■■ German A2 Notes
Konjunktionen — Conjunctions
1. What are Conjunctions?
Conjunctions are joining words that connect two clauses or sentences. In German there are two types — and
each type has a DIFFERENT effect on word order.
2. Coordinating Conjunctions (Nebenordnende Konjunktionen)
RULE: Word order stays NORMAL. Subject + Verb order does NOT change.
Conjunction Meaning Example (German) Example (English)
und and Ich lerne Deutsch und ich I learn German and I listen
höre Musik. to music.
aber but Er ist müde, aber er He is tired but he works.
arbeitet.
oder or Möchtest du Tee oder Would you like tea or
Kaffee? coffee?
denn because Ich lerne Deutsch, denn ich I learn German because I
liebe die Sprache. love the language.
sondern but rather Er trinkt keinen Tee, He doesn't drink tea, but
sondern Kaffee. rather coffee.
3. Subordinating Conjunctions (Unterordnende Konjunktionen)
RULE: The verb in the subordinate clause goes to the VERY END of the clause.
Conjunction Meaning Example (German) Example (English)
weil because Ich lerne Deutsch, weil es I learn German because it
interessant ist. is interesting.
dass that Ich denke, dass er morgen I think that he is coming
kommt. tomorrow.
wenn when / if Ich esse Pizza, wenn ich I eat pizza when I am
Hunger habe. hungry.
obwohl although Obwohl es kalt ist, gehe ich Although it is cold, I go
raus. outside.
4. Quick Comparison — Normal vs Verb-Last
This is the most important thing to remember:
■ Coordinating (normal order) ■ Subordinating (verb last)
Er ist müde, aber er arbeitet. Er ist müde, weil er arbeitet.
aber → Subject (er) + Verb (arbeitet) — normal! weil → Subject (er) + ... + Verb at END
5. ■ Memory Tricks
Trick 1: "ADUSO" — Aber, Denn, Und, Sondern, Oder = all coordinating (normal word order)
Trick 2: Subordinating conjunctions PUSH the verb to the end — think of them as "verb pushers"!
Trick 3: weil / wenn / dass / obwohl = verb goes LAST. Say it out loud every time you use them!
6. ✏■ Practice Sentences
Complete these sentences on your own:
1
. Ich gehe ins Café, aber ___ (normal word order)
2
. Er lernt Deutsch, weil ___ (verb at end)
3
. Ich denke, dass ___ (verb at end)
4
. Wir essen Pizza, wenn ___ (verb at end)
5
. Sie trinkt Tee, aber ___ (normal word order)
German A2 Notes — Ojas • Viel Erfolg! ■■