Where does the main (auxiliary) verb go in a subordinating clause when the perfect tense is formed with a modal verb?

This is a slight technicality of German word order. Whilst the normal rule for a clause following a subordinating conjunction (e.g. dass, weil, obwohl) is to place the main verb at the end of the clause (e.g. '... weil wir meinen Onkel besucht haben'), when there are two infinitives dependent on the main (auxiliary) verb in a subordinate clause, the main verb immediately precedes the infinitives.
Consider the following sentence: 'Wir haben meinen Onkel besuchen können'. This clause exhibits a perfect tense formation with 'können', where 'können' acts as an infinitival part participle. If this clause is subordinated, the correct formation would be as follows: 'Ich bin froh, weil wir meinen Onkel haben besuchen können.'

WT
Answered by Will T. German tutor

3453 Views

See similar German A Level tutors

Related German A Level answers

All answers ▸

Analyse the following proverb: Aller Anfang ist schwer.


Why is it "Ich gehe mit DEM Freund aus" and not "Ich gehe mit DER Freund aus?"


How do I become confident in speaking another language?


How does the gender of words work in German?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning