What Are “Weiterführende Relativsätze” (Continuative Relative Clauses)?

Weiterführende Nebensätze (also known as non-attributive relative clauses) do not refer to a single noun, as attributive relative clauses do. Instead, they relate to the entire preceding clause or statement. They add a comment, consequence, explanation, or reason to the overall idea and can therefore connect two main clauses at the sentence level.

• They typically follow a main clause.
• They often begin with relative connectors such as “was”, “wo(r)-”, “weshalb”, etc.
• They are separated by a comma.
• Although their structure resembles a relative clause, they function as a comment or explanation on the previous sentence.

1. Continuative Relative Clauses with “was”

Usage:

“was” refers to the entire content of the previous sentence, usually an action, situation, or statement.

Rules:

• “was” does not replace a specific noun, but refers to an abstract idea or fact (e.g., an event or statement).
• It is invariable and never changes.
• The verb is placed at the end of the clause, as in all German subordinate clauses.

Examples:

1. 1. 1. He didn’t pass the exam, which really surprised me.
         → Er hat die Prüfung nicht bestanden, was mich sehr überrascht hat.
      2. She cancelled again, which is typical of her.
         → Sie hat schon wieder abgesagt, was typisch für sie ist.
      3. He lied, which destroyed the trust.
         → Er hat gelogen, was das Vertrauen zerstört hat.

2. Continuative Relative Clauses with “wo(r)- + preposition”

Usage:

This construction replaces a prepositional reference to the entire preceding clause, especially when the preposition is logically required by a verb or expression in the main clause.

Rules:

• “wo(r)- + preposition” is used when the relative clause refers back to a verb, adjective, or expression with a preposition.
• There is no concrete noun; instead, the clause refers to the entire preceding statement.
• The preposition must logically match the verb or phrase used in the main clause.
• Common forms include: worüber, worauf, woran, worunter, etc.

Examples:

1. 1. 1. He promised to be on time, which I relied on.
         → Er versprach, pünktlich zu sein, worauf ich mich verlassen habe.
      2. She played very loud music, which the neighbors complained about.
         → Sie hat sehr laut Musik gespielt, worüber sich die Nachbarn beschwert haben.
      3. You organized everything well, which shows that you have a lot of experience.
         → Du hast alles gut organisiert, woran man merkt, dass du viel Erfahrung hast.

3. Continuative Clauses with “weshalb / weswegen / woraufhin”

Usage:

These conjunctions express a result or a reason (similar to “therefore”, “that’s why”, “for this reason”).

Rules:

• The relative clause with “weshalb / weswegen / woraufhin” expresses a logical connection – usually a cause or a consequence.
• They are mainly used in formal language and in writing.
• The relative clause again refers to the entire preceding sentence.

Examples:

1. 1. 1. She called in sick, which is why the meeting was postponed.
         → Sie hat sich krank gemeldet, weshalb das Meeting verschoben wurde.
      2. He was very rude, which is why nobody wanted to work with him.
         → Er war sehr unfreundlich, weswegen niemand mit ihm arbeiten wollte.
      3. The student was well prepared, as a result of which he passed with top marks.
         → Der Schüler war gut vorbereitet, woraufhin er die Prüfung mit Bestnote bestand.

Key Differences at a Glance