Master German Connectors (Konnektoren)

When you first start learning German, you usually speak in short, simple sentences. "I am tired." "I drink coffee." "I go to work."

But to sound natural and express complex thoughts, you need to glue these short sentences together. You want to say: "I am tired, but I drink coffee, because I have to go to work."

The "glue" you use to connect these sentences is called a Konnektor (Connector or Conjunction).

In English, using connectors is easy—you just drop them in and keep talking. In German, connectors are a bit more demanding. Depending on which connector you use, the entire word order of your sentence might change!

To master German connectors, we divide them into three distinct categories, based on how they affect the verb. Let's break them down.

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Category 1: The "Zero Position" Connectors (ADUSO)

This is the easiest group of connectors. Why? Because they do absolutely nothing to the word order!

When you use one of these connectors, you simply place it between two main clauses (Hauptsätze), and both sentences keep their normal structure (Subject - Verb - Object). We say these connectors take up "Position 0" because they don't count towards the word order of the second sentence.

To remember them, use the acronym ADUSO:

• Aber (but)
• Denn (because)
• Und (and)
• Sondern (rather / but instead)
• Oder (or)

Examples in Action:

Notice how the verb stays firmly in the 2nd position in both halves of the sentence.

• Und (and):

  • Ich lerne Deutsch. + Mein Bruder lernt Spanisch.
  • -> Ich lerne Deutsch, und mein Bruder lernt Spanisch.

• Aber (but):

  • Das Auto ist schön. + Es ist zu teuer.
  • -> Das Auto ist schön, aber es ist zu teuer.

• Denn (because):

  • Ich bleibe zu Hause. + Ich bin krank.
  • -> Ich bleibe zu Hause, denn ich bin krank. (Note: "denn" is a very elegant way to say "because" without having to change the word order!)

• Sondern (rather / but instead): (Used only after a negative statement to correct it)

  • Ich trinke keinen Kaffee, sondern ich trinke Tee.

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Category 2: The "Verb-Kickers" (Subordinating Conjunctions)

Now we enter the famous (and sometimes feared) territory of the German Nebensatz (Subordinate Clause).

When you use a connector from this category, it grabs the conjugated verb of the second sentence and physically kicks it all the way to the very end of the sentence.

Here are the most common "Verb-Kickers":

• weil (because)
• dass (that)
• obwohl (although)
• wenn (if / when)
• als (when - used only for single events in the past)
• damit (so that)
• ob (whether / if)

Examples in Action:

Watch carefully how the verb is moved from its normal Position 2 to the absolute end.

• Weil (because):

  • Normal: Ich habe keine Zeit. (verb = habe)
  • With connector: Ich gehe nicht ins Kino, weil ich keine Zeit habe.

• Dass (that):

  • Normal: Er kommt heute. (verb = kommt)
  • With connector: Ich weiß, dass er heute kommt.

• Obwohl (although):

  • Normal: Es regnet stark. (verb = regnet)
  • With connector: Wir gehen spazieren, obwohl es stark regnet.

• Wenn (if / when):

  • Normal: Das Wetter ist gut. (verb = ist)
  • With connector: Wir grillen heute, wenn das Wetter gut ist.

Advanced Pro-Tip: Starting with the Nebensatz

What happens if you want to put the "Verb-Kicker" sentence first? Example: Because I am sick, I am staying home.

If you start with the subordinate clause, the verb is still kicked to the end of that clause. But here is the trick: The main clause that follows MUST start with its verb! (Verb comma Verb)

• -> Weil ich krank bin, bleibe ich zu Hause.

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Category 3: The "Position 1" Connectors (Adverbial)

Our final group of connectors act like normal adverbs. When you start a new clause with one of these connectors, the connector takes up Position 1.

And what is the golden rule of German main clauses? The verb must always be in Position 2. Therefore, if the connector is in Position 1, the verb must come immediately after the connector!

Common Position 1 connectors:

• deshalb / darum / deswegen (therefore / that's why)
• trotzdem (nevertheless / still)
• außerdem (besides / furthermore)
• danach (afterwards / then)

Examples in Action:

Notice how the verb directly hugs the connector.

• Deshalb (therefore):

  • Ich bin krank. Deshalb bleibe ich zu Hause.
  • (Not: Deshalb ich bleibe...)

• Trotzdem (nevertheless):

  • Es regnet stark. Trotzdem gehen wir spazieren.
  • (Not: Trotzdem wir gehen...)

• Danach (afterwards):

  • Zuerst essen wir. Danach gucken wir einen Film.

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4. The Comma Rules for Connectors

In English, commas before connectors are often optional or based on feeling. In German, the comma rules are very strict!

Rule 1: You must ALWAYS place a comma before Category 2 and Category 3 connectors.

• Ich denke*,** dass er kommt.*
• Er ist müde*,** deshalb schläft er.*

Rule 2: For the ADUSO group (Category 1), you place a comma before aber, denn, sondern.

• Ich bin müde*,** aber ich lerne.*

Rule 3: You generally do NOT use a comma before und or oder.

• Ich esse eine Pizza und ich trinke eine Cola.

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Summary Checklist

Before you head off to practice building complex sentences, keep these three categories in mind:

1. Category 1 (ADUSO): Aber, denn, und, sondern, oder. Position 0. No change to word order.
2. Category 2 (Verb-Kickers): Weil, dass, obwohl, wenn... The conjugated verb gets kicked to the very end of the sentence. (Remember: Verb comma Verb if it starts the sentence!)
3. Category 3 (Position 1): Deshalb, trotzdem, danach... These take up Position 1, so the verb must come immediately after them.
4. Commas: Always use a comma to separate clauses, except before und and oder.

Mastering these three groups will instantly elevate your German from beginner to intermediate. Take your time, practice one category at a time, and soon you'll be connecting sentences like a native!