Indefinite Relative Pronoun: wer

In a standard relative clause, you have a specific noun first. For example, Der Mann, der dort steht.... Here, der refers back to der Mann. But with wer, there is no noun before it. The pronoun wer acts as the antecedent itself. It introduces a relative clause that stands alone at the start. This clause then acts as the subject or object of the main clause. Because of this, we call it "indefinite." It doesn't point to Peter or Maria. It points to "anyone who fits the description." To make the connection clear, the main clause often uses a "resumptive" pronoun. These are words like der, den, or dem. They act like a relay runner taking the baton. wer starts the thought, and der carries it to the finish line. This second pronoun is often mandatory if the cases change between clauses. It keeps the sentence structurally sound and easy to follow. Without it, the sentence can feel like it's missing a limb. It’s a bit like a double-decker bus. Both levels need to align for a smooth ride.

1. 1Start your sentence with the correct case of wer (wer, wen, wem, wessen).
2. 2Place the verb of the relative clause at the end of that clause.
3. 3Add a comma to separate the relative clause from the main clause.
4. 4Use a demonstrative pronoun (der, den, dem, dessen) to start the main clause.
5. 5Ensure the demonstrative pronoun matches the case required by the main verb.
6. 6Put the main clause verb immediately after this demonstrative pronoun.
7. 7Keep everything in the singular, even if referring to a group of people.
8. 8Remember that wer is grammatically masculine but refers to all genders.

Use wer when you are stating a universal truth or a proverb. It is the gold standard for general wisdom. For instance, Wer rastet, der rostet (Whoever rests, rusts). It is also perfect for defining groups in a professional setting. "Whoever reaches the target gets a bonus" sounds great with wer. It works beautifully for job requirements too. Use it in legal contexts where a rule applies to anyone who breaks it. It's also handy when you want to be gender-neutral without using complex constructions. Since wer is inherently general, it covers everyone. Use it when you want to sound authoritative and clear. It’s great for philosophical debates or when giving advice to a friend. "Whoever doesn't try, has already lost" is a classic example. It gives your German a rhythmic, confident quality. You’ll find it in advertisements quite often too. It’s a very punchy way to address an audience.

Never use wer when you are talking about a specific, known person. If you say Mein Bruder, wer in Berlin lebt, you will get some funny looks. Use der instead. wer is too vague for your family members. Also, don't use it if you have already mentioned the noun. If the antecedent is present, wer is forbidden. It only works when the "who" is unknown or general. Avoid using it for objects or abstract concepts. For those, you need was (e.g., Was ich nicht weiß...). Don't use it if you need to specify a particular gender for clarity. While wer is inclusive, sometimes you need Diejenige, die... to be specific. Finally, don't use it in very informal, sloppy speech where simple sentences are preferred. It’s a bit too elegant for a quick "Hi" at the bus stop. Using it correctly shows you have reached a high level of language awareness.

The most frequent trap is the "case mismatch." People often use wer twice. Wer mich anruft, wer kriegt eine Antwort is wrong. You must switch to der/den/dem in the second part. Another big mistake is forgetting the resumptive pronoun when the cases differ. If the first part is Nominative but the second is Dative, you need dem. For example: Wer lügt, dem glaube ich nicht. Many learners also try to use plural verbs. Wer gehen wollen... is a no-go. Even if you mean many people, wer always takes a singular verb. It's a singular word with a plural heart. Don't forget the comma! German is very strict about separating these clauses. Think of the comma as a mandatory pause for breath. Also, watch out for the Genitive wessen. It’s rare, but using wer sein Auto instead of wessen Auto is a classic C1 error. Stay sharp on your cases, and you'll avoid these pitfalls.

You might wonder: why not just say Derjenige, der...? You can, but wer is much more concise. Derjenige, der sounds very formal, almost like a lawyer speaking. wer is the athletic version of that phrase. It gets to the point faster. Another alternative is Alle, die.... This uses the plural. Alle, die kommen, bekommen ein Geschenk. This is more common in casual speech. However, wer has a more timeless, proverbial feel. It's like the difference between a pop song and a classical symphony. Both are good, but they fit different moods. Use wer for impact and brevity. Use Alle, die for everyday plural descriptions. Use Derjenige, der when you want to be extremely precise and formal. Mastering the contrast between these three will make your German feel natural and varied.