Nebensatz mit wenn
wenn-Sätze — for English Speakers
Introduction
German 'wenn' covers two English words: 'when' (for repeated/future events) and 'if' (for conditions). The tricky part for English speakers is that wenn sends the verb to the end of its clause. In the main clause that follows, the verb comes first (inverted order). This verb-final rule in subordinate clauses doesn't exist in English at all.
German vs English
In German
Wenn es regnet, bleibe ich zu Hause.
In English
When/If it rains, I stay home.
Key Difference
German uses 'wenn' for both 'when' and 'if'; English distinguishes them.
In German
Verb at end of wenn-clause: ...wenn ich Zeit habe.
In English
Normal word order: ...when I have time.
Key Difference
German pushes the verb to the clause end; English keeps subject-verb order.
Common Mistakes for English Speakers
Wenn ich habe Zeit, komme ich.
Keeping English subject-verb order — in German wenn-clauses, the conjugated verb must go to the end.
Wenn es regnet, ich bleibe zu Hause.
Forgetting verb-first in the main clause after a wenn-clause — the main clause inverts.
Practice Examples
Wenn ich müde bin, trinke ich Kaffee.
When I'm tired, I drink coffee.
Wenn du willst, können wir ins Kino gehen.
If you want, we can go to the cinema.
Ruf mich an, wenn du ankommst.
Call me when you arrive.
Memory Tip
WENN kicks the verb to the END — think of 'wenn' as a bouncer that sends the verb to the back of the line.
View Grammar Rule
Nebensatz mit wenn
wenn-Sätze — B1
Practice Exercises
Nebensatz mit wenn Übungen
8 exercises
Other Languages
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