Breakdown of Ich singe, während der Hund draußen spielt.
spielen
to play
der Hund
the dog
draußen
outside
ich
I
singen
to sing
während
while
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Questions & Answers about Ich singe, während der Hund draußen spielt.
What does the conjunction während mean in this sentence?
Während translates to "while" in English. It indicates that the two actions (the singing and the dog playing) are happening at the same time.
Why is the verb spielt placed at the end of the subordinate clause?
In German subordinate clauses, the conjugated verb is required to appear at the end. Since während der Hund draußen spielt is a subordinate clause introduced by während, the verb spielt is correctly positioned at the clause’s end.
What is the function of the comma in this sentence?
The comma separates the main clause (Ich singe) from the subordinate clause (während der Hund draußen spielt). This punctuation helps clearly differentiate the two parts of the sentence according to German grammar rules.
How is the word order structured in the subordinate clause?
In the subordinate clause, the usual order is: subordinate conjunction (während), subject (der Hund), any additional elements or adverbs (draußen), and then the conjugated verb (spielt) at the end. This is typical for German subordinate clauses.
Does während have any other meanings, and how is context important here?
Yes, während can also mean "during" when referring to a time period. However, in this sentence, the context shows simultaneity—indicating that the singing and the dog playing are happening at the same time—so "while" is the appropriate translation.