Reconnecting Separable Verbs
In a main clause, a separable verb splits: the conjugated base verb stays in the second position, and the prefix goes to the end.
In a subordinate clause (starting with dass, weil, or wenn), the conjugated verb is sent to the end. When the base verb is pushed to the end, it bumps right back into its prefix. They rejoin into a single word!
| I am happy that I am signing up at the gym. | Ich freue mich, dass ich mich im Fitnessstudio anmelde. |
| I am coming to training because I am trying out the new machine. | Ich komme zum Training, weil ich das neue Gerät ausprobiere. |
Starting with the Subordinate Clause
If a sentence starts with a subordinate clause, that entire clause takes the first position. The main clause's verb must come immediately after the comma to stay in position two.
This means the reunited separable verb sits right before the comma, creating a verb-comma-verb pattern.
| If you try out the machine, the trainer will help you. | Wenn du das Gerät ausprobierst, hilft dir der Trainer. |
Conjugating Rejoined Verbs
Even though the prefix and base verb are written as one word at the end of the clause, you still conjugate the base part to match the subject.
| She is happy because she is losing weight fast. | Sie ist glücklich, weil sie schnell abnimmt. |
| The trainer sees that you are building muscle. | Der Trainer sieht, dass du Muskeln aufbaust. |
| Every member is happy when the trainer joins in. | Jedes Mitglied freut sich, wenn der Trainer mitmacht. |