Verb order with multiple verbs in subordinate clauses

In brief

When a German subordinate clause contains several verbs, their order depends on the verb combination. With a modal verb in the present tense, the main verb comes before the conjugated modal: weil sie arbeiten muss. In the perfect tense, a modal verb used with another verb takes an infinitive instead of a past participle; haben then comes before both infinitives: weil sie hat arbeiten müssen.

Form

Present + modal: weil + … + main verb (infinitive) + modal. Perfect + modal or lassen: weil + … + haben (conjugated) + main verb (infinitive) + modal/lassen (infinitive). Other combinations can end with the conjugated auxiliary: weil + … + geprüft worden ist.

Usage

• Use the infinitive of the main verb before a present-tense modal in clauses introduced by weil, dass or obwohl.
• In the perfect tense with a modal and another verb, put conjugated haben before the two infinitives; the same pattern occurs with lassen plus another verb.
• Do not apply that haben pattern to every multi-verb clause: in the perfect passive, worden ist stays at the end.

Examples

• Ich gehe früher, weil ich morgen länger arbeiten muss. — I’m leaving early because I have to work longer tomorrow.
• Sie ist müde, weil sie gestern länger hat arbeiten müssen. — She’s tired because she had to work longer yesterday.
• Wir nehmen den Bus, weil wir das Auto haben reparieren lassen. — We’re taking the bus because we had the car repaired.
• Der Antrag kann weiterbearbeitet werden, weil er bereits geprüft worden ist. — The application can be processed further because it has already been reviewed.

Common mistake

❌ Sie ist müde, weil sie gestern länger arbeiten müssen hat.

✅ Sie ist müde, weil sie gestern länger hat arbeiten müssen.

With a modal in the perfect tense and another infinitive, conjugated haben precedes the two infinitives in the subordinate clause.

Remember

With perfect-tense modals and lassen plus another verb, place haben before the infinitive pair.