A2 Danish GrammarSubordinate Clauses (fordi, at, når)
Create complex Danish sentences with subordinating conjunctions. Learn how 'fordi' (because), 'at' (that), and 'når/hvis' (when/if) change word order, putting the verb after the subject and adverbs. Master the essential skill of building dependent clauses.
1Subordinating Conjunctions Overview
Subordinating conjunctions introduce dependent clauses that cannot stand alone. The most common are: 'fordi' (because), 'at' (that), 'når' (when, for repeated events), 'hvis' (if), and 'da' (when, for single past events). Unlike coordinating conjunctions, these change word order in the subordinate clause.
Common Subordinating Conjunctions
| Danish | English | Use |
|---|---|---|
| fordi | because | reason/cause |
| at | that | statements/thoughts |
| når | when (repeated) | habitual time |
| hvis | if | condition |
Examples
Jeg bliver hjemme, fordi jeg er syg.
I'm staying home because I am sick.
'fordi' introduces the reason
Jeg ved, at han kommer.
I know that he is coming.
'at' introduces reported fact
Når det regner, tager jeg en paraply.
When it rains, I take an umbrella.
'når' for habitual situations
Hvis du vil, kan vi gå i biografen.
If you want, we can go to the cinema.
'hvis' introduces condition
2Word Order in Subordinate Clauses
In subordinate clauses, the verb moves to a later position. The word order becomes: conjunction + subject + adverbs (ikke, altid, etc.) + verb. This contrasts with main clauses where the verb is always in second position. This is one of the most important rules in Danish grammar.
Main vs Subordinate Word Order
| Type | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Main clause | S + V + adv | Jeg spiser ikke |
| Subordinate | conj + S + adv + V | ...fordi jeg ikke spiser |
| Main clause | S + V + adv | Han kommer altid |
| Subordinate | conj + S + adv + V | ...når han altid kommer |
Examples
Jeg ved, at han ikke kommer.
I know that he isn't coming.
'ikke' before the verb in subordinate clause
Hun siger, at hun altid spiser morgenmad.
She says that she always eats breakfast.
'altid' before the verb
Fordi jeg ikke har tid, kan jeg ikke komme.
Because I don't have time, I can't come.
Adverb before verb in 'fordi' clause
Når jeg aldrig har penge, kan jeg ikke købe noget.
When I never have money, I can't buy anything.
'aldrig' before verb
3Using 'at' (That)
'At' introduces noun clauses after verbs of saying, thinking, knowing, and feeling. It's often used after: sige (say), tro (believe), vide (know), synes (think), håbe (hope). Unlike English, 'at' is rarely omitted in Danish.
Verbs Commonly Followed by 'at'
| Danish Verb | English | With 'at' |
|---|---|---|
| sige | say | Han siger, at... |
| tro | believe | Jeg tror, at... |
| vide | know | Vi ved, at... |
| håbe | hope | Hun håber, at... |
Examples
Jeg tror, at det bliver godt vejr.
I think that it will be good weather.
'tro' + 'at' for beliefs
Han sagde, at han var træt.
He said that he was tired.
'sige' + 'at' for reported speech
Vi håber, at I kommer til festen.
We hope that you will come to the party.
'håbe' + 'at' for hopes
Jeg synes, at filmen var kedelig.
I think that the movie was boring.
'synes' + 'at' for opinions
4Conditional and Time Clauses
'Hvis' (if) introduces conditions, 'når' (when) is for repeated or future events, and 'da' (when) is for single past events. When these clauses come first in the sentence, the main clause begins with its verb (inversion). This V1 pattern after initial subordinate clauses is crucial.
Time and Condition Words
| Danish | Use | English Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| hvis | condition | if |
| når | repeated/future | when/whenever |
| da | single past event | when (in the past) |
| mens | simultaneous | while |
Examples
Hvis det regner, bliver vi hjemme.
If it rains, we'll stay home.
Inversion in main clause after 'hvis'
Når jeg kommer hjem, laver jeg mad.
When I come home, I make food.
'når' for habitual action
Da jeg var barn, boede jeg i Odense.
When I was a child, I lived in Odense.
'da' for single past period
Mens du var væk, ringede Peter.
While you were away, Peter called.
'mens' for simultaneous events