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Nebensatz mit dass

dass-Sätzefor English Speakers

Introduction

German 'dass' works like English 'that' in sentences like 'I think that he is nice.' The difference: the verb goes to the end of the dass-clause. And unlike English, you can't drop 'dass' — English often says 'I think he is nice' without 'that', but German always needs 'dass'. Every dass-clause also needs a comma before it.

German vs English

In German

Ich denke, dass er nett ist. (verb at end)

In English

I think (that) he is nice.

Key Difference

German verb goes to end after 'dass'; English keeps normal word order.

In German

Es ist wichtig, dass du kommst.

In English

It's important that you come.

Key Difference

Structure is parallel here — but German always requires 'dass', while English can drop 'that'.

Common Mistakes for English Speakers

Ich denke, dass er ist nett.

Keeping English word order — after 'dass' the verb must go to the absolute end.

Ich denke, dass er nett ist.

Ich denke, er ist nett. (always)

Dropping 'dass' like English drops 'that' — while possible in speech, beginners should practice with 'dass'.

Ich denke, dass er nett ist.

Practice Examples

Ich hoffe, dass du kommst.

I hope that you come.

Sie sagt, dass es regnet.

She says that it's raining.

Er weiß, dass ich hier bin.

He knows that I am here.

Memory Tip

DASS pushes the verb to the back of the bus — all subordinate conjunctions do this in German.

View Grammar Rule

Nebensatz mit dass

dass-SätzeA2

Practice Exercises

Nebensatz mit dass Übungen

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