German Relative Clauses with Prepositions: Rules, Examples & Common Mistakes

Introduction

Relative clauses in German refine your statements by providing extra details about a preceding noun or pronoun. When a preposition is involved, the structure becomes more advanced. Relative clauses with prepositions require special attention to case selection and word order, ensuring the sentence remains clear.

This article explains why these clauses matter, how they relate to German prepositions, and how you can integrate them into your German skills. If you need a recap on German cases, see German cases.

How Do Prepositions Affect Relative Clauses?

In relative clauses, a preposition can appear with a relative pronoun (der, die, das) to establish the relationship between the main clause and the subordinate clause. This preposition sets the case of the pronoun, influencing how the entire clause is structured.

What Role Do Prepositions Play?

A preposition in a relative clause attaches to the relative pronoun. For example, in “Das ist das Buch, auf das ich mich freue.” the phrase “auf das” clarifies that “auf” is linked to “das Buch.”

How Prepositions Influence the Relative Pronoun

The preposition often forces the pronoun into a specific case. If the preposition always takes the dative, you would adapt it based on the preposition. For an overview of how certain prepositions demand, refer to our
guide: here.

Sentence Structure in Relative Clauses with Prepositions

In German, the relative pronoun and its preposition appear together at the start of the relative clause if the preposition is refering to the pronoun (Preposition + Relative Pronoun + rest of the clause).

Choosing the Right Relative Pronoun

You must select the correct pronoun (der, die, das, denen etc.) according to case and gender. The preposition establishes the case, while the antecedent determines the gender and number. For an overview of relative pronouns, see
German Relative Clauses.

The Declension of “der, die, das” After a Preposition

Some prepositions take dative, some accusative, some genitive, and others vary (two-way prepositions). Whichever case is required, the relative pronoun must match that case. For instance:

• Dative: mit dem, bei der
• Accusative: für den, ohne das
• Genitive: trotz dessen

How to Determine the Case of the Relative Pronoun

Ask which preposition you are using. If it is an, in, or auf, consider whether there is locomotion (accusative) or location (dative), referencing rules from
two-way prepositions. For mit or nach, you know it’s dative; for durch or ohne, you take accusative.

Word Order in Relative Clauses with Prepositions

Relative clauses in German place the conjugated verb at the end. When a preposition is involved, it should typically appear right before the relative pronoun at the start of the subordinate clause if it refers to the relative pronoun.

Where Does the Preposition Go?

Modern practice: Preposition + relative pronoun at the start of the subordinate clause. For example, “Das ist die Stadt, in der ich wohne.”

Difference Between Preposition + Relative Pronoun vs. Preposition at the End

Historically, you might see forms like “der ich wohne in” in very old or poetic German, but standard usage now keeps “in” together with the pronoun: “in der ich wohne.”

Examples of Correct and Incorrect Word Order

• Correct: “Das ist das Haus, in dem ich wohne.”
• Incorrect: “Das ist das Haus, dem ich wohne in.”

When does the preposition not come before the relative pronoun?

In some sentences, a preposition is linked to another element (such as a noun or pronoun in the main clause) rather than the relative pronoun. For example:

• Das Haus, das Karl für viel Geld gekauft hat, ist schön. The house that Karl bought for a lot of money is beautiful.
  Here, “für viel Geld” connects to the purchase (bought for a lot of money), not to the relative pronoun “das.”
• Die Party, die wir bis spät in die Nacht gefeiert haben, war laut. (The party, which we celebrated late into the night, was loud.)
  The phrase “bis spät in die Nacht” modifies how long the party lasted, rather than referring to the relative pronoun “die.”

In such cases, the preposition does not introduce the relative clause.

Practical Examples of Relative Clauses with Prepositions

Different prepositions can appear in relative clauses. Below are some frequent examples.

Common Prepositions Used in Relative Clauses

Prepositions like an, auf, in, mit, nach, für, über often introduce relative clauses. For more details on these prepositions, see:

• Dative prepositions
• Accusative prepositions
• Two-Way prepositions
• Genitive prepositions

Examples with Dative Prepositions

• Das ist der Tisch, mit dem ich arbeite. (This is the table that I work with.)
• Sie besucht die Stadt, in der sie studiert hat. (She visits the city where she studied.)

Examples with Accusative Prepositions

• Der Film, für den ich mich interessiere, läuft heute. (The film I’m interested in is showing today.)
• Es gibt ein Projekt, ohne das wir nicht weiterkommen. (There is one project without which we cannot move forward.)

Examples with Two-Way Prepositions

• Das ist das Café, in dem wir sitzen. (This is the café where we are sitting.)
• Das ist das Museum, in das ich gehe. (This is the museum I go to.)

Examples with Genitive Prepositions

• Das Haus, dessen Eigentümer Tom heißt, ist sehr schön. (The house, whose owner is called Tom, is very nice.)
• Die Familie, deren Kinder in die Schule gehen, sind in den Urlaub gefahren. (The family, whose children go to school, have gone on holiday.)

Special Cases in Relative Clauses with Prepositions

Verbs That Require a Specific Preposition

Some verbs form fixed expressions with particular prepositions, e.g., warten auf, träumen von, denken an. For example:

• Das ist der Freund, auf den ich warte. (This is the friend I’m waiting for.)

Fixed Prepositional Phrases in German

Certain idiomatic expressions also appear in relative clauses:

• Die Idee, auf die ich gekommen bin, ist interessant (The idea I came up with is interesting.)

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Choosing the Wrong Relative Pronoun After a Preposition

Always align the pronoun’s case with the preposition’s requirement. For instance, “nach dem” or “für den.”

Incorrect Preposition Placement

Don’t separate the preposition from the pronoun if the preposition refers to the pronoun. Then keep them together at the beginning of the clause.

• Die Frau, mit der du zusammen arbeitest, ist sehr freundlich. (The woman you work with is very friendly.)

If the preposition is not refering to the relative clause, then it is not placed at the beginning Example:

• Die Frau, die in dem Geschäft ein Eis kauft, ist unsere Nachbarin. (The woman buying an ice cream in the shop is our neighbour.)

Mistakes with Dative vs. Accusative Relative Pronouns

If you’re uncertain about which case a preposition needs, see this overview: here.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• German relative clauses with prepositions combine the preposition and the relative pronoun at the start of the subordinate clause if the preposition refers to the pronoun.
• The preposition’s case requirement dictates the pronoun’s form (dem, den, der, etc.).
• Practice with verbs that demand specific prepositions to ensure consistency and accuracy.
• When in doubt, ask whether the preposition is dative, accusative, genitive, or variable (two-way).

FAQ: Answers to Common Questions

What Is the Most Common Mistake When Using Relative Clauses with Prepositions?

Placing the preposition at the end of the clause instead of pairing it with the relative pronoun is a frequent error.

How Do I Know Which Preposition to Use?

Many verbs or expressions dictate their own preposition. Also, nouns may require a certain preposition.

Do Native Speakers Always Use These Structures?

Yes. They often simplify or use shorter clauses, but relative clauses with prepositions appear in both formal and informal speech.