Conjunctions (AQA GCSE German): Revision Notes
Conjunctions in German
What are conjunctions?
Conjunctions are connecting words that help you link ideas and create more sophisticated sentences. They're particularly valuable for writing tasks, as they allow you to extend basic sentences into longer, more complex statements. Understanding how to use conjunctions properly will significantly improve your German writing and speaking skills.
Why Conjunctions Matter
Mastering conjunctions is essential because they transform simple, choppy sentences into flowing, natural German. They're the bridge between beginner and intermediate German proficiency.
There are two main types of conjunctions in German, each with different rules about word order, which makes learning them essential for accurate communication.
Coordinating conjunctions
Coordinating conjunctions are the simpler type of connector. They join two clauses or ideas together without changing the normal word order in either part of the sentence. Think of them as bridges that simply connect two complete thoughts.
Key coordinating conjunctions
| German | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| aber | but | Ich lerne Deutsch, aber es ist schwer. (I'm learning German, but it's difficult.) |
| denn | because | Ich bleibe zu Hause, denn es regnet. (I'm staying at home because it's raining.) |
| oder | or | Möchtest du Tee oder Kaffee? (Would you like tea or coffee?) |
| und | and | Ich spiele Fußball und höre Musik. (I play football and listen to music.) |
The beauty of coordinating conjunctions is their simplicity - you use normal word order before and after them, making them perfect for beginners to start connecting ideas.
Perfect for Beginners
Since coordinating conjunctions don't change word order, they're the ideal starting point for learners. You can immediately start creating more complex sentences without worrying about verb placement.
The special case of "sondern"
"Sondern" is another word meaning "but," however it has very specific usage rules that make it different from "aber." You can only use "sondern" when three conditions are met simultaneously:
Critical Rule for "Sondern"
You can ONLY use "sondern" when ALL three conditions are present:
- Both clauses must have the same subject
- The first clause must be negative
- The two clauses must directly contradict each other
Missing even one condition means you must use "aber" instead!
Worked Example: "Sondern" vs "Aber"
Correct use of "sondern":
- Es ist nicht warm, sondern kalt. (It's not warm, but cold)
- Check: ✓ Same subject (weather), ✓ Negative first clause, ✓ Direct contradiction
Must use "aber":
- Ich bin müde, aber ich arbeite weiter. (I'm tired, but I continue working)
- Why? No direct contradiction between "tired" and "working"
When you want to say "but rather" or "on the contrary," "sondern" is often the better choice than "aber."
Subordinating conjunctions
Subordinating conjunctions are more complex because they change the word order in the clause they introduce. The most important rule to remember is that subordinating conjunctions send the verb to the end of their clause, and you must place a comma between the two clauses.
Word Order Rule - Never Forget!
Subordinating conjunction = Verb goes to the END of that clause + COMMA required
This is the #1 mistake German learners make with subordinating conjunctions.
Common subordinating conjunctions
| German | English | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| als | when (past) | Als ich jung war... (When I was young...) |
| bevor | before | Bevor wir gehen... (Before we go...) |
| da | since/because | Da es regnet... (Since it's raining...) |
| damit | so that | Damit du verstehst... (So that you understand...) |
| nachdem | after | Nachdem wir gegessen haben... (After we have eaten...) |
| obwohl | although | Obwohl es kalt ist... (Although it's cold...) |
| während | while | Während ich arbeite... (While I work...) |
| warum | why | Ich weiß nicht, warum... (I don't know why...) |
| was | what | Was du sagst... (What you say...) |
| weil | because | Weil ich müde bin... (Because I'm tired...) |
| wenn | if/when (present/future) | Wenn du kommst... (If/When you come...) |
| wie | how | Wie du siehst... (How you see...) |
| wo | where | Wo sie wohnt... (Where she lives...) |
Word order with subordinating conjunctions
When you use a subordinating conjunction, the word order changes significantly. The verb moves to the end of the subordinate clause.
Worked Example: Word Order Changes
Normal sentence:
- Er geht wandern (He goes hiking)
- Word order: Subject + Verb + Object
With subordinating conjunction:
- Obwohl es kalt ist, geht er wandern (Although it's cold, he goes hiking)
- Notice: In "obwohl es kalt ist," the verb "ist" moves to the end!
Using conjunctions with different tenses
Perfect tense
When using subordinating conjunctions with the perfect tense, the auxiliary verb (haben/sein) goes to the end of the clause, with the past participle just before it. This creates a "verb sandwich" effect:
Worked Example: Perfect Tense with Subordinating Conjunctions
Step 1: Normal perfect tense
- Ich habe meine Arbeit gemacht (I have done my work)
Step 2: With subordinating conjunction
- Weil ich meine Arbeit gemacht habe, gehe ich aus (Because I've done my work, I'm going out)
- Notice: past participle + auxiliary verb at the end
Future tense and modal verbs
With future tense, the part of "werden" goes last, with the infinitive just before it:
Future Tense Example
Da ich morgen nach London fahren werde, brauche ich meine Fahrkarten (As I'm going to London tomorrow, I need my tickets)
- Pattern: infinitive + "werden" at the end
With modal verbs, the modal verb goes last with the infinitive just before it:
Modal Verb Example
Ich weiß nicht, was ich machen soll (I don't know what I should do)
- Pattern: infinitive + modal verb at the end
Grammar and pronunciation tips
Essential Grammar Points
- Always remember the comma rule: subordinating conjunctions require a comma between clauses
- When the subordinate clause starts the sentence, the main clause begins with the verb (inversion)
- Practice the rhythm: subordinating conjunctions create a different sentence flow than coordinating ones
- "Dass" vs "das": "dass" (that) is a conjunction, "das" (the/that) is an article or pronoun
Translation practice
German to English
- Wir haben auf dem Land gewohnt. Ich war jünger. (als)
- Er wird in der Schweiz leben. Er hat eine neue Arbeit gefunden. (weil)
English to German
- I have cooked dinner. My mother had birthday. (da)
- I don't understand. He said that. (warum)
Answers
- Als ich jünger war, haben wir auf dem Land gewohnt. (When I was younger, we lived in the countryside.)
- Weil er eine neue Arbeit gefunden hat, wird er in der Schweiz leben. (Because he has found a new job, he will live in Switzerland.)
- Da meine Mutter Geburtstag hatte, habe ich das Abendessen gekocht. (Since my mother had her birthday, I cooked dinner.)
- Ich verstehe nicht, warum er das gesagt hat. (I don't understand why he said that.)
Key Points to Remember:
- Coordinating conjunctions (aber, denn, oder, und) keep normal word order and are perfect for beginners
- Subordinating conjunctions send the verb to the end of their clause and require commas
- "Sondern" is only used for direct contradictions with negative first clauses
- Word order changes are crucial - practice makes perfect with subordinating conjunctions
- Different tenses create different verb positions, but the rule remains: subordinating conjunctions send verbs to the end