49 Useful German Conjunctions for Linking Phrases and Sentences

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When studying German, one of the vital steps for constructing fluent, coherent sentences is mastering German conjunctions. In English, we regularly use conjunction phrases like “and,” “however,” and “as a result of” to hitch data in a sentence. German conjunctions serve the identical function, however they arrive with particular guidelines, particularly relating to phrase order. Whether or not you’re a newbie or an intermediate learner, understanding German conjunctions will elevate your language expertise and make your German sound extra pure.

What are conjunctions in German?

In easy phrases, a conjunction (or Konjunktion in German) is a phrase that hyperlinks phrases, phrases, and even full sentences collectively, permitting you to precise relationships between concepts. The operate of a conjunction is to attach these parts logically, serving to the sentence circulation naturally. Conjunctions are additionally helpful for connecting two full sentences to make clear and even present contradicting data.

2 kinds of German conjunctions

German conjunctions are categorised into two foremost classes:

1. Coordinating Conjunctions (Koordinierende Konjunktionen)
2. Subordinating Conjunctions (Subordinierende Konjunktionen)

The important thing distinction between these two varieties is how they have an effect on sentence construction, particularly phrase order. Surprisingly, the German circumstances don’t impression how a conjunction is used. Let’s take a look on the two kinds of German conjunctions after which dive deeper into the way you’ll use them appropriately.

Coordinating conjunctions (koordinierende Konjunktionen)

Coordinating conjunctions join German phrases, phrases, or clauses which are of equal grammatical significance. When utilizing coordinating conjunctions, the phrase order in each clauses stays the identical—topic, verb, and different sentence parts comply with their traditional order.

Listed here are the 5 commonest coordinating conjunctions in German:

You in all probability acknowledge the primary 4 German conjunctions (und, aber, oder, and denn) and their English counterparts, however the final one, sondern, isn’t a conjunction that exists in English. Listed here are examples of how every of those conjunctions can appropriately be utilized in German:

• Er magazine Schokolade, aber er isst sie selten. = He likes chocolate, however he eats it hardly ever.
• Ich esse, denn ich habe Starvation. = I’m consuming, as a result of I’m hungry.
• Möchtest du Tee oder Kaffee? = Would you like tea or espresso?
• Ich esse keine Schokolade, sondern Obst. = I don’t eat chocolate, however quite fruit.
• Ich trinke Kaffee und esse Kuchen. = I drink espresso and eat cake.

Subordinating conjunctions (subordinierende Konjunktionen)

In distinction, subordinating conjunctions hyperlink a dependent (subordinate) clause to an impartial clause. These conjunctions do have an effect on the phrase order within the second clause, shifting the verb to the top. It’s one of many distinctive German grammar guidelines.

Subordinating conjunctions introduce subordinate clauses, which can not stand alone as full sentences. These clauses rely upon the principle clause to make sense. When a subordinating conjunction is used, the verb within the dependent clause all the time goes to the top.

Use this chart of probably the most generally used subordinating conjunctions in German to attach extra sentences and ideas collectively in conversations.

These subordinating conjunctions work equally to English as you’ll be able to see in these examples.

• Ich lerne, damit ich die Prüfung bestehe. = I’m finding out in order that I can go the examination.
• Er glaubt, dass sie die Wahrheit sagt. = He believes that she is telling the reality.
• Obwohl es regnet, gehe ich spazieren. = Though it’s raining, I’m going for a stroll.
• Ich kann nicht kommen, weil ich arbeiten muss.= I can’t come as a result of I’ve to work.
• Wenn es regnet, bleiben wir zu Hause. = If it rains, we are going to keep at residence.

How subordinating conjunctions have an effect on phrase order

In a standard German sentence with a modal verb, you’d put the modal verb earlier than the motion verb. As an example, you can say Ich muss nach Hause gehen (I have to go residence) and see that the verb müssen is written earlier than the verb gehen, much like English. 

Nonetheless, subordinating conjunctions change the phrase order of the second clause by putting the serving to verb on the finish. Make certain to be careful for this in your sentences!

• Ich kann nicht kommen, weil ich arbeiten muss. = I can’t come as a result of I should work. 

Through the use of the subordinating conjunction weil, the conjugated verb muss goes on the finish of the dependent clause. It’s the other of English. To ensure it’s clear, take a look at this instance beneath.

• Ich gehe nach Hause. → Topic + Verb + Object (SVO)
• Ich gehe nach Hause, weil es spät ist.  → SVO + Conjunction + Topic + Object + Verb 

Whenever you use subordinating conjunctions, needless to say this transformation in phrase order applies solely to the second clause within the sentence. The principle clause stays the identical.

Simple sentence examples to be taught to make use of German conjunctions

Let’s check out a number of extra sentences utilizing completely different conjunctions. These examples will enable you to perceive find out how to hyperlink sentences correctly and wherein context they’re finest used.

Right here, aber hyperlinks two concepts: the want to go to the cinema and the dearth of time.

• Ich möchte ins Kino gehen, aber ich habe keine Zeit. = I want to go to the cinema, however I don’t have time.

The conjunction weil introduces the explanation for lacking the bus on this instance.

• Ich habe den Bus verpasst, weil ich zu spät aufgestanden bin. = I missed the bus as a result of I obtained up too late.

On this one, wenn expresses a situation that triggers an motion.

• Wenn du hungrig bist, kannst du etwas essen. = If you’re hungry, (then) you’ll be able to eat one thing.

Right here, the conjunction obwohl introduces a contrasting thought.

• Er hat keine Jacke an, obwohl es draußen kalt ist. = Though it’s chilly exterior, he doesn’t put on a jacket.

Coordinating vs. subordinating conjunctions in German: key variations

Whereas each kinds of conjunctions are used to hyperlink concepts, they behave very in a different way. Right here’s a fast comparability:

All the time take note of the phrase order when utilizing subordinating conjunctions. This is likely one of the key challenges for learners, however when you develop into accustomed to it, utilizing subordinating conjunctions will really feel pure.

Different frequent German conjunctions you’ll want to know

You’ll have to know extra than simply und, dass, obwohl, oder, and aber. German has many extra conjunctions to know, so this chart of German conjunctions will assist increase your fluency past primary German grammar. On the backside, you’ll discover a number of detailed examples so you’ll be able to grasp utilizing these conjunctions in the suitable context and sentence construction.

Als

The conjunction als is used inside a time context or for comparability.

• Ich conflict noch jung, als ich nach Deutschland zog. = I used to be nonetheless younger when I moved to Germany. 
• Mein Mann ist größer als ich. = My husband is taller than I’m.

Außer

You’ll use außer when you’ll want to describe an exception or a restriction.

• Niemand conflict da, außer Paul. = No person was there, besides for Paul. 
• Ich kann leider nicht kommen, außer mein Kurs fällt aus. = I can’t come, except my class is cancelled. 

Bis

When you’ll want to point out that an motion or occasion will proceed as much as a sure time limit or different deadline, use bis.

• Ich arbeite bis 18 Uhr. = I work till 6 p.m.

Indem

If you’ll want to clarify the style wherein an motion will or did occur, use indem.

• Du verbesserst dein Deutsch, indem du jeden Tag übst. = You enhance your German by practising on daily basis.

Nachdem

The conjunction nachdem may be very helpful while you wish to describe an occasion or motion that has occurred after a earlier motion.

• Er darf Videospiele spielen, nachdem er seine Hausaufgaben gemacht hat. = He’s allowed to play videogames after he has completed his homework. 

Sobald

Sobald is used to point that one motion will occur instantly after one other motion is accomplished.

• Sobald ich den Deutschkurs beendet habe, möchte ich nach Deutschland reisen. = As quickly as I’ve accomplished the German classes, I want to journey to Germany.

Während

You’ll use Während to speak about actions or occasions that occur on the identical time. It can be used to point that one thing occurred throughout a sure time period.

• Während ich koche, höre ich gerne Musik. = Whereas I cook dinner, I get pleasure from listening to music. 
• Während des Conferences konnten wir viele Fragen klären. = Throughout the assembly, we might clear up a variety of questions. 

Mixed conjunctions in German (kombinierte Konjunktionen)

Along with coordinating and subordinating conjunctions, mixed conjunctions are generally utilized in German to attach two concepts whereas combining the capabilities of each kinds of conjunctions. These conjunctions work by linking two clauses in a method that influences the phrase order within the second clause whereas nonetheless permitting a transparent logical connection between the 2 elements of the sentence.

A mixed conjunction typically begins with a coordinating conjunction and is adopted by a subordinating conjunction.

• Du kannst entweder ins Kino gehen oder ins Theater. = You may both go to the cinema or to the theater.
• Je mehr du übst, desto besser wirst du. = The extra you follow, the higher you’ll get.
• Er spricht nicht nur Deutsch, sondern auch Englisch. = He speaks not solely German, but in addition English.
• Sie liebt sowohl Pizza als auch Pasta. = She loves each pizza and pasta.
• Er magazine weder Schokolade noch Kuchen. = He likes neither chocolate nor cake.
• Ich esse zwar gerne Salat, aber ich magazine keine Tomaten. = I like consuming salad, however I don’t like tomatoes.

Mastering German conjunctions is straightforward

Now you’ve obtained the instruments to make your German sentences extra dynamic and related utilizing German conjunctions. Whether or not you’re linking phrases, phrases, or complete clauses, mastering conjunctions is essential to sounding extra pure and fluent. By understanding how coordinating, subordinating, and mixed conjunctions work, you’ll be capable to categorical your ideas in additional advanced and significant methods. And should you’re seeking to take your expertise to the subsequent stage, Rosetta Stone’s Dynamic Immersion technique gives a incredible strategy to construct your pronunciation and comprehension. Hold experimenting!