Breakdown of Ich möchte meine Eltern besuchen, denn sie freuen sich immer sehr, wenn ich komme.
kommen
to come
ich
I
sehr
very
möchten
would like to
immer
always
mein
my
sie
they
denn
because
besuchen
to visit
wenn
when
das Elternteil
the parent
Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching German grammar and vocabulary.
Questions & Answers about Ich möchte meine Eltern besuchen, denn sie freuen sich immer sehr, wenn ich komme.
Why is the conjunction denn used in this sentence, and what effect does it have on the word order?
Denn is a coordinating conjunction that means “because.” It links two independent clauses without changing the word order. Unlike subordinating conjunctions (such as weil), which send the conjugated verb to the end, denn allows each clause to retain the standard subject–verb–object (SVO) structure.
What is the reason for placing the verb komme at the end of the clause introduced by wenn?
Wenn is a subordinating conjunction that introduces a dependent clause. In German, the conjugated verb in a subordinate clause is positioned at the end. That’s why komme appears at the end of the wenn ich komme clause.
Why is the modal verb möchte used instead of will in the opening clause?
Möchte is the subjunctive form of wollen and is often used to express polite desire or a wish. Using möchte softens the statement, making it sound more courteous compared to the more direct and assertive will.
What is the significance of the phrase immer sehr in the sentence?
The phrase immer sehr means “always very” or “always very much.” It emphasizes that the parents consistently express a high degree of happiness whenever the speaker comes to visit. This adverbial placement intensifies the emotion in a habitual context.
How does the punctuation—specifically the use of commas—help clarify the structure of this sentence?
Commas in this sentence separate the independent main clause (Ich möchte meine Eltern besuchen) from the reason clause introduced by denn, as well as demarcate the subordinate clause wenn ich komme. This punctuation helps signal the boundaries of each clause clearly, making the sentence easier to understand and follow.
The clause wenn ich komme is in the present tense. Does this indicate a future action, and why is the present tense acceptable here?
Yes, even though komme is in the present tense, it can imply a future action if the context makes it clear. In German, the present tense is often used to refer to future events, much like in English when we say “I leave tomorrow.” Here, it indicates that whenever the speaker comes (now or in the future), the parents are happy to see them.