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Chapter 3 of 7

Connectors and Logical Adverbs

A core structural distinction in German is between adverbs that link main clauses (with the verb in position 2) and subordinating conjunctions that send the verb to the end. The deck illustrates this contrast through trotzdem versus obwohl: trotzdem is an adverbial main-clause connector ("Es regnete. Trotzdem ging er spazieren."), while obwohl is a subordinating conjunction ("Obwohl es regnete, ging er spazieren.") Both express contrast, but they govern different clause structures.

Several adverbs express causation or consequence. Deshalb, deswegen, and daher all mean "therefore" and sit in front of a main clause with the verb in position 2: "Er war müde, deshalb/deswegen/daher ging er früh ins Bett." Infolgedessen ("as a result / consequently") is a more formal, written alternative typical of journalism and academic prose. To provide the reason or explanation for a preceding statement, speakers use "nämlich," which is placed after the verb rather than at the front: "Ich kann nicht kommen. Ich bin nämlich krank." Contrast is conveyed by allerdings or jedoch (both = however), with allerdings often adding a surprising concession and jedoch sounding more literary and formal; dennoch means "nevertheless / still" as a formal synonym of trotzdem; stattdessen means "instead (of that)."

Temporal adverbs help sequence events. Inzwischen means "in the meantime / meanwhile," while schließlich means "finally / after all" and often signals the conclusion of a long wait or process. Mastering this set of connectors is essential for producing coherent argument and narrative at the B2 level.

All chapters
  1. 1Konjunktiv — Hypothetical and Reported Speech
  2. 2Complex Verb Structures: Passive, Modals, and Futur II
  3. 3Connectors and Logical Adverbs
  4. 4Idiomatic Expressions
  5. 5Wishes, Particles, and Participial Constructions
  6. 6Verbal Prepositions, Nominalization, and Impersonal "Es"
  7. 7Thematic Vocabulary: Politics, Environment, Media, and History

Drill it

Reading is not remembering. These come from the German B2 deck:

Q

What is the Konjunktiv II form of "gehen" (ich)?

The Konjunktiv II of "gehen" (ich) is ich ginge. Wenn ich an deiner Stelle wäre, ginge ich sofort zum Arzt.

Q

What is the Konjunktiv II form of "kommen" (er/sie/es)?

The Konjunktiv II of "kommen" is er/sie/es käme. Es wäre schön, wenn er morgen käme.

Q

What is the Konjunktiv II form of "wissen" (ich)?

The Konjunktiv II of "wissen" (ich) is ich wüsste. Wenn ich die Antwort wüsste, würde ich sie dir sagen.

Q

What is the Konjunktiv II form of "lassen" (er/sie/es)?

The Konjunktiv II of "lassen" is er/sie/es ließe. Wenn er mich in Ruhe ließe, könnte ich arbeiten.