📚 What are Conjunctions?
If you have more than one clause in a sentence, the clauses are usually connected by a linking word. These linking words are conjunctions — words such as and, or, but, because.
Types of Relationships
| Adding | and | und |
|---|---|---|
| Alternative | or | oder |
| Reason | because | denn / weil |
| Condition | if | wenn |
| Contrast | but, however | aber / sondern |
| Time | when | als / wenn |
🔀 Two Main Groups in German
In German, conjunctions are divided into two main groups:
Co-ordinating conjunctions like aber and oder combine two main clauses and do not affect word order.
Subordinating conjunctions like dass and obwohl introduce a subordinate clause and send the finite verb to the end.
Co-ordinating Conjunctions
The most important co-ordinating conjunctions are:
| und | and | Adding information |
|---|---|---|
| aber | but | Contrast (comma before) |
| oder | or | Alternative |
| denn | because | Reason (comma before) |
| sondern | but (after negative) | Contradicting negative |
und (and)
Used exactly like English and. Links clauses by adding them on:
aber (but)
Used like English but. The second clause contains contrasting information:
oder (or)
The second clause expresses an alternative:
denn (because)
Introduces the clause which gives a reason:
sondern (but — after negative)
Expresses but after a negative statement:
Subordinating Conjunctions
Most Important Subordinating Conjunctions
| dass | that | After verbs like glauben, meinen, denken, sagen |
|---|---|---|
| obwohl | although | Expressing contrast/qualification |
| weil | because | Reason (more common than denn in speech) |
| als | when (past) | Single event or period in the past |
| wenn | if, when | Condition OR regular past events |
| ob | whether | Indirect questions |
| nachdem | after | Time sequence |
| während | during | Simultaneous actions |
Word Order Visual Diagram
Main clause (normal order):
With subordinating conjunction (verb goes to end):
dass (that)
Used after verbs like glauben (believe), meinen (be of the opinion), denken (think), or with reported speech:
obwohl (although)
Expresses a qualification or contrast:
weil (because)
Used for because — similar to denn but more common in spoken German:
als vs wenn (when)
als — single past events:
wenn — regular/repeated events:
wenn (if) — Conditional
🔄 Two Verbs in a Subordinate Clause
If there is more than one verb form in a subordinate clause, the finite verb (the verb that changes its form) moves to the very last position:
⏮️ Starting with a Subordinate Clause
It is common in German to start a sentence with a subordinate clause. In this case:
- The finite verb of the subordinate clause goes to the end.
- The finite verb of the main clause moves to the front.
- The two finite verbs stand next to each other, separated by a comma.
✏️ Use of Commas
Also remember commas before:
- aber (but)
- denn (because)
- sondern (but after negative)
📋 Main Points to Remember
- ✓ If you link two clauses with und and the subject is the same, you don't need to repeat it in the second clause.
- ✓ denn and weil both mean because — but weil sends the verb to the end.
- ✓ wenn and als have slightly different meanings — use als for single past events, wenn for regular/repeated events.
- ✓ In a subordinate clause, the finite verb is always at the end.
- ✓ There is always a comma before conjunctions introducing a subordinate clause and before aber and denn.
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← From Previous (e26)
Building on: E26
You can now connect ideas and clauses with conjunctions to create more complex German sentences.
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Prepare for: E28
Continue exploring German grammar with more advanced structures and sentence patterns.