Building texts

the verb-second rule — in a main clause the finite verb is the 2nd element

Position-0 conjunctions — they do NOT change the word order

because (Subjunktion) — sends the finite verb to the END of the clause

although (Subjunktion) — verb goes to the end of the clause

that (Subjunktion) — verb goes to the end of the clause

that's why / therefore (adverb in Position 1) — triggers inversion (verb second)

nevertheless (adverb) — triggers inversion (verb second)

furthermore / besides (adverb) — triggers inversion (verb second)

inversion — when Position 1 is not the subject, subject and verb swap

the subordinate clause — where the finite verb goes to the end

1) Position 0 (und/aber/denn — no change); 2) Subjunktion (weil/obwohl/dass — verb to the end); 3) Konjunktionaladverb (deshalb/trotzdem — inversion).

Both mean *because*. «denn» is Position 0 (no change: „denn es regnet“); «weil» is a Subjunktion (verb to the end: „weil es regnet“).

They fill Position 1, so by V2 the finite verb comes SECOND and the subject follows it (inversion): „Deshalb gehe ich…“.

Each connector family forces a different verb position; choosing the family AND placing the verb correctly is what scores cohesion + accuracy in Criterion A.

register (the level of formality: formal vs informal)

informal you — friends, peers, family, young people

formal you — strangers, elders, authority, business; always capitalised

informal you (plural) — speaking to several friends/peers

to address someone with «du» (informally) / with «Sie» (formally)

uses the «sie/they» plural form (= infinitive), e.g. Sie haben, Sie können

dein / deine (your), e.g. dein Haus, deine Bücher

Ihr / Ihre (your), capitalised, e.g. Ihr Haus, Ihre Bücher

dich (Akk.) / dir (Dat.), e.g. ich schicke dir die Unterlagen

Sie (Akk.) / Ihnen (Dat.), e.g. ich schicke Ihnen die Unterlagen

From the audience and text type: friends/peers/family/young people and informal messages → du; strangers/elders/authority/business and formal letters → Sie.

The «sie/they» plural form, which is the infinitive: Sie haben, Sie können, Sie wohnen — NOT the singular «hat/kann».

Mixing du and Sie in one text is a marked error; once you choose a register, every verb, possessive and pronoun must match it.

All three together: the verb (kannst → können), the possessive (deine → Ihre) and the object pronoun (dir → Ihnen) — and capitalise Sie/Ihr/Ihnen.

In my opinion… (+ V2: verb second): „Meiner Meinung nach ist das wichtig.“

I believe that… (+ verb at the END): „Ich glaube, dass du recht hast.“

I think/find that… (+ verb-final): „Ich finde, dass es nützlich ist.“

From my point of view… (+ V2): „Aus meiner Sicht funktioniert es.“

I'm of the opinion that… (+ verb-final)

I agree with you — separable verb zustimmen + Dativ; never „Ich stimme dich zu“

I (don't) agree — fixed phrase; never the calque „Ich bin einig“

on the one hand… on the other hand…

because (+ verb at the END): „…, weil es gut ist.“

because (+ V2, like a main clause): „…, denn es ist gut.“

State the view (Meiner Meinung nach / Ich glaube, dass), justify it with „weil / denn“, and add an example (zum Beispiel).

Verb-final: the conjugated verb jumps to the END of the clause — „Ich glaube, dass das Buch gut ist.“

After „weil“ the conjugated verb must go to the end: „…, weil es gut ist.“

It's a calque of „I am agree“; the correct phrases are „Ich bin einverstanden“ or „Ich stimme dir zu“ (+ Dativ).