Weil (because) is one of the most important subordinating conjunctions in German. It introduces a reason and — crucially — sends the conjugated verb to the end of the clause. Getting this word order right is a key milestone at A2 level.
Word order with weil
In a main clause the verb sits in position 2. As soon as you add weil, the verb jumps to the very end:
| Main clause | weil clause |
|---|---|
| Ich gehe nicht ins Kino. | … weil ich müde bin. |
| Er kauft das Buch nicht. | … weil er kein Geld hat. |
| Sie fährt in die Stadt. | … weil sie ein Geschenk braucht. |
Comma rule: always place a comma before weil when it follows a main clause.
Weil vs. denn
Both words mean "because", but they behave differently:
| weil | denn | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | subordinating conjunction | coordinating conjunction |
| Verb position | verb goes to the end | verb stays in position 2 |
| Example | Ich bleibe zu Hause, weil ich krank bin. | Ich bleibe zu Hause, denn ich bin krank. |
Once you are comfortable with weil, the same verb-final rule applies to German dass clauses — practise both together for faster progress.
Exercise – Build the sentence
All the words of each sentence are shuffled below it. Drag them — or click to select, then click the tray — into the correct order. Remember: in the weil clause the verb goes to the very end.
Looking for more A2 grammar practice? Try the als oder wie exercise to sharpen your comparison structures.
For further reading on German subordinate clauses, the DW Learn German platform and the Goethe-Institut free exercises are excellent free resources.
