Der Trainer erklärte, dass dieser Sieg nur der Anfang sei.

to be

Breakdown of Der Trainer erklärte, dass dieser Sieg nur der Anfang sei.

• dass: that
• nur: only
• erklären: to explain

Questions & Answers about Der Trainer erklärte, dass dieser Sieg nur der Anfang sei.

Why is dass used in this sentence?

dass is a subordinating conjunction that introduces the content clause (Inhaltssatz) of erklärte (“explained that…”). As a result, everything that follows up to the end of that clause belongs to a subordinate clause, and the finite verb (sei) is sent to the very end.

Why does the verb sein appear as sei instead of ist?

sei is the Konjunktiv I form of sein, used to mark indirect speech (reported speech). By using Konjunktiv I, German signals that these are the trainer’s words, not a direct assertion by the narrator. If you used ist, it would sound like you’re affirming it as your own statement rather than reporting.

Why is the verb at the end of the subordinate clause?

In German, subordinate clauses introduced by conjunctions like dass follow the “verb-final” rule: the finite verb (here sei) must appear in the last position of that clause.

What tense is erklärte? Could we use hat erklärt instead?

erklärte is the simple past (Präteritum). In written narratives and formal registers, Präteritum is often preferred. In spoken or informal German you might say hat erklärt, which is the Perfekt – both are grammatically correct.