There are four main categories of connectors used to join clauses, each with a strict impact on the word order of the clause that follows.
1Story in Action
Einen Abend planen
Tom: Hey Lena! Ich muss für eine Prüfung lernen, denn sie ist schon morgen. Kannst du mir vielleicht helfen?
Hey Lena! I have to study for an exam, because it's already tomorrow. Can you maybe help me?
Coordinating Conjunction ('denn')
'Denn' (because) connects two main clauses and does not change the word order. The sentence continues normally with Subject-Verb.
..., denn + Subject + Verb + ...
Lena: Oh nein! Was für eine Prüfung ist das denn? Ich habe heute Abend eigentlich andere Pläne, aber ich kann meine Verabredung absagen.
Oh no! What kind of exam is that? I actually have other plans tonight, but I can cancel my appointment.
Coordinating Conjunction ('aber')
'Aber' (but) connects two contrasting main clauses without changing word order. Both clauses maintain Subject-Verb structure.
..., aber + Subject + Verb + ...
Tom: Es ist eine Geschichtsprüfung über das Mittelalter. Mein Angebot ist zwar spontan, aber vielleicht hilft es dir auch - wir könnten zusammen lernen!
It's a history exam about the Middle Ages. My offer is spontaneous, it's true, but maybe it will help you too - we could study together!
Two-Part Connector ('zwar... aber')
'Zwar... aber' (admittedly... but) makes a concession and then states a contrast. 'Aber' does not change the word order.
Clause 1 (with 'zwar'), aber + Subject + Verb + ...
Lena: Geschichte mag ich eigentlich gern! Und ich sehe, dass du ziemlich gestresst bist, deshalb wäre meine Hilfe sicher gut für dich.
I actually like history! And I can see that you're quite stressed, that's why my help would certainly be good for you.
Conjunctive Adverb ('deshalb')
'Deshalb' (that's why) shows a result. It takes Position 1 in the clause, forcing the verb ('wäre') into Position 2, followed by the subject.
..., deshalb + Verb + Subject + ...
Tom: Das ist super! Wo sollen wir lernen? Wir können bei mir lernen, weil ich alle Bücher hier habe. Außerdem ist mein Zimmer sehr ruhig.
That's great! Where should we study? We can study at my place because I have all the books here. Besides, my room is very quiet.
Subordinating Conjunction ('weil')
'Weil' (because) introduces a subordinate clause, which sends the conjugated verb ('habe') to the very end of the clause.
..., weil + Subject + ... + Verb.
Adverb ('außerdem')
'Außerdem' (besides, moreover) adds another point. In Position 1, it forces the verb ('ist') to come next in Position 2.
Adverb + Verb + Subject + ...
Lena: Bei dir ist eine gute Idee. Ich komme gerne vorbei, obwohl ich eigentlich auch müde bin. Aber zusammen lernen macht mehr Spaß!
At your place is a good idea. I'll gladly come over, even though I'm actually tired too. But studying together is more fun!
Subordinating Conjunction ('obwohl')
'Obwohl' (although) introduces a contrasting idea and, like 'weil', sends the conjugated verb ('bin') to the end of the clause.
..., obwohl + Subject + ... + Verb.
Tom: Wann kannst du kommen? Du kannst kommen entweder jetzt sofort oder in einer Stunde. Ich bin flexibel!
When can you come? You can come either right now or in an hour. I'm flexible!
Two-Part Connector ('entweder... oder')
'Entweder... oder' (either... or) connects two alternatives. It does not change the word order in the clauses.
Connects two words, phrases, or main clauses.
Lena: Hmm, ich muss schnell nach Hause fahren, um meine Notizen zu holen. Und ich sollte auch meiner Mutter Bescheid sagen, dass ich später komme.
Hmm, I have to quickly drive home in order to get my notes. And I should also let my mother know that I'll be home later.
Final Clause ('um...zu...')
The 'um...zu + infinitive' structure explains the purpose or goal of an action (why?). It can only be used if the subject in both clauses is the same.
..., um + ... + zu + Infinitiv.
Tom: Kein Problem! Wie lange brauchst du denn? Danach kommst du einfach zu mir. Soll ich inzwischen schon mal die Bücher rauslegen?
No problem! How long do you need? Afterwards, you just come to me. Should I lay out the books in the meantime?
Temporal Adverb ('danach')
'Danach' (afterwards) is a time adverb. When it starts a sentence (Position 1), the verb ('kommst') must come next (Position 2).
Adverb + Verb + Subject + ...
Lena: Ja, das ist eine gute Idee! Während du die Bücher vorbereitest, könnte ich auch schnell einkaufen gehen. Wir brauchen sicher Snacks für den langen Abend.
Yes, that's a good idea! While you prepare the books, I could also quickly go shopping. We'll surely need snacks for the long evening.
Subordinating Conjunction ('während')
'Während' (while) introduces a subordinate clause describing a simultaneous action. The verb ('vorbereitest') goes to the end of the clause.
..., während + Subject + ... + Verb.
Tom: Oh, das ist eine tolle Idee! Während du unterwegs bist, könnte ich eine Pizza für uns bestellen. Was denkst du?
Oh, that's a great idea! While you are on your way, I could order a pizza for us. What do you think?
Subordinating Conjunction ('während')
'Während' (while) introduces a subordinate clause describing a simultaneous action. The verb ('bist') goes to the end of the clause.
..., während + Subject + ... + Verb.
Lena: Pizza ist perfekt! Trotzdem habe ich eine Bitte: Fang nicht ohne mich an zu lernen! Ich möchte nichts verpassen.
Pizza is perfect! Nevertheless, I have one request: Don't start studying without me! I don't want to miss anything.
Concessive Adverb ('trotzdem')
'Trotzdem' (nevertheless, despite that) introduces a surprising or contrasting result. As an adverb in Position 1, it is followed by the verb ('habe').
Adverb + Verb + Subject + ...
Tom: Natürlich nicht! Außerdem muss ich sowieso warten, bis der Lieferdienst die Pizza bringt. Das dauert meistens 30-40 Minuten.
Of course not! Besides, I have to wait anyway until the delivery service brings the pizza. That usually takes 30-40 minutes.
Adverb ('außerdem')
'Außerdem' (besides, moreover) adds another point. In Position 1, it forces the verb ('muss') to come next.
Adverb + Verb + Subject + ...
Subordinating Conjunction ('bis')
'Bis' (until) is a temporal subordinating conjunction. It introduces a clause and sends the conjugated verb ('bringt') to the end.
..., bis + Subject + ... + Verb.
Lena: Super! Dann habe ich genug Zeit. Bevor ich losfahre, muss ich nur noch meinen Laptop einpacken, damit wir auch digitale Quellen nutzen können.
Great! Then I have enough time. Before I leave, I just need to pack my laptop so that we can also use digital sources.
Subordinating Conjunction ('bevor')
'Bevor' (before) introduces a temporal subordinate clause. The conjugated verb ('losfahre') moves to the end of the clause.
Bevor + Subject + ... + Verb, ...
Final Conjunction ('damit')
'Damit' (so that) introduces a purpose clause with a different subject. Unlike 'um...zu', it can be used when subjects differ between clauses.
..., damit + Subject + ... + Verb.
Tom: Perfekt! Ich freue mich schon darauf. Falls du Probleme hast, mich zu finden, ruf mich einfach an, okay?
Perfect! I'm already looking forward to it. In case you have problems finding me, just call me, okay?
Conditional Conjunction ('falls')
'Falls' (in case, if) introduces a conditional subordinate clause. The main verb ('hast') goes to the end, and the infinitive construction ('zu finden') follows normal rules.
Falls + Subject + ... + Verb, ...
Lena: Wird gemacht! Bis gleich, Tom. Und vielen Dank, dass du mich einlädst, obwohl du eigentlich allein lernen wolltest!
Will do! See you soon, Tom. And thank you so much for inviting me, even though you originally wanted to study alone!
Subordinating Conjunction ('obwohl')
'Obwohl' (even though) introduces a contrasting subordinate clause. The modal verb ('wolltest') goes to the end of the clause.
..., obwohl + Subject + ... + Verb.
Tom: Gern geschehen! Zusammen lernen ist viel besser, als allein zu büffeln. Also, bis später!
You're welcome! Studying together is much better than cramming alone. So, see you later!
Comparative with 'als' + Infinitive
'Als' (than) is used in comparisons. Here it's followed by an infinitive construction 'zu + büffeln' (to cram), creating a comparative statement.
Comparative + als + ... (word/phrase/infinitive)
2Why This Matters
Mastering connectors turns your German from a string of simple sentences into a flowing, persuasive argument—exactly what examiners award top marks for. With them you can express cause, contrast, and consequence in real time, sounding articulate instead of robotic.
3The 'ADUSO' Group (Position 0)
These connectors do not affect the word order of the clause that follows. They sit in 'Position 0,' meaning the clause after them starts normally with the subject (Position 1) and then the verb (Position 2).
Positioning: They count as position 0; therefore the second clause starts with the subject in position 1 and the finite verb in position 2.
Comma: Comma before the connector when linking two full finite clauses.
Negation With Sondern: A Common Point of Confusion: When to use aber vs. sondern. Use sondern only after a negative statement (like nicht or kein) to introduce a correction or a direct alternative. For example: Ich komme nicht heute, sondern ich komme morgen.
| Example | English | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
4Inversion (Adverbs)
These words demand inversion. They take up Position 1 of their clause, forcing the conjugated verb into Position 2. The subject gets pushed to Position 3.
Positioning: Connector = Position 1 → finite verb = Position 2 → subject = Position 3.
Comma: Mandatory comma between the two main clauses.
Contrastive Trotzdem: 'trotzdem' contrasts expectation vs. reality; 'deshalb' shows consequence; 'infolgedessen' is formal for consequence.
Flowchart: Clause 1 , [Connector] + V + S + …
| Example | English | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
5Subordinate Clause
The conjugated verb is always sent to the very end of the dependent clause.
Positioning: Connector introduces the sub-clause → ALL other elements → finite verb in final position.
Als_vs_wenn: 'als' = single completed past event, 'wenn' = repeated or hypothetical events.
Time Sequence: nachdem (after), bevor (before), während (during) – pay attention to tense sequence.
Comma: A sub-clause is separated from the main clause by a comma. When the Subordinate Clause Comes First: If you start the sentence with the subordinate clause, the entire clause fills Position 1 of the sentence. This means the very next word must be the verb of the main clause.
Flowchart: [Connector] + … + V-final , Main-clause (V-S …)
| Example | English | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
6Two-Part Connectors
Each part follows the word-order rule of its clause (e.g., ‘aber’ behaves like Position 0, ‘sondern auch’ triggers normal main-clause order).
Zwar Aber: 'zwar' is optional and never affects word order; 'aber' behaves as Position 0 → Subject-Verb.
Entweder Oder: Both parts can be full clauses or elliptical phrases. Each clause keeps its own word order rules.
Nicht Nur Sondern: 'nicht nur' clause keeps its normal order; 'sondern auch' follows the same rule as 'aber' (Position 0).
Weder Noch: Both parts must be parallel in structure; neither part triggers inversion on its own.
| Example | English | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
7Practice Exercises
Ich kann nicht kommen, __ ich arbeiten muss.
71 graded exercises on Sentence Structure & Connectors, with the mistake explained every time you get one wrong.
10 more B1 grammar topics — see them all