With relative clauses you elegantly combine information into one sentence. They look demanding but follow fixed rules. Here you learn how to form them correctly.
Relative clauses and their relative pronouns
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A relative clause describes a noun more precisely and begins with a relative pronoun: der, die, das (in the plural die). The pronoun takes its gender from the noun, but its case from its role in the relative clause, and the verb goes to the end:
- “Der Mann, der dort steht, ist mein Lehrer.” (nominative)
- “Das Buch, das ich lese, ist spannend.” (accusative)
- “Die Frau, der ich helfe, ist meine Nachbarin.” (dative)
Closely related are the pronouns in German, and what the part is about is shown in telc B2 language elements.
How to avoid mistakes
Ask yourself which case the verb in the relative clause requires, then you find the right pronoun. Do not forget the comma before the relative clause and put the verb at the end. The sentence structure works similarly with the passive.
In the telc exam
Relative clauses come up in gaps and in writing. How to proceed with the language elements is in solving language elements strategically, and where the part sits in the procedure is shown by the page on the exam sections.
The bottom line
Relative clauses succeed when you derive the gender from the noun and the case from the verb of the relative clause. With this logic you form them confidently and error-free.
