By the end of this lesson, I can…
- An acknowledged contrary circumstance
- Even if the condition holds
- Verb-final order and clause order
- Concession with trotz
- Commas and trotzdem
- Preserving fact and possibility
Simple explanation
German concessive clauses are used to show that one fact, condition, or situation does not prevent another result from happening. With obwohl, obgleich, and selbst wenn, learners can express real contrasts and hypothetical conditions clearly at B2 level.
An acknowledged contrary circumstance
Obwohl and obgleich normally acknowledge a real or accepted contrary circumstance: Obwohl es regnet, gehen wir raus. The relationship defeats an expectation, rather than merely placing two unrelated propositions together. Establish why the first point could normally count against the second.
Even if the condition holds
Selbst wenn maintains the consequence even if a condition holds: Selbst wenn es regnet, gehen wir raus. It need not assert rain. Auch wenn can be concessive or conditional depending on context; check what the speaker treats as established.
Verb-final order and clause order
Obwohl, obgleich and selbst wenn take a final finite verb. A fronted subordinate clause is followed by the result's finite verb: Obwohl er krank ist, arbeitet er. Reordering must preserve reference, time and the concessive relationship.
Concession with trotz
Trotz normally introduces a genitive noun phrase: trotz des Regens. Converting obwohl es regnet requires nominalization, not attaching trotz to the same finite clause. Case varies regionally and informally; use the stated formal pattern in formal writing.
Commas and trotzdem
Separate the concessive subordinate clause with a comma. Trotzdem is a main-clause adverb with verb-second order: Es regnet. Trotzdem gehen wir raus. Its presence alongside obwohl is not inherently wrong; assess the complete structure and reference.
Preserving fact and possibility
Obwohl er krank ist normally accepts illness; Selbst wenn er krank ist makes the consequence robust to that condition. Replacing one with the other can change factual commitment. Grammar and wording must preserve the original claim, not merely a shared translation.
Usage reference table
| Pattern or function | Target-language model |
|---|---|
| An acknowledged contrary circumstance | Obwohl Anna krank ist, arbeitet sie. |
| Even if the condition holds | Ich komme, selbst wenn ich wenig Zeit habe. |
| Verb-final order and clause order | Obwohl es regnet, gehe ich spazieren. |
| Concession with trotz | Trotz des starken Regens findet das Spiel statt. |
| Commas and trotzdem | Anna ist müde. Trotzdem hilft Anna uns. |
| Meaning in context | Obwohl Ben krank ist, nimmt er an der Besprechung teil. |
Grammar formula
An acknowledged contrary circumstance
Obwohl/Obgleich + Subjekt + Ergänzungen + Verb, HauptsatzObwohl er krank ist, geht er zur Arbeit.
Even if the condition holds
Selbst wenn + Subjekt + Ergänzungen + Verb, HauptsatzSelbst wenn ich keine Zeit habe, helfe ich dir.
Verb-final order and clause order
Nebensatz, Verb + Subjekt + weitere InformationenObwohl es schwierig ist, machen wir weiter.
Core rules
- 1
An acknowledged contrary circumstance
Obwohl and obgleich normally acknowledge a real or accepted contrary circumstance: Obwohl es regnet, gehen wir raus. The relationship defeats an expectation, rather than merely placing two unrelated propositions together. Establish why the first point could normally count against the second.
- 2
Even if the condition holds
Selbst wenn maintains the consequence even if a condition holds: Selbst wenn es regnet, gehen wir raus. It need not assert rain. Auch wenn can be concessive or conditional depending on context; check what the speaker treats as established.
- 3
Verb-final order and clause order
Obwohl, obgleich and selbst wenn take a final finite verb. A fronted subordinate clause is followed by the result's finite verb: Obwohl er krank ist, arbeitet er. Reordering must preserve reference, time and the concessive relationship.
- 4
Concession with trotz
Trotz normally introduces a genitive noun phrase: trotz des Regens. Converting obwohl es regnet requires nominalization, not attaching trotz to the same finite clause. Case varies regionally and informally; use the stated formal pattern in formal writing.
- 5
Commas and trotzdem
Separate the concessive subordinate clause with a comma. Trotzdem is a main-clause adverb with verb-second order: Es regnet. Trotzdem gehen wir raus. Its presence alongside obwohl is not inherently wrong; assess the complete structure and reference.
- 6
Preserving fact and possibility
Obwohl er krank ist normally accepts illness; Selbst wenn er krank ist makes the consequence robust to that condition. Replacing one with the other can change factual commitment. Grammar and wording must preserve the original claim, not merely a shared translation.
Useful examples
Obwohl ich müde bin, lerne ich noch eine Stunde.
Although I am tired, I study for another hour.
Obwohl das Wetter schlecht ist, fahren wir in den Urlaub.
Although the weather is bad, we are going on vacation.
Obgleich die Aufgabe schwierig war, hat sie sie erfolgreich gelöst.
Although the task was difficult, she solved it successfully.
Obwohl er wenig Erfahrung hat, arbeitet er sehr professionell.
Although he has little experience, he works very professionally.
Selbst wenn ich keine Unterstützung bekomme, werde ich weitermachen.
Even if I do not get support, I will continue.
Selbst wenn es morgen regnen würde, würden wir die Reise machen.
Even if it rained tomorrow, we would take the trip.
Obwohl sie viel arbeitet, findet sie Zeit für ihre Familie.
Although she works a lot, she finds time for her family.
Obgleich viele Menschen anderer Meinung waren, wurde die Entscheidung getroffen.
Although many people had a different opinion, the decision was made.
Selbst wenn du anderer Meinung bist, respektiere ich deine Entscheidung.
Even if you have a different opinion, I respect your decision.
Obwohl der Preis hoch ist, kaufen viele Kunden das Produkt.
Although the price is high, many customers buy the product.
Common mistakes
- ❌ Obwohl Anna krank bin, arbeitet sie. ✅ Obwohl Anna krank ist, arbeitet sie.
- ❌ Ich komme, selbst ob ich wenig Zeit habe. ✅ Ich komme, selbst wenn ich wenig Zeit habe.
- ❌ Obwohl es regnet, ich gehe spazieren. ✅ Obwohl es regnet, gehe ich spazieren.
- ❌ Trotz der starken Regens findet das Spiel statt. ✅ Trotz des starken Regens findet das Spiel statt.
- ❌ Anna ist müde. Trotzdem Anna hilft uns. ✅ Anna ist müde. Trotzdem hilft Anna uns.
- ❌ Obwohl Ben krank ist, nimmt er an der Besprechung teil. → Maintaining the result even if the condition holds ✅ Obwohl Ben krank ist, nimmt er an der Besprechung teil. → Acknowledging a contrary fact in an obwohl-clause
Learning tips
- Separate the concessive subordinate clause with a comma. Trotzdem is a main-clause adverb with verb-second order: Es regnet. Trotzdem gehen wir raus. Its presence alongside obwohl is not inherently wrong; assess the complete structure and reference.
- Obwohl er krank ist normally accepts illness; Selbst wenn er krank ist makes the consequence robust to that condition. Replacing one with the other can change factual commitment. Grammar and wording must preserve the original claim, not merely a shared translation.
Use it in your own text
Write six new sentences about your life, experiences or views. Use the rules and table and check why each form fits. The models are illustrations; you need not force every form into one text. This is self-assessment; the test score is recorded separately.
- Write a new example about a real or imagined situation using “An acknowledged contrary circumstance”.
- Write a new example about a real or imagined situation using “Even if the condition holds”.
- Write a new example about a real or imagined situation using “Verb-final order and clause order”.
- Write a new example about a real or imagined situation using “Concession with trotz”.
- Write a new example about a real or imagined situation using “Commas and trotzdem”.
- Compare the form and meaning of two of your examples and explain the difference.
Show the model
Obwohl ich müde bin, lerne ich noch eine Stunde. Obwohl das Wetter schlecht ist, fahren wir in den Urlaub. Obgleich die Aufgabe schwierig war, hat sie sie erfolgreich gelöst. Obwohl er wenig Erfahrung hat, arbeitet er sehr professionell. Selbst wenn ich keine Unterstützung bekomme, werde ich weitermachen. Selbst wenn es morgen regnen würde, würden wir die Reise machen.
Check your own work
- My intended meaning fits the chosen construction.
- I checked subject, verb form, case/preposition and word order.
- I adapted the models to my own context and considered the exceptions.
Put it into practice
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Related grammar
Related dictionary words
Frequently asked questions
What matters for “An acknowledged contrary circumstance”?
Obwohl and obgleich normally acknowledge a real or accepted contrary circumstance: Obwohl es regnet, gehen wir raus. The relationship defeats an expectation, rather than merely placing two unrelated propositions together. Establish why the first point could normally count against the second.
What matters for “Even if the condition holds”?
Selbst wenn maintains the consequence even if a condition holds: Selbst wenn es regnet, gehen wir raus. It need not assert rain. Auch wenn can be concessive or conditional depending on context; check what the speaker treats as established.
What matters for “Verb-final order and clause order”?
Obwohl, obgleich and selbst wenn take a final finite verb. A fronted subordinate clause is followed by the result's finite verb: Obwohl er krank ist, arbeitet er. Reordering must preserve reference, time and the concessive relationship.
What matters for “Concession with trotz”?
Trotz normally introduces a genitive noun phrase: trotz des Regens. Converting obwohl es regnet requires nominalization, not attaching trotz to the same finite clause. Case varies regionally and informally; use the stated formal pattern in formal writing.
What matters for “Commas and trotzdem”?
Separate the concessive subordinate clause with a comma. Trotzdem is a main-clause adverb with verb-second order: Es regnet. Trotzdem gehen wir raus. Its presence alongside obwohl is not inherently wrong; assess the complete structure and reference.
What matters for “Preserving fact and possibility”?
Obwohl er krank ist normally accepts illness; Selbst wenn er krank ist makes the consequence robust to that condition. Replacing one with the other can change factual commitment. Grammar and wording must preserve the original claim, not merely a shared translation.
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