By the end of this lesson, I can…
- Cause in a subordinate clause
- Consequence with verb-second order
- Concession and unexpected consequence
- Cause with a noun phrase
- Correction and contrast
- Three checks for a connector
Simple explanation
German sentence connectors help you explain reasons, consequences, contrasts, and unexpected situations clearly. At B2 level, you need more than simple linking words: you should use structures like obwohl, dennoch, während, aufgrund, and folglich to create precise and natural sentences in German.
Cause in a subordinate clause
Weil and da can express cause with a final finite verb: Ich bleibe, weil ich krank bin. Da often introduces background or already accessible reasons, but that preference is not an absolute rule about position or formality.
Consequence with verb-second order
Deshalb, daher and deswegen are linking adverbs: Ich bin krank. Deshalb bleibe ich. When they occupy the front field, the finite verb follows immediately. Deshalb ich bleibe is not the standard order; do not treat these adverbs like weil.
Concession and unexpected consequence
Obwohl introduces a subordinate clause; trotzdem/dennoch occur in a main clause: Obwohl ich müde bin, arbeite ich; Ich bin müde. Trotzdem arbeite ich. Combining obwohl and trotzdem is possible when the structure and meaning support it.
Cause with a noun phrase
Wegen and aufgrund can take a noun phrase instead of a clause: wegen des Wetters. Genitive is the main formal pattern; dative occurs especially with wegen in speech. When converting weil, preserve the original cause and participant roles.
Correction and contrast
Sondern normally corrects a rejected alternative: nicht heute, sondern morgen. Aber provides contrast. Während can express simultaneity or contrast, both with standard subordinate verb-final order; its presence does not by itself prove simultaneous events.
Three checks for a connector
First identify cause, consequence, concession or correction. Then identify the connector type: subordinator, main-clause adverb or preposition. Finally check verb position, noun case and punctuation. A synonym swap without structural adjustment can create an invalid sentence.
Usage reference table
| Pattern or function | Target-language model |
|---|---|
| Cause in a subordinate clause | Ich bleibe zu Hause, weil ich krank bin. |
| Consequence with verb-second order | Ich bin krank. Deshalb bleibe ich zu Hause. |
| Concession and unexpected consequence | Ich helfe, obwohl ich müde bin. |
| Cause with a noun phrase | Wegen des schlechten Wetters bleiben wir hier. |
| Correction and contrast | Ich fahre nicht heute, sondern morgen. |
| Meaning in context | Anna bleibt zu Hause, weil sie krank ist. |
Grammar formula
Cause in a subordinate clause
Hauptsatz + weil + Subjekt + ... + VerbIch lerne Deutsch, weil ich in Deutschland arbeiten möchte.
Consequence with verb-second order
Hauptsatz + deshalb + Verb + Subjekt + ...Ich habe viel gelernt, deshalb bestehe ich die Prüfung.
Concession and unexpected consequence
Obwohl + Subjekt + ... + Verb, HauptsatzObwohl es regnet, gehen wir spazieren.
Cause with a noun phrase
Aufgrund + Genitiv + HauptsatzAufgrund des Wetters fällt das Konzert aus.
Correction and contrast
Während + Subjekt + ... + Verb, HauptsatzWährend ich arbeite, studiert meine Schwester.
Core rules
- 1
Cause in a subordinate clause
Weil and da can express cause with a final finite verb: Ich bleibe, weil ich krank bin. Da often introduces background or already accessible reasons, but that preference is not an absolute rule about position or formality.
- 2
Consequence with verb-second order
Deshalb, daher and deswegen are linking adverbs: Ich bin krank. Deshalb bleibe ich. When they occupy the front field, the finite verb follows immediately. Deshalb ich bleibe is not the standard order; do not treat these adverbs like weil.
- 3
Concession and unexpected consequence
Obwohl introduces a subordinate clause; trotzdem/dennoch occur in a main clause: Obwohl ich müde bin, arbeite ich; Ich bin müde. Trotzdem arbeite ich. Combining obwohl and trotzdem is possible when the structure and meaning support it.
- 4
Cause with a noun phrase
Wegen and aufgrund can take a noun phrase instead of a clause: wegen des Wetters. Genitive is the main formal pattern; dative occurs especially with wegen in speech. When converting weil, preserve the original cause and participant roles.
- 5
Correction and contrast
Sondern normally corrects a rejected alternative: nicht heute, sondern morgen. Aber provides contrast. Während can express simultaneity or contrast, both with standard subordinate verb-final order; its presence does not by itself prove simultaneous events.
- 6
Three checks for a connector
First identify cause, consequence, concession or correction. Then identify the connector type: subordinator, main-clause adverb or preposition. Finally check verb position, noun case and punctuation. A synonym swap without structural adjustment can create an invalid sentence.
Useful examples
Ich lerne Deutsch, weil ich in Deutschland studieren möchte.
I learn German because I want to study in Germany.
Aufgrund des starken Regens wurde das Fußballspiel abgesagt.
The football match was cancelled because of the heavy rain.
Ich habe die Prüfung bestanden, deshalb feiere ich heute.
I passed the exam; therefore, I am celebrating today.
Er war sehr müde, trotzdem arbeitete er weiter.
He was very tired; nevertheless, he continued working.
Obwohl ich wenig Zeit habe, helfe ich dir.
Although I have little time, I will help you.
Während meine Schwester gern reist, bleibe ich lieber zu Hause.
While my sister likes travelling, I prefer staying at home.
Die Kosten sind gestiegen, daher müssen wir den Plan ändern.
The costs have increased; therefore, we have to change the plan.
Er hat viel Erfahrung, allerdings macht er noch Fehler.
He has a lot of experience; however, he still makes mistakes.
Sie spart Geld, damit sie nächstes Jahr reisen kann.
She saves money so that she can travel next year.
Obwohl die Aufgabe schwierig war, haben alle Teilnehmer sie gelöst.
Although the task was difficult, all participants solved it.
Common mistakes
- ❌ Ich bleibe zu Hause, weil ich bin krank. ✅ Ich bleibe zu Hause, weil ich krank bin.
- ❌ Ich bin krank. Deshalb ich bleibe zu Hause. ✅ Ich bin krank. Deshalb bleibe ich zu Hause.
- ❌ Ich helfe, obwohl ich müde ist. ✅ Ich helfe, obwohl ich müde bin.
- ❌ Wegen des schlechtes Wetters bleiben wir hier. ✅ Wegen des schlechten Wetters bleiben wir hier.
- ❌ Ich fahre nicht heute, weil morgen. ✅ Ich fahre nicht heute, sondern morgen.
- ❌ Anna bleibt zu Hause, weil sie krank ist. → Consequence ✅ Anna bleibt zu Hause, weil sie krank ist. → Cause
Learning tips
- Sondern normally corrects a rejected alternative: nicht heute, sondern morgen. Aber provides contrast. Während can express simultaneity or contrast, both with standard subordinate verb-final order; its presence does not by itself prove simultaneous events.
- First identify cause, consequence, concession or correction. Then identify the connector type: subordinator, main-clause adverb or preposition. Finally check verb position, noun case and punctuation. A synonym swap without structural adjustment can create an invalid sentence.
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 “Cause in a subordinate clause”.
- Write a new example about a real or imagined situation using “Consequence with verb-second order”.
- Write a new example about a real or imagined situation using “Concession and unexpected consequence”.
- Write a new example about a real or imagined situation using “Cause with a noun phrase”.
- Write a new example about a real or imagined situation using “Correction and contrast”.
- Compare the form and meaning of two of your examples and explain the difference.
Show the model
Ich lerne Deutsch, weil ich in Deutschland studieren möchte. Aufgrund des starken Regens wurde das Fußballspiel abgesagt. Ich habe die Prüfung bestanden, deshalb feiere ich heute. Er war sehr müde, trotzdem arbeitete er weiter. Obwohl ich wenig Zeit habe, helfe ich dir. Während meine Schwester gern reist, bleibe ich lieber zu Hause.
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 “Cause in a subordinate clause”?
Weil and da can express cause with a final finite verb: Ich bleibe, weil ich krank bin. Da often introduces background or already accessible reasons, but that preference is not an absolute rule about position or formality.
What matters for “Consequence with verb-second order”?
Deshalb, daher and deswegen are linking adverbs: Ich bin krank. Deshalb bleibe ich. When they occupy the front field, the finite verb follows immediately. Deshalb ich bleibe is not the standard order; do not treat these adverbs like weil.
What matters for “Concession and unexpected consequence”?
Obwohl introduces a subordinate clause; trotzdem/dennoch occur in a main clause: Obwohl ich müde bin, arbeite ich; Ich bin müde. Trotzdem arbeite ich. Combining obwohl and trotzdem is possible when the structure and meaning support it.
What matters for “Cause with a noun phrase”?
Wegen and aufgrund can take a noun phrase instead of a clause: wegen des Wetters. Genitive is the main formal pattern; dative occurs especially with wegen in speech. When converting weil, preserve the original cause and participant roles.
What matters for “Correction and contrast”?
Sondern normally corrects a rejected alternative: nicht heute, sondern morgen. Aber provides contrast. Während can express simultaneity or contrast, both with standard subordinate verb-final order; its presence does not by itself prove simultaneous events.
What matters for “Three checks for a connector”?
First identify cause, consequence, concession or correction. Then identify the connector type: subordinator, main-clause adverb or preposition. Finally check verb position, noun case and punctuation. A synonym swap without structural adjustment can create an invalid sentence.
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