauert die Reise? ) Ich mchte Sie fragen, wie lange die Reise dauert. (Ist noch ein Platz frei? ) Ich mchte gern wissen, ob noch ein Platz frei ist.
A command or request sentence is uttered by the speaker/writer to prompt the listener/reader to do something: Fahr doch mal nach Berlin.
To make a request very politely, the request (e.g. a favor or advice) can be formed using the past subjunctive (subjunctive II) or the form wrde +
infinitive, e.g.: Wren Sie so freundlich, mir die Tr zu ffnen? Wrden Sie mir bitte die Tr ffnen? Du knntest das doch einmal anders machen.
In statements, the conjugated verb (as a predicate or part of a predicate) is the second part of the sentence (sentence structure position) (=Second Verb Phrase). 1st Ich 2nd 3rd 4th 5th danach.
frage ihn
morgen
The first part of the sentence is usually the subject. 1st Ich 2nd 3rd 4th 5th danach.
frage ihn
morgen
The subject and other sentence parts (additions, details) can be moved around between the 1st, 3rd etc. parts of the sentence (permutation). The conjugated verb must remain in the second position.
The transfer of the subject from the first position to another (most often the third) position is called an inversion (subject-verb inversion).
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
Morgen
frage ich
Danach
frage ich
ihn
morgen.
The probe question has a question word (w-word) in the first part of the sentence and a conjugated verb in the second part (= second verb phrase): Wann fragst du ihn danach?
The yes-no question has a conjugated verb in the first part of the sentence (= first verb phrase). Fragst du ihn morgen danach?
In a command or request sentence, the imperative verb form is in the first position (= first verb phrase), e.g.: Komm(e) sofort zu mir! Fragt ihn doch mal. Gehen Sie bitte weiter.
If the predicate is a multiple predicate, the parts in the sentence form a Satzklammer (sentence bracket) when other phrases are present. This means, the predicate elements spread out and take different sentence structure positions, in a statement (second verb phrase) e.g.:
Ich werde
Gemse
muss am Freitag
Fleisch
If an accusative object (acc.) and a dative object (dat.) occur in a sentence, the placement after the conjugated verb form (from the 3rd sentence position) is as follows:
nouns as objects: 1. dat. (less emphasized) acc. (more emphasized), e.g.: Man reserviert den Politikern (dat.) die besten Pltze (acc.).
2. acc. (less emphasized) dat. (more emphasized), e.g.: Man reserviert die besten Pltze (acc.) den Politikern (dat.).
pronouns as objects: always acc. dat., e.g.: Man reserviert sie ihnen.
The conjugated verb form is usually found in the final sentence position (final verb phrase) in a subordinate clause (subset of a complex sentence) when it has been introduced/initiated (e.g. by a conjunction or a subjunction), e.g.: 0 Ich 1st 2nd last
wei, dass er
morgen
kommt.
If the subordinate clause comes before the main clause in a complex sentence, the conjugated verb form is placed in the 1st position, e.g.: 1st 2nd 3rd
If the subordinate clause is not introduced, the conjugated verb form is placed in the 2nd or 1st position, e.g.: 1st Er sagt, er macht das bis morgen. 2nd 3rd 4th
1st 2nd 3rd Hast du Zeit, dann besuch mich doch mal.
Types of Sentences II
Simple Sentence A simple sentence consists of a subject-predicate configuration. Die Alpen liegen im Sden Deutschlands.
Sentence Connector A sentence connection is made up of parallel independent (main) clauses (equal, coordinated). The main clauses can be connected to one another in various ways. This will affect the sentence word order, e.g. in a statement as a second verb phrase:
(also often shortened: Er war bei uns und hat von seiner Reise erzhlt.)
with a connecting adverb (e. g.: zuerst, dann, danach, schlielich, deshalb, darum): 1st 2nd 3rd
Wir haben Kaffee getrunken, dann hat er von seiner Reise erzhlt.
Wir haben Kaffee getrunken und dann hat er von seiner Reise erzhlt.
A conjunction does not take a sentence position, whereas a connecting adverb does.
Complex Sentence A complex sentence is made up of a main clause and (at least) one subordinate clause. A subordinate clause is grammatically dependent on the main clause. In this case, the conjugated verb form takes the final position. If a second (unconjugated) verb aside from the conjugated verb also appears in the subordinate clause, e.g. an infinitive or a participle, it is found in front of /preceding the conjugated verb in the position before the final position.
Subjunctional Clause Subordinate clauses can be initiated by subjunctions/subjunctors, e.g. through the subjunctions dass or ob. 1st 2nd Ich wei, dass er Ich hoffe, dass er Sie erzhlt, dass sie gestern gekommen ist morgen kommen kann morgen kommt 0 1st 2nd 3rd last
The conjugated verb form is found in the first position of the main clause when the subordinate clause precedes the main clause. 1st Dass er morgen kommt, wei ich .
Instead of the dass -subordinate clause, an infinitive group (infinitive sentence) with zu can be formed, but only after certain words (verb, noun, adjective, adverb). This is possible, predominantly, when the subject of the main clause and the subject of the dass -subordinate clause are the same (e.g. referring to the same person), e.g.: Ich verspreche dir, dass ich dich morgen besuche. Ich verspreche dir, dich morgen zu besuchen.
The infinitive group is more concise and often stylistically superior. A comma comes before the infinitive group.
A relationship of cause and effect exists between the main clause and the weil subordinate clause (causal relationship). The effect is found in the main clause, and the cause is found in the weil subordinate clause. Warum?, Weshalb?, and Aus welchem Grund? are used to ask about the cause or weil subordinate clause. Main Clause: Result/Effect Subordinate Clause: Cause Sie blieb zu Hause, weil sie krank war.
main clause and the wenn subordinate clause (conditional relationship). The possible consequence is named in the main clause and the condition in the subordinate clause. Unter welcher Bedingung? In welchem Fall? are used to ask about the cause or wenn subordinate clause. Main Clause: Possible Consequence Subordinate Clause: Condition Sie bleibt zu Hause, wenn sie krank wird.
A relationship of action and goal, objective or intent exists between the main clause and the damit -subordinate clause (final relationship). The action is mentioned in the main clause, the goal/objective/intent in the subordinate clause. Wozu? Mit welchem Ziel? Mit welchem Zweck? Mit welcher Absicht? (coll. also: Warum?) are used to ask about the damit -subordinate clause. Main Clause: Action Subordinate Clause: Goal/Objective/Intent Ich muss rechtzeitig zum Bahnhof gehen, damit ich den Zug nicht verpasse.
Instead of using the subjunction damit + subordinate clause, it is possible to use the subjunction um (zu) + infinitive (infinitive group, infinitive sentence) with the same ultimate meaning. This is only possible when the quasi-subject of the infinitive group (not expressed) is identical to the subject of the main clause, e.g.: Wir fahren ans Meer, damit wir uns erholen. Wir fahren ans Meer, um uns zu erholen. The infinitive group with the subjunction um (zu) is, in this case, stylistically superior.
If the subjunction obwohl introduces the subordinate clause, a relationship of non-effective condition (reason) and an unexpected result exists between the
subordinate and the main clause (concessive relationship). You can ask the questions Trotz welcher Voraussetzung? Trotz welches Umstands? of the obwohl -subordinate clause: Subordinate Clause: Non-Effective Condition Main Clause: Unexpected Result Obwohl es regnet, gehen wir spazieren.
(This relationship can also be expressed in a second main clause (of a sentence connection, i.e. a conjunction) with the conjunction aber or the connecting adverb trotzdem, e.g.: Es regnet, aber wir gehen spazieren. Es regnet, trotzdem gehen wir spazieren.)
When the subordinate clause is introduced with the subjunction wie or als, a relationship of comparison can be intended between the main clause and the wie/als subordinate clause (modal/comparative relationship). The main clause describes a characteristic, the subordinate an object or action of comparison. Wie? Im Vergleich womit/wozu? are used to ask about the subordinate clause. Main Clause: Characteristic Subordinate Clause: Object/Action of Comparison Der Film war (nicht) so gut, wie ich gedacht hatte. Der Film war besser, als er in der Zeitung beurteilt wurde
The subjunctions seit and seitdem introduce a temporal subordinate clause. This describes an event in the past that is either relevant in the present or continues into the present, e.g.: Main Clause: Action
Subordinate Clause: Action (Past Present) Ich komme viel schneller ins Internet, seitdem/seit ich einen DSL-Anschluss habe.
Relative Clause The relative clause is a(n) (introduced) subordinate clause in a complex sentence. It is introduced by a relative pronoun or a relative adverb. The relative pronoun or adverb refers to a noun or pronoun in the main clause (reference word or antecedent). A relative clause divulges characteristics of the reference word. It is always an attribute of the reference word (attribute sentence). Wie heit der Mann, der gestern hier war? Deutsch ist eine Sprache, die ich sehr mag. Das Auto, das in der Garage steht, ist kaputt. Das ist ein Thema, fr das ich mich sehr interessiere. Dort steht sie, mit der ich gestern gesprochen habe. Ich habe das, was du gesagt hast, nicht verstanden. Hier ist das Haus, wo (= in dem) ich wohne.
Question Word Sentences (w-word sentences) A subordinate clause can also be introduced with a question word (w-word), e.g.: Der Gast erzhlt uns, was er beruflich macht. Der Mann fragt, wie lange die Reise dauert.
Un-introduced Subordinate Clauses Subordinate clauses without an introductory word position the conjugated verb form in the 2nd position following verbs referring to speaking, thinking, and feeling
in the 1st position (first verb phrase) of a conditional subordinate clause, e.g.:
(Wenn Sie mehr Informationen brauchen, ( dann) klicken Sie auf bungshilfe.) 1st 2nd Brauchen Sie mehr Informationen, (dann) klicken Sie auf bungshilfe. 3rd
Word Formation
New words can be made in German with the help of existing words and other elements. Composition
A compound word (a composition) is made by combining two (rarely more) existing words to make a new word: Mutter + Sprache Muttersprache , drei + zehn dreizehn, schwarz + rot + gold(en) schwarzrotgold(en), auf + schreiben aufschreiben
The type of the second word determines the part of speech that the compound word will be, e.g.: das Haus (noun) + hoch (adjective) haushoch (adjective)
The gender of compound nouns that are made up of two (or more) nouns is determined by the second (or last) noun in the composition, e.g.: der Regen + die Wolke die Regenwolke der Regen + das Wetter das Regenwetter
Derivation A derivation is formed when a prefix or suffix is added to a word (word stem), e.g.: fragen befragen (prefix, inseperable) fragen nachfragen (prefix, seperable) frag(en) die Frage, fraglich (Suffixe)
Composition of Nouns
To facilitate pronunciation, a sound/letter is sometimes inserted in the composition of nouns, e.g.: der Bund + -es- + der Kanzler der Bundeskanzler die Information + -s- + die Veranstaltung die Informationsveranstaltung die Stunde + -n- + der Plan der Stundenplan
Nouns are often the result of the composition of several words. To understand what they mean, you will need to dissect the word properly, e.g.: die Semester abschluss prfung das Semester + der Abschluss + die Prfung = die Prfung zum Semesterabschluss
Derivation Many nouns are made up of other words (verbs, adjectives, or nouns) with the help of suffixes (e.g. -ung, -keit, -heit, -schaft), e.g.: einladen die Einladung, pnktlich die Pnktlichkeit, das Kind die Kindheit, das Land die Landschaft.
Nouns ending in the suffices (-ung, -keit, -heit, -schaft) always have a feminine gender. The stem before the suffix will usually help you understand the meaning of the word.
By attaching the suffix -(e)r to the word stem of a verb, a masculine noun is formed that describes a male person. Adding the suffix -erin will form a feminine noun that describes a female person, e.g.: lehr-en der Lehrer, die Lehrerin les-en der Leser, die Leserin
Some nouns have a diminutive form (affectionate form). This is often formed by adding the suffix -chen (less often with the suffix -lein). The stem vowel becomes an umlaut, e.g.: a , o , u , au u, e.g.: die Hand das Hndchen, der Kopf das Kpfchen, der Fu das Fchen, der Bauch das Buchlein.
Composition of Verbs
Derivation
The first part (also called prefix) of these verbs is stressed (e.g. aufschreiben). The first part of the verb (e.g. auf/schreiben) is separated from the second and placed behind it in conjugated forms of the present and preterite tenses: ich schreibe (es) auf , sie schrieb (etwas) auf
Separable prefixes include the following: ab- (abholen ich hole ab) an- (anfangen ich fange an) auf- (aufstehen ich stehe auf) aus- (ausgehen ich gehe aus) ein- (einkaufen ich kaufe ein) mit- (mitkommen ich komme mit) vor- (vorlesen ich lese vor) zu- (zuhren ich hre zu)
Regarding the present and preterite tenses, the separated and adjusted first part can be pushed back to the final part of the sentence (Satzklammer or sentence bracket) when additional sentence parts are present: Ich schreibe deine Adresse sofort auf.
With regard to the past participle (e.g. in the perfect tense or pluperfect), the prefix ge- is placed between the first and second part: (ich habe) aufgeschrieben, (sie hatte) aufgeschrieben
There are also derived verbs with inseparable prefixes. These prefixes cannot be separated from the second part. Some inseparable prefixes are as follows: be- (bekommen ich bekomme) er- (erzhlen ich erzhle) ver- (verkaufen ich verkaufe)
Verbs with the suffix -ier(en) can be derived from foreign word nouns, e.g.: das Telefon telefonieren, die Operation operieren, die Reparatur reparieren
Derivation In order to form adjectives, add the suffixes -ig, -lich, -isch, -bar, -sam to nouns and verbs, e.g.: der Wind windig, der Freund freundlich, der Franzose franzsisch, bezahlen (knnen) bezahlbar, sich mhen mhsam
The suffix -los is added to nouns making them adjectives. It means "without something". (die) Grenze + -los = grenzenlos (ohne Grenze/n) (die) Sorge + -los = sorglos (ohne Sorge/n)
Adjectives based on foreign words or internationalisms often have special suffixes, e.g.: international, prinzipiell, interessant, intelligent, negativ
Derivation The prefix un- negates or expresses the opposite. It can be added to different types of words, e.g. adjective: un- + sicher = unsicher (nicht sicher)
noun: Un- + (das) Glck = das Unglck (das Pech, das schlimme Ereignis)
Conversion Verbs and adjectives can be nominalized, that is transformed into nouns. They are then capitalized. Nominalized verbs are always neuter. These nouns can be recognized by an article (facultative) or by the connection to a preposition, e.g.: abwaschen das Abwaschen (Das) Abwaschen dauert nicht lange. Zum Abwaschen braucht man heies Wasser. Beim Abwaschen hre ich gern Radio.
The grammatical gender of substantivized adjectives varies. (der Groe, die Kleine dort, das Schne / (etwas) Schnes). They can be used with or without an article (article word). They are declined based on the declension category "adjective" (as with other words that come before a noun), e.g.: neu das Neue Neues etwas Neues manches Neue Mich interessiert alles Neue von dir. Ich habe mich mit Neuem beschftigt.
Adjectives
The adjective can be used in a sentence predicatively as part of the predicate. In this case, it is not declined, e.g. Der Briefkasten ist gelb.
Almost all adjectives can be declined. Adjectives are declined when they come as an attribute before a noun, e.g.: der neue Film, auf einer grnen Wiese, mit kaltem Bier
1. after a definite article word (der neue Film, die grne Wiese, das kalte Bier)
Masculine
Feminine
Neuter die grne Wiese die grne Wiese das kalte Bier das kalte Bier
Nominative der neue Film Accusative Dative Genitive den neuen Film dem neuen Film des neuen Films
der grnen Wiese dem kalten Bier der grnen Wiese des kalten Bier(e)s
Plural Nominative die neuen Filme Accusative Dative Genitive die neuen Filme den neuen Filmen der neuen Filme
2. after an indefinite article word (ein neuer Film, eine grne Wiese, ein kaltes
Bier)
Feminine
Neuter eine grne Wiese eine grne Wiese ein kaltes Bier ein kaltes Bier einem kalten Bier
Dativ einem neuen Film einer grnen Wiese Genitiv eines neuen Films einer grnen Wiese
Masculine
Feminine
grne Wiese
kalten Bier(e)s
Plural Nominative grne Wiesen Accusative Dative Genitive grne Wiesen grnen Wiesen grner Wiesen
Many adjectives (and some adverbs) can be escalated (compared). A comparable adjective has three comparison forms: the positive, the comparative and the superlative. The positive does not take on a special form. The comparative adjective is formed by adding the suffix -er; the superlative by adding the suffix -(s)t. The vowel of monosyllabic adjectives often changes. Sometimes an -e- is added to make pronunciation a little easier:
Positive Comparative klein kleiner lang lnger gro grer (am) lngst(en) (am) kleinst(en) Superlative
When the comparative or superlative is used as a predicate or as an adverbial determiner, it is not declined (like the positive form), e.g.: Dieser Weg ist krzer (als der andere). Jener Weg dauert am lngsten.
When the comparative or superlative is used as an attribute in front of a noun, it is declined (again, like the positive form), e.g.: Das ist ja doch ein lngerer Weg. Ich nehme lieber den krzesten Weg.
The comparison form expresses varying degrees of a characteristic. The intent here is to make a comparison.
Positive: characteristics are the same, object of comparison can be combined with wie:
Er ist gro. Er ist so gro wie du. Er ist so gro, wie ich dachte.
Comparative: characteristics differ (higher degree), object of comparison can be combined with als:
Numerals
Numerals can be differentiated between the cardinal number (Grundzahlwrter) (eins, zwei ) and the ordinal number (Ordnungszahlwrter) (erst(e), zweit(e) ). These numerals can also be called number adjectives.
To form ordinal numbers, add the ending -t(e) to the cardinal numbers 1 through 19, e.g.: zwei zweit(e), elf elft(e)
Exceptions to this pattern are: eins erst(e), drei dritt(e), sieben siebt(e), acht acht(e)
When forming ordinal numbers 20 and up, the ending -st(e) is added to the cardinal number, e.g.: zwanzig zwanzigst(e), einunddreiig einunddreigst(e), hundert hundertst(e)
Parts of a Sentence
A sentence is constructed using different "building blocks" the parts or elements of a sentence. Some are:
the predicate (with a conjugated verb form and sometimes non-conjugated verb forms like an infinitive or a participle): Ich treffe meinen Freund heute Abend. Ich habe meinen Freund gestern getroffen. Ich mchte meinen Freund morgen wieder treffen.
the subject (usually in the nominative): Ich treffe meinen Freund heute Abend.
further sentence parts like objects (completions) (in the accusative, dative or genitive) and adverbial determiners (e.g. details regarding place and time): Ich treffe meinen Freund (object in the accusative) heute Abend (adverbial or temporal determination). Ich helfe meinem Freund (object in the dative) bei der Reparatur (object with preposition).
An object (a completion, supplemental information) in the accusative (accusative object) can be required by verbs, e.g.: fragen Ich frage den Lehrer (ihn). besuchen Ich besuche meine Schwester (sie). ffnen Sie ffnet ein Fenster (es). beantworten Wir beantworten eure Fragen (sie).
An object (a completion, supplemental information) in the dative (dative object) can be required by verbs, e.g.: zuhren Ich hre dem Lehrer zu. glauben Ich glaube meiner Schwester. helfen Er hilft einem Mdchen. antworten Wir antworten euren Eltern.
An object (a completion, supplemental information) with a preposition (prepositional object) can be required by verbs (that require a specific preposition), e.g.: sich freuen (ber) Ich freue mich ber dein Geschenk. helfen (bei) Ich helfe dir bei der bung.
An attribute can be added to every sentence element or phrase (except the predicate), e.g.: Wir lsen eine schwierige Aufgabe. Die Antwort des Lerners war richtig.
An attribute is part of a sentence element and states a characteristic of the word it refers to. Attributes that take the genitive (e.g.: der Ball des Kindes) are replaced with von + dative with some nouns, e.g.: der Ball von Fritz (coll.: der Ball von dem Kind).
This becomes necessary when the consonants s, x or z appear at the end of a noun, in particular when the noun is a proper name (without an article), e.g.: der Bruder von Hans Bruder) die Schwester von Max Schwester) (not: der Bruder des Hans; written/seldom: Hans (not: die Schwester des Max; written/seldom: Max
Conjunctions Subjunctions
Conjunction/Conjunctor A conjunction (conjunctor) is a type of word that connects equivalent sentence phrases and sentence parts (please see sentence structure, compound sentences, complex sentences, etc.), e.g.: meine Eltern und ich Er war bei uns und (er) hat von seiner Reise erzhlt.
Subjunction/Subjunctor A subjunction (subjunctor) is a type of word that connects a main and a subordinate clause in complex sentences by introducing the subordinate clause, e.g.:
Main Clause Subordinate Clause dass: Ich wei, weil: Sie blieb zu Hause, weil sie krank war. wenn: Man lebt gesund, wenn man Sport treibt. dass er morgen kommt.
Adverbs
The adverb is a type of word that cannot be declined. Adverbs can project various meanings, e.g. locality (oben, dort), temporality (gestern, danach), mood (gern, so), causality (deshalb, darum), concessivity (trotzdem) and other meanings.
An interrogative adverb (question adverb) asks about adverbs or adverbial connectors, e.g.: wo? dort, hinter dem Haus, wann? dann, in einer Stunde wie? so, auf diese Weise warum? deshalb, wegen des schlechten Wetters
A relative adverb introduces a relative clause, e.g. wo, when the antecedent in the main clause is a locality reference, or wie, when the antecedent refers to the mood (manner), e.g.: In der Wohnung, wo (= in der) wir jetzt wohnen, ist zu wenig Platz fr uns. Die Art, wie (= in der) er schreibt, gefllt mir.
A connecting adverb connects two main clauses and expresses the relationship between the two clauses in its meaning. The connecting adverb takes, unlike a conjunction, a sentence position (1st, 3rd, etc.), e.g.: Ich habe einen DSL-Anschluss. Seitdem komme ich viel schneller ins Internet.
Ich habe einen DSL-Anschluss. Ich komme seitdem viel schneller ins Internet.
Further connecting adverbs are as follows: Addition: auerdem Time: da, dann, danach, zuerst, schlielich Place: da, dort, dahin Reason: deshalb, darum, nmlich (nmlich never takes the 1st position!) Insufficient grounds: trotzdem Comparison/limitation: allerdings Impossible expected or opposite results: sonst