Conditions with wenn and falls
State real and hypothetical conditions.
The rule
Wenn introduces neutral conditions or repeated situations; falls highlights a possible contingency. Use Konjunktiv II when presenting a hypothetical or counterfactual situation.
wenn = neutral/repeated · falls = possible contingency · Konjunktiv II = hypothetical
Use wenn for neutral conditions and repeated relationships.
Use falls when emphasising that the condition may or may not occur.
Use Konjunktiv II in unreal or remote conditions and results.
Core forms and structures
Use this table as a reference, then retrieve the forms without looking.
| Form | Function | German example | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pattern 1 | A real condition uses indicative and main-clause inversion. | Wenn es regnet, bleiben wir zu Hause. | If it rains, we stay home. |
| Pattern 2 | Falls marks a possible contingency. | Falls du später kommst, ruf bitte an. | If you happen to come later, please call. |
| Pattern 3 | Hypothetical present uses Konjunktiv II in condition and result. | Wenn ich mehr Zeit hätte, würde ich reisen. | If I had more time, I would travel. |
| Pattern 4 | Formal conditional inversion can use sollte without wenn. | Sollte es Probleme geben, melden Sie sich. | Should there be problems, contact us. |
| Pattern 5 | Es sei denn introduces an exception condition with main-clause order. | Ich komme, es sei denn, ich werde krank. | I will come unless I get ill. |
German examples with English meanings
Wenn es regnet, bleiben wir zu Hause.
If it rains, we stay home.
A real condition uses indicative and main-clause inversion.
Falls du später kommst, ruf bitte an.
If you happen to come later, please call.
Falls marks a possible contingency.
Wenn ich mehr Zeit hätte, würde ich reisen.
If I had more time, I would travel.
Hypothetical present uses Konjunktiv II in condition and result.
Sollte es Probleme geben, melden Sie sich.
Should there be problems, contact us.
Formal conditional inversion can use sollte without wenn.
Ich komme, es sei denn, ich werde krank.
I will come unless I get ill.
Es sei denn introduces an exception condition with main-clause order.
Common mistakes
Incorrect: Wenn es regnet, wir bleiben zu Hause.
Correct: Wenn es regnet, bleiben wir zu Hause.
A real condition uses indicative and main-clause inversion.
Incorrect: Als du später kommst, ruf bitte an.
Correct: Falls du später kommst, ruf bitte an.
Falls marks a possible contingency.
Incorrect: Wenn ich mehr Zeit habe, würde ich gereist.
Correct: Wenn ich mehr Zeit hätte, würde ich reisen.
Hypothetical present uses Konjunktiv II in condition and result.
Incorrect: Würde es Probleme gibt, melden Sie sich.
Correct: Sollte es Probleme geben, melden Sie sich.
Formal conditional inversion can use sollte without wenn.
Incorrect: Ich komme, außer wenn ich werde krank.
Correct: Ich komme, es sei denn, ich werde krank.
Es sei denn introduces an exception condition with main-clause order.
Details and useful distinctions
A first-position condition clause is followed by the main-clause finite verb.
Practise this grammar
Choose real, contingency, or hypothetical first; then select wenn, falls, or Konjunktiv II and check verb-final condition order.
Open Conditions with wenn and falls exercises →
For source references and editorial level notes, see the grammar reference. You can report a correction if an explanation or example seems wrong.