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Relative clauses with prepositions

🔍 1. Overview & key points​

  • A relative clause (Relativsatz) is used to modify a noun that comes before.
  • When that noun relates to a preposition, the preposition must come before the relative pronoun in the clause.

❗ This is a point where B2 learners often make mistakes: placing the preposition incorrectly, choosing the wrong pronoun (dem, der, denen...), or writing the sentence order incorrectly.

🔹 Correct structure when a preposition is involved:​

Main clause, preposition + relative pronoun … verb at the end.
(Main clause), (preposition + relative pronoun) … (verb at the end).

📘 2. Table of relative pronouns with prepositions​

PrepositionDative SingularAccusative SingularDative Plural
mitmit dem/der–mit denen
auf–auf den/die/das–
über–über den/die/das–
vonvon dem/der–von denen
für–für den/die/das–
beibei dem/der–bei denen

⚠️ The relative pronoun changes according to the gender + number + case of the noun it replaces, NOT according to the subject!

📚 3. Examples of relative clauses with prepositions​

🔸 A. With accusative (preposition with the verb)​

Das ist der Mann, auf den ich warte.
– That is the man I am waiting for.

Ich habe ein Thema, über das ich sprechen möchte.
– I have a topic I would like to talk about.

Sie sucht ein Hotel, für das sie nicht zu viel bezahlen muss.
– She is looking for a hotel that she doesn’t have to pay too much for.

🔸 B. With dative​

Das ist die Frau, mit der ich gesprochen habe.
– That is the woman I spoke with.

Der Computer, bei dem ich arbeite, ist alt.
– The computer I work at is old.

Der Student, von dem ich die Idee gehört habe, ist sehr klug.
– The student from whom I heard the idea is very smart.

🔸 C. Plural​

The children, mit denen wir gespielt haben, waren sehr nett.
– The children we played with were very nice.

The problems, über die wir gesprochen haben, sind gelöst.
– The problems we talked about are solved.

🧠 4. Academic style & complex sentences​

📌 This form appears frequently in academic writing, argumentative texts, and formal letters.

There are many aspects we must pay attention to.
– Es gibt viele Aspekte, auf die wir achten müssen.

The concepts the author works with are theoretically complex.
– Die Konzepte, mit denen die Autorin arbeitet, sind theoretisch komplex.

The company I did an internship at offers good working conditions.
– Das Unternehmen, bei dem ich ein Praktikum gemacht habe, bietet gute Arbeitsbedingungen.

🔧 5. Common mistakes​

❌ Wrong✅ Correct📌 Explanation
The woman, I have with her spoken.The woman, with whom I have spoken.Wrong order & form
The book, I have spoken about it.The book, about which I have spoken.Preposition must come before the pronoun
The colleague, I work with.The colleague, with whom I work.Redundant word, wrong preposition position

📝 6. Quick summary​

  • A relative clause with preposition → preposition comes before relative pronoun.
  • The relative pronoun changes according to the gender, number, case of the noun it replaces, NOT the subject.
  • Common in academic writing, formal letters, essays.
  • Frequent mistakes: wrong preposition position, redundant/misordered words, wrong case usage.

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