German Conjunctions

German conjunctions are crucial for building complex sentences. They are divided into two main groups that dictate word order, which is the most important thing to learn here.

The Two Main Types: Coordinating vs. Subordinating

The type of conjunction you use determines the position of the verb.

1. Coordinating Conjunctions

These conjunctions connect two main clauses (independent clauses) that are equal in importance. The word order remains straightforward: the verb stays in the second position.

The rule: Subject + Verb + ...

The most common ones can be remembered with the acronym ADUSO:

• Aber (but)

• Denn (because)

• Und (and)

• Sondern (but rather - after a negation)

• Oder (or)

Examples:

• Ich lerne Deutsch, aber er lernt Spanisch.
  (I learn German, but he learns Spanish.)

  • Verb (lernt) is in the second position of its clause.

• Ich bleibe zu Hause, denn ich bin krank.
  (I'm staying home because I am sick.)

  • Note: denn is a less common, more formal way to say "because." It does not send the verb to the end like weil.

• Er mag Kaffee, und sie mag Tee.
  (He likes coffee, and she likes tea.)

• Das ist nicht grün, sondern blau.
  (That is not green, but rather blue.)

• Möchtest du Kaffee oder Tee?
  (Would you like coffee or tea?)

2. Subordinating Conjunctions

These conjunctions introduce a subordinate clause (a dependent clause) that cannot stand on its own. This is where German grammar gets its famous "verb-at-the-end" rule.

The rule: Conjunction + Subject + ... + Verb

The conjugated verb gets kicked to the very end of the clause.

Here are the most common subordinating conjunctions:

Word Order in Action:

• Main Clause: Ich gehe schlafen (I am going to sleep.)

• Subordinate Clause: weil ich müde bin (because I am tired.)

• Combined: Ich gehe schlafen, weil ich müde bin.

Notice how in the subordinate clause, the conjugated verb bin is at the very end.

A Special Case: "Two-Part Conjunctions" (Korrelate)

Some conjunctions come in two parts that frame the main clause. The most important one is:

entweder ... oder (either ... or)

• Entweder lernst du jetzt, oder du failst die Prüfung.
  (Either you study now, or you will fail the exam.)

The word order in each clause follows the standard rules for main clauses.

A Tricky One: "Als," "Wenn," or "Wann"?

All three can mean "when," but they are used differently.

Practice: Identify the Type and Word Order

1. Ich mag dich, denn du bist nett.

   • Conjunction: denn (coordinating)

   • Word Order: Standard. Verb (bist) is in position 2.

2. Er kann nicht kommen, weil er krank ist.

   • Conjunction: weil (subordinating)

   • Word Order: Verb (ist) is at the end of the clause.

3. Sie geht, obwohl es spät ist.

   • Conjunction: obwohl (subordinating)

   • Word Order: Verb (ist) is at the end.

4. Wir kochen heute, und ihr bringt Dessert mit.

   • Conjunction: und (coordinating)

   • Word Order: Standard. Verb (bringt) is in position 2.

Summary Cheat Sheet

The Mnemonic for Subordinating Conjunctions:
To remember that these conjunctions send the verb to the end, think of the pseudo-word:
WEIL-DASS-OB-WENN (and all the others).

Summary:

• If you use a coordinating conjunction (like und, aber, denn), the sentence structure doesn't change.

• If you use a subordinating conjunction (like weil, dass, wenn), the verb in that clause must go to the very end.