Connectors AND word order go together: In German, the connector you choose decides where the verb goes. The little linking words — «und», «aber», «weil», «deshalb» — glue your ideas together, but each family obeys a different word-order rule. The golden rule behind it all is V2 (Verbzweitstellung): in a normal main clause, the finite verb is always the second element. Get the connector and the verb position right together, and your writing flows as one connected argument.
- der Konnektor / das Bindewort
- the connector / linking word
- die Wortstellung
- word order
- die Verbzweitstellung (V2)
- the verb-second rule — finite verb is the 2nd element in a main clause
- die Inversion
- inversion — when something other than the subject opens the clause, subject and verb swap
- die Konjunktion
- a conjunction (a connecting word)
- der Nebensatz
- the subordinate clause — where the verb goes to the END
- der Hauptsatz
- the main clause — where V2 applies
It lifts your band: Examiners reward both cohesion (linked ideas) and accuracy (correct grammar). Using a range of connectors with the right word order is one of the quickest ways into the higher bands of Criterion A (Language) — in writing and in the oral.
Three families, three word orders: Connectors fall into three groups by what they do to the word order. This is the single most useful thing to learn for German B — pick the right family and the verb position takes care of itself.
| Family | Examples | Word order it triggers |
|---|---|---|
| Koordinierende Konjunktion (Position 0) | und, aber, oder, denn, sondern | NO change — Position 0, then normal subject + verb |
| Subjunktion / Nebensatz | weil, dass, obwohl, wenn, da | finite verb goes to the END of the clause |
| Konjunktionaladverb (Position 1) | deshalb, trotzdem, außerdem, dann, danach | fills Position 1 → INVERSION (verb second, then subject) |
How each one works
- Position 0 — «Ich lerne Deutsch, und ich höre gern Musik.» (I learn German, and I like listening to music.) — nothing moves.
- Verb-final — «Ich bleibe zu Hause, weil es regnet.» (I'm staying home because it's raining.) — „regnet“ jumps to the end.
- Inversion — «Es regnet. Deshalb bleibe ich zu Hause.» (It's raining. That's why I'm staying home.) — „bleibe“ second, „ich“ after it.
- Inversion — «Außerdem koche ich gern.» (Furthermore, I like to cook.) — adverb first, verb second.
«denn» vs «weil» — same meaning, different order!: Both mean because, but they behave differently. «denn» is Position 0 (no change): «Ich bleibe zu Hause, denn es regnet.» «weil» is a Subjunktion (verb to the end): «Ich bleibe zu Hause, weil es regnet.» Notice the verb position — that's the trap to watch.
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Where word order earns marks: Connectors aren't decoration — they do real work and the word order around them is graded. Here are the moments where reaching for the right family lifts your cohesion and your accuracy, each with a German example.
When to use them
- Giving a reason in one sentence — «Ich treibe Sport, weil ich gesund bleiben möchte.» (I do sport because I want to stay healthy.) — verb-final.
- Showing a result across two sentences — «Es ist spät. Deshalb gehe ich ins Bett.» (It's late. That's why I'm going to bed.) — inversion.
- Adding a second idea — «Ich mag Kino. Außerdem lese ich viel.» (I like the cinema. Besides, I read a lot.) — inversion.
- Conceding a point — «Obwohl es teuer ist, kaufe ich es.» (Although it's expensive, I'm buying it.) — verb-final, then V2 in the main clause.
- Ordering steps in the oral — «Zuerst spreche ich über das Problem und dann über die Lösung.» (First I'll talk about the problem and then the solution.) — inversion both times.
Decide the relationship, then the family: Before you write a connector, name the relationship: am I adding, contrasting, giving a cause, or showing a result? Then pick the family — and the word order follows automatically. Aim for two or three different connectors per paragraph, varying the families.
One paragraph, three word orders: Here's a short paragraph that uses a connector from each family — Position 0 («denn»), an adverb that inverts («außerdem», «deshalb», «dann»), and a verb-final clause («weil», «obwohl»). Read it once for meaning, then tap Übersetzung anzeigen or 🔊 to hear it. Notice how the verb moves depending on the connector.
Konnektoren und Wortstellung in Aktion
Ein Absatz, Satz für Satz
- Ich lerne gern Deutsch, denn die Sprache öffnet viele Türen.
- Außerdem kann ich später im Ausland arbeiten oder studieren.
- Das Lernen kostet allerdings viel Zeit, weil es so viele neue Wörter gibt.
- Deshalb übe ich jeden Tag: Zuerst wiederhole ich die Vokabeln und dann schreibe ich einen kurzen Text.
- Obwohl es Mühe macht, lohnt es sich, eine neue Sprache zu lernen.
Steal this skeleton: The shape is reusable: opinion + «denn» (reason, no change) + «Außerdem …» (add, inversion) + «… weil …» (cause, verb-final) + «Deshalb …» (result, inversion) + «Obwohl …» (concede, verb-final). Drop your own topic into it and the word order is already correct.
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The slips to watch for: Most German connector mistakes are word-order mistakes. The classic ones: forgetting that «weil» sends the verb to the end; forgetting that «deshalb»/«trotzdem» trigger inversion; and confusing «denn» (no change) with «weil» (verb-final). Compare the correct version with the typical mistake.
Richtig
- Ich bleibe zu Hause, weil ich müde bin.
- Es ist kalt. Deshalb trage ich einen Mantel.
- Ich lerne viel, denn ich will bestehen.
Typischer Fehler
- Ich bleibe zu Hause, weil ich bin müde.
- Es ist kalt. Deshalb ich trage einen Mantel.
- Ich lerne viel, denn ich will bestehen → weil ich will bestehen.
Check the verb position, not just the word: Before you move on, ask: which family is this connector? Subjunktion («weil», «dass», «obwohl») → verb to the END. Adverb («deshalb», «trotzdem», «außerdem») → inversion (verb second). Position 0 («und», «aber», «denn») → nothing moves. Most marks are lost by mixing these up.