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Questions & Answers about Wenn das Essen fertig ist, rufe ich meinen Bruder an und bringe ihm sein Lieblingsgericht mit.
Why is the conjugated verb ist at the end of Wenn das Essen fertig ist?
In German subordinate clauses introduced by conjunctions like wenn, you must use verb‑final word order. That means the conjugated verb (ist) goes to the very end of the clause, after its subject (das Essen) and predicate adjective (fertig).
Do I have to include dann after the comma in Wenn …, like Wenn das Essen fertig ist, dann rufe ich …?
No, dann (“then”) is optional. German often drops it because the time clause already implies the sequence. You can say
- Wenn das Essen fertig ist, rufe ich meinen Bruder an.
or - Wenn das Essen fertig ist, dann rufe ich …
Both are correct; the second simply adds a bit more emphasis.
Why does rufe come before ich in rufe ich meinen Bruder an?
After a fronted element (here the entire Wenn‑clause), the main clause still follows the V2 (verb‑second) rule. The subordinate clause occupies position 1, so in the main clause the finite verb (rufe) must come next, followed by the subject (ich).
What is a separable verb, and why do an and mit move to the end in rufe … an and bringe … mit?
German has many two‑part (separable) verbs made of a root plus a prefix. In main clauses the prefix detaches and goes to the very end.
- anrufen (to call): rufe ich … an
- mitbringen (to bring along): bringe … mit
In subordinate clauses these prefixes stay attached (verb‑final): … dass ich ihn anrufe ….
Why is meinen Bruder accusative but ihm dative in the second part?
- anrufen takes a direct object, so my brother is in the accusative: meinen Bruder.
- bringen (and thus mitbringen) also takes a direct object (the thing being brought) and an indirect object (the person receiving it). That receiver is dative: ihm.
Why don’t we repeat the subject ich before bringe in und bringe ihm … mit?
When you coordinate two verb phrases that share the same subject, you can omit the second occurrence of the pronoun. The conjunction und doesn’t count toward word‑order, so bringe still occupies the second position in its clause, and ich is understood from context.
Why is the simple present tense used here to express a future action?
German normally uses the present tense for planned or obvious future events, especially when a time clause (like Wenn das Essen fertig ist) indicates when it will happen. A future tense with werden (ich werde … anrufen) is possible but not necessary.
Why is the possessive pronoun sein used and why doesn’t it take an ending before Lieblingsgericht?
Lieblingsgericht is neuter (das Gericht). Possessive pronouns (mein, dein, sein, etc.) follow the same declension pattern as ein. In the accusative neuter, ein has no ending (ein Haus), so sein also remains uninflected: sein Lieblingsgericht.
Could I use als instead of wenn in this sentence?
No. Als is used for single, completed events in the past. Wenn covers present/future conditions and repeated past events. Since this sentence refers to a future condition (“when the food is ready”), wenn is the correct choice.