a2Subordinate Clauses with 'dass'
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MOD 02Connecting Ideas — Subordinate Clauses·Lesson 1 of 5

Subordinate Clauses with 'dass'

Express what you think, believe, or know: Ich glaube, dass… Ich weiß, dass… Learn how the verb moves to the end in a dass-clause and practise with everyday examples.

Nebensätze mit 'dass' — Subordinate Clauses with 'dass'

'dass' (that) introduces a subordinate clause expressing thoughts, beliefs, knowledge, or feelings. The key rule: the verb goes to the END of the dass-clause.

Common Verbs Used with 'dass'

DeutschEnglish
Ich glaube, dass...
I believe that...
Ich denke, dass...
I think that...
Ich weiß, dass...
I know that...
Ich hoffe, dass...
I hope that...
Ich finde, dass...
I find/think that...
Ich bin sicher, dass...
I am sure that...
Es ist wichtig, dass...
It is important that...
Es ist schade, dass...
It is a pity that...
Ich freue mich, dass...
I am happy that...
Es tut mir leid, dass...
I am sorry that...
The 'dass' Rule — Verb Goes to the End

In a dass-clause, the conjugated verb moves to the LAST position

Main clause: Ich glaube + dass-clause: du Recht HAST

Full sentence: Ich glaube, dass du Recht hast.

The comma ALWAYS comes before 'dass'

In compound tenses, the auxiliary verb goes last: Ich weiß, dass er nach Hause gegangen IST.

Beispiele — Examples

Ich glaube,dassDeutschnicht so schwerist.
ENI believe that German is not so difficult.
Ich weiß,dassdumorgenZeithast.
ENI know that you have time tomorrow.
Es ist schade,dasssienichtkommenkann.
ENIt is a pity that she cannot come.
Formal (Sie)Informal (du)
Without 'dass'
Deutsch ist nicht so schwer.
Main clause, verb in second position
With 'dass'
Ich glaube, dass Deutsch nicht so schwer ist.
Subordinate clause, verb at the end

'dass' vs. 'das' — Don't Confuse!

DeutschEnglish
dass (with double s)
that (conjunction) — introduces a clause
das (with single s)
the/that/which (article or pronoun)
Ich glaube, dass es regnet.
I believe that it is raining. (conjunction)
Das ist mein Buch.
That is my book. (pronoun)
Das Buch ist interessant.
The book is interesting. (article)

💡 If you can replace the word with 'welches' (which), use 'das'. If you're introducing a thought/belief/fact, use 'dass'.

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