Connectors (Konnektoren)
German connectors link clauses — but which connector you choose changes the word order, so they fall into three groups. (1) Coordinating conjunctions (und, aber, oder, denn, sondern) join two main clauses and change nothing — the verb stays in position 2. (2) Adverbial connectors (deshalb, trotzdem, dann, also…) are themselves an element in the sentence, so they trigger inversion — connector first, verb second, subject after. (3) Subordinating conjunctions (weil, dass, wenn, obwohl, als…) send the finite verb to the end of their clause.
Group 1: coordinating — no change (verb stays 2nd)
The five coordinating conjunctions und, aber, oder, denn, sondern simply glue two independent main clauses together. They sit in "position zero" and do not count as a sentence element, so the following clause keeps normal subject–verb order. Note especially: denn ("because") does NOT cause inversion — this is the classic trap, because its meaning is the same as weil but its grammar is completely different.
Ich bleibe zu Hause, denn ich bin müde.
I am staying home, because I am tired.
denn → normal order: "ich bin", verb stays 2nd.
Ich wollte kommen, aber ich hatte keine Zeit.
I wanted to come, but I had no time.
aber → no inversion.
Nicht ich, sondern er hat das gesagt.
Not I, but he said that.
sondern corrects a preceding negative.
Group 2: adverbial connectors — inversion (verb 2nd)
Words like deshalb, deswegen, darum, trotzdem, dann, danach, also, außerdem, sonst are adverbs, not conjunctions. When one opens a clause it fills the first position, so the finite verb must come second and the subject follows the verb (inversion). deshalb DOES cause inversion — the mirror image of denn.
Ich bin müde. Deshalb bleibe ich zu Hause.
I am tired. That is why I am staying home.
deshalb first → "bleibe ich" (inversion).
Es hat geregnet. Trotzdem sind wir spazieren gegangen.
It rained. Nevertheless we went for a walk.
trotzdem → inversion.
Zuerst essen wir, dann gehen wir ins Kino.
First we eat, then we go to the cinema.
dann → "gehen wir".
Group 3: subordinating — verb to the end
The subordinating conjunctions weil, dass, wenn, obwohl, als, damit, während, bevor, nachdem, ob, da introduce a subordinate clause and push the finite verb to the very end. A comma always precedes them. Note the pair weil vs denn: same meaning ("because"), opposite grammar — weil sends the verb to the end, denn leaves it in place.
Ich bleibe zu Hause, weil ich müde bin.
I am staying home because I am tired.
weil → "bin" at the end.
Obwohl es regnet, gehen wir spazieren.
Although it is raining, we are going for a walk.
Sub-clause first → main clause inverts: "gehen wir".
Ich weiß nicht, ob er kommt.
I do not know whether he is coming.
ob → "kommt" at the end.
Examples
Es ist spät, aber ich bin noch wach.
It is late, but I am still awake.
aber: no change.
Es ist spät. Trotzdem bin ich noch wach.
It is late. Nevertheless I am still awake.
trotzdem: inversion.
Ich bin noch wach, obwohl es spät ist.
I am still awake although it is late.
obwohl: verb to the end.
| Group | Examples | Effect on word order |
|---|---|---|
| Coordinating | und, aber, oder, denn, sondern | No change — verb stays 2nd |
| Adverbial connector | deshalb, trotzdem, dann, also, außerdem | Inversion — verb 2nd, subject after |
| Subordinating | weil, dass, wenn, obwohl, als | Verb to the end (verb-final) |
| Connector | Group | Word order | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| denn | Coordinating | No change | …, denn ich bin müde. |
| deshalb | Adverbial | Inversion | Deshalb bin ich müde. |
| weil | Subordinating | Verb to end | …, weil ich müde bin. |
Common mistakes
- Treating denn like weil: "…, denn ich müde bin" ✗ → "…, denn ich bin müde" ✓ (denn = no change).
- Forgetting inversion after deshalb/trotzdem/dann: "Deshalb ich bleibe…" ✗ → "Deshalb bleibe ich…" ✓.
- Leaving the verb in place after weil: "…, weil ich bin müde" ✗ → "…, weil ich müde bin" ✓.
- Confusing "denn" (because) with "dann" (then): they are different words with different jobs.
- Mixing up "als" (a single past event: when) with "wenn" (repeated or future condition: when/if).
Lookup tips
- Memorize the five coordinating conjunctions (und, aber, oder, denn, sondern) — everything with a comma and a **different** word triggers either inversion or verb-final.
- If the connector is an adverb you could move elsewhere in the sentence (deshalb, dann, trotzdem), it takes position 1 and forces inversion.
- The subordinating list (weil, dass, wenn, obwohl, als, ob, damit, bevor, nachdem, während) all send the verb to the end.
Frequently asked questions
weil or denn — which should I use?
Both mean "because" and are interchangeable in meaning. Grammar differs: weil = subordinate clause (verb to the end), denn = coordinating (verb stays 2nd). In spoken German weil is far more common; denn feels a touch more written/formal.
Is "deshalb" a conjunction?
No — it is an adverb ("that is why"). That is exactly why it forces inversion: it occupies the first position, so the verb must be second.
What is the difference between "als" and "wenn"?
For "when" in the past: "als" for a single, completed event (Als ich jung war…), "wenn" for repeated events or "whenever" (Immer wenn es regnet…). For present/future conditions ("if/when"), use wenn.