Breakdown of Der Computer, an den ich den Kopfhörer anschließe, funktioniert nicht.
ich
I
nicht
not
funktionieren
to work (function)
der Computer
the computer
Questions & Answers about Der Computer, an den ich den Kopfhörer anschließe, funktioniert nicht.
Why is it an den instead of just den?
In German, if the verb in the relative clause uses a preposition (like anschließen an, meaning 'to connect to'), that preposition must go right in front of the relative pronoun. Since an is part of the verb's structure here, it sits right before the masculine relative pronoun den.
Why does an take the accusative case (den) here instead of the dative (dem)?
The preposition an is a two-way preposition. Connecting the headphones involves an action directed at a target, implying direction or a connection being made. Therefore, it triggers the accusative case (an den).
anschließen is a separable verb. Why aren't the parts separated here?
In a normal main clause, you would split it: Ich schließe den Kopfhörer an. However, this is a relative clause, which pushes the conjugated verb to the very end. When a separable verb is pushed to the end, its prefix and main verb reunite into one word (anschließe).
In English we say 'the computer I connect the headphones to'. Can I put an at the end of the clause in German?
No, German does not allow 'dangling' prepositions at the end of a clause like English does. The preposition must always be placed directly in front of the relative pronoun it goes with, forming a single unit like an den.