German word order can seem complicated, but there are set rules. If you learn the rules and follow them, your German will be much more accurate.
Part ofGermanGrammar (for exams until 2025)
The following words are also subordinating conjunctions, so send the verb to the end.
als ob - as if
bis - before
da - as, because
damit - so that, in order that
seitdem - since
als ob
Sie sieht aus, als ob sie krank ist. - She looks as if she is ill.
bis
Wir warten, bis du fertig bist. - We'll wait until you are finished.
da
Ich komme nicht mit, da es zu kalt ist. - I'm not coming because it's too cold.
damit
Er trainiert viel, damit er besser spielen kann. - He trains a lot so that he can play better.
seitdem
Wir gehen oft ins Theater, seitdem wir in der Großstadt wohnen. - We often go to the theatre since we have been living in the city.
The conjunction deshalb, meaning 'therefore' or 'so' is an exception and does not send the verb to the end.
It is the first idea in a clause, so the verb - the second idea - must come next.
deshalb
Ich habe den Film schon gesehen, deshalb komme ich nicht mit. - I've already seen the film, so I won't come along.
Er hat keinen Hunger, deshalb will er nichts essen. - He's not hungry, therefore he doesn't want to eat anything.
Use the conjunction (in brackets) to link these two clauses. Remember that word order may change.
