Understanding Conjunctions and Word Order in German

Basics of German Conjunctions

Conjunctions are words that connect clauses or sentences. In German, conjunctions can drastically change the word order of a sentence. Understanding these connectors can help structure your thoughts clearly when speaking or writing in German.

Coordinating Conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions (e.g., und, aber, oder), link words, phrases, or clauses of equal rank. When used, the word order of the following clause remains unchanged. They do not affect the position of the subject and verb.

Subordinating Conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions (e.g., weil, dass, ob) connect a main clause with a dependent or subordinate clause. This affects the word order by sending the verb to the end of the subordinate clause.

Word Order in German Sentences

In German, the typical sentence structure is Subject-Verb-Object (SVO), but conjunctions can modify this order. Understanding these changes is essential for fluency.

Position of the Verb

With subordinating conjunctions, the verb often moves to the end of the clause. This rule emphasizes the dependent nature of the clause on the main sentence.

Common Pitfalls

Many learners struggle with remembering the change in word order with subordinating conjunctions. It's a frequent source of mistakes, especially for English speakers who are not used to such structures.

Practical Examples

Let's examine a sentence to illustrate the impact of conjunctions on word order:
English: I know that you are coming.
German: Ich weiß, dass du kommst.