Table of Contents
ANSWER
German conjunctions are the key to sounding natural, but they are also the biggest source of word-order mistakes. The single most important thing to remember is this: some conjunctions push the verb to the end, and some do not. If you learn which group each conjunction belongs to, your sentences will be correct almost every time.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
1: How do you say "Good Morning" in German?
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Coordinating conjunctions (denn, und, aber, oder, sondern) do not change word order. The verb stays in position two.
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Subordinating conjunctions (weil, dass, obwohl, als, wenn) send the conjugated verb to the very end of the clause .
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weil vs denn: Both mean “because.” Weil sends the verb to the end; denn keeps normal order. Weil is more common in speech; denn more in writing.
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als vs wenn: Use als for a single event in the past. Use wenn for repeated past events, present/future, and conditions.
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wann is for questions about time (direct or indirect). It is not a subordinating conjunction in the same way as wenn.
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Test Your German A1 for FreeWHAT ARE GERMAN CONJUNCTIONS (KONJUNKTIONEN)?
Conjunctions are words that connect clauses or parts of sentences. German divides them into two main groups based on how they affect word order.
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Coordinating vs subordinating conjunctions
| Type | Conjunctions | Effect on Word Order |
|---|---|---|
| Coordinating | denn, und, aber, oder, sondern | Verb stays in position 2 |
| Subordinating | weil, dass, obwohl, als, wenn | Verb goes to the end |
Why they matter for word order and exams
Exams at A2, B1, and above test word order after conjunctions constantly. A sentence with the wrong verb position is marked wrong, even if the meaning is clear. Mastering the two groups solves most of these errors.
THE WORD ORDER RULE: VERB POSITION AFTER EACH CONJUNCTION
Coordinating (denn, und, aber, oder, sondern): verb stays in position 2
The conjunction occupies position zero. The subject and verb follow in normal order.
Ich bleibe zu Hause, denn ich bin müde. (I am staying home because I am tired.)
After denn, the verb bin stays in position two .
Subordinating (weil, dass, obwohl, als, wenn): verb goes to the end
The conjunction starts the clause. The subject follows, and the conjugated verb goes to the very end.
Ich bleibe zu Hause, weil ich müde bin. (I am staying home because I am tired.)
After weil, the verb bin moves to the end .
If the subordinate clause comes first, the main clause starts with its verb. This creates “verb, comma, verb” in the middle.
Weil ich müde bin, bleibe ich zu Hause.
WEIL (BECAUSE): HOW TO USE IT
Formula and example
Main clause + , + weil + subject + … + conjugated verb.
Ich lerne Deutsch, weil ich in Berlin arbeite. (I am learning German because I work in Berlin.)
With modal verbs and the Perfekt
When there are two verb forms, the conjugated verb goes last. The infinitive or participle comes just before it.
Modal: Ich lerne Deutsch, weil ich in Berlin arbeiten muss. (because I have to work)
Perfekt: Ich bleibe zu Hause, weil ich krank gewesen bin. (because I was sick)
The conjugated verb (muss, bin) is at the very end. The other verb form (arbeiten, gewesen) sits just before it .
Spoken German exception (weil + verb 2)
In casual speech, some Germans use weil with normal word order (verb in position two). This is grammatically non-standard but common. For exams, always use the standard verb-final rule.
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Test Your German A1 for FreeDENN (BECAUSE): HOW IT DIFFERS FROM WEIL
Formula and example
Main clause + , + denn + subject + verb + …
Ich bleibe zu Hause, denn ich bin müde. (I am staying home because I am tired.)
Denn is a coordinating conjunction. It does not change word order .
weil vs denn: side-by-side
| Feature | weil | denn |
|---|---|---|
| Word order | Verb to the end | Verb in position 2 |
| Register | More common in speech | More common in writing |
| Example | …, weil ich müde bin. | …, denn ich bin müde. |
Both mean “because.” The meaning is identical; the grammar differs .
DASS (THAT): CONNECTING STATEMENTS AND OPINIONS
Common verbs and phrases that trigger dass
Use dass after verbs of thinking, saying, and feeling, and after impersonal expressions:
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denken (to think): Ich denke, dass er recht hat.
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glauben (to believe): Ich glaube, dass sie kommt.
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wissen (to know): Ich weiß, dass du müde bist.
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sagen (to say): Er sagt, dass er keine Zeit hat.
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es ist wichtig (it is important): Es ist wichtig, dass du pünktlich bist.
In every case, the conjugated verb goes to the end .
dass vs das
This is a common spelling mistake. Dass is a conjunction (“that”). Das is a definite article (“the”) or a relative pronoun (“which/that”). If you can replace it with “this” or “the,” use das. If you are connecting a clause, use dass.
OBWOHL (ALTHOUGH): SHOWING CONTRAST
Formula and example
Main clause + , + obwohl + subject + … + conjugated verb.
Sie arbeitet, obwohl sie krank ist. (She is working although she is ill.)
obwohl vs trotzdem
| Word | Type | Word Order | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| obwohl | Subordinating conjunction | Verb to the end | although |
| trotzdem | Adverb | Verb in position 2 | nevertheless |
Obwohl introduces a subordinate clause: Obwohl es regnet, gehe ich spazieren.
Trotzdem starts a main clause: Es regnet. Trotzdem gehe ich spazieren .
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ALS VS WENN VS WANN: WHICH ONE DO YOU NEED?
This is one of the most confusing areas for learners. The decision depends on whether you mean a single past event, a repeated or present/future event, or a question.
| Word | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| als | Single event in the past | Als ich das hörte, war ich glücklich. (When I heard that, I was happy.) |
| wenn | Repeated past events, present, future, conditions | Wenn die Sonne scheint, gehen wir raus. (When/if the sun shines, we go out.) |
| wann | Direct or indirect questions about time | Wann kommst du? (When are you coming?) |
als: single event in the past
Use als when referring to one specific moment or period in the past.
Als ich ein Kind war, spielte ich Fußball. (When I was a child, I played football.)
wenn: repeated past events, present and future, conditions
Use wenn for:
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Repeated past events (“whenever”): Wenn ich früher nach Hause kam, kochte meine Mutter.
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Present and future: Wenn du kommst, essen wir.
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Conditions (“if”): Wenn es regnet, bleiben wir zu Hause .
wann: direct and indirect questions about time
Wann is a question word. It asks about time directly or in an indirect question.
Direct: Wann beginnt der Film?
Indirect: Ich weiß nicht, wann der Film beginnt.
In indirect questions with wann, the verb goes to the end, just like after other subordinating conjunctions.
Quick decision checklist
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Single past event? → als
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Repeated past event, present, future, or “if”? → wenn
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Question about time? → wann
COMMON MISTAKES WITH GERMAN CONJUNCTIONS
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Wrong verb position after weil/dass/obwohl: The verb must go to the end. Saying “weil ich bin müde” is wrong in standard German.
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Mixing up weil and denn: Both mean because, but weil sends the verb to the end and denn does not.
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dass vs das: If you are connecting a clause, use dass. If you mean “the” or “which,” use das.
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als vs wenn in the past: Use als for a single event, wenn for repeated events.
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Forgetting the comma: Subordinating conjunctions require a comma before the clause.
PRACTICE SENTENCES AND CHEAT SHEET
| Conjunction | Meaning | Verb Position | Example Cue |
|---|---|---|---|
| weil | because | End | …, weil ich müde bin. |
| dass | that | End | …, dass er kommt. |
| obwohl | although | End | …, obwohl sie krank ist. |
| als | when (single past) | End | …, als ich das hörte. |
| wenn | when/if (repeated, present, future) | End | …, wenn die Sonne scheint. |
| wann | when (question) | End (in indirect) | Ich weiß nicht, wann er kommt. |
| denn | because | Position 2 | …, denn ich bin müde. |
| und | and | Position 2 | …, und ich gehe. |
| aber | but | Position 2 | …, aber ich bleibe. |
| oder | or | Position 2 | …, oder wir warten. |
| sondern | but (contradiction) | Position 2 | …, sondern ich lerne. |
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CONCLUSION
German conjunctions are not difficult once you know the two groups. Coordinating conjunctions (denn, und, aber, oder, sondern) keep the verb in position two. Subordinating conjunctions (weil, dass, obwohl, als, wenn) send the verb to the end.
The most confusing pairs are weil/denn (same meaning, different word order) and als/wenn/wann (different meanings based on time and question type). Learn the decision rules and practice with real sentences. The word order will become automatic with repetition.
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Test Your German A1 for FreeFrequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between coordinating and subordinating conjunctions in German?
Coordinating conjunctions (und, aber, oder, denn) keep the verb in position 2. Subordinating conjunctions (weil, dass, obwohl, als, wenn) send the conjugated verb to the end of the clause. This word order difference is the most tested grammar point in German exams.
What is the difference between weil and denn?
Both mean “because,” but weil is subordinating and sends the verb to the end (…, weil ich müde bin). Denn is coordinating and keeps the verb in position 2 (…, denn ich bin müde). Weil is far more common in everyday speech.
When do you use dass instead of das?
Dass is a conjunction meaning “that.” Das is an article or pronoun. Use the replacement test: if you can replace it with “dieses” or “welches,” use das. If not, use dass. For example, “Ich weiß, dass er kommt” cannot use “dieses,” so it is dass.
What is the difference between als, wenn, and wann?
Als is for a single event in the past (Als ich ankam). Wenn is for repeated past events, present/future events, or conditions (Wenn es regnet). Wann is for direct and indirect questions about time (Wann kommst du?). Use the decision checklist to choose.
What is the difference between obwohl and trotzdem?
Obwohl means “although” and is subordinating (verb to the end). Trotzdem means “nevertheless” and is an adverb (verb in position 2). For example: Obwohl sie krank ist, arbeitet sie. Sie ist krank, trotzdem arbeitet sie.
Why does the verb go to the end after weil?
Weil is a subordinating conjunction, which creates a dependent clause. In German dependent clauses, the conjugated verb moves to the final position. This is a fixed rule and must be followed in written exams. Casual spoken German sometimes breaks it, but exams require the standard form.
What happens when a subordinate clause comes first?
When a subordinate clause comes first, the main clause starts with its verb. This creates a “verb, verb” pattern across the comma. For example: Weil ich müde bin, bleibe ich zu Hause. The verb “bleibe” comes immediately after the comma.
Do I need a comma before German conjunctions?
Yes, a comma is required before all subordinating conjunctions (weil, dass, obwohl, als, wenn). Coordinating conjunctions like und and oder do not require a comma unless the clauses are very long. Denn usually takes a comma.
What are common mistakes with German conjunctions?
Common mistakes include wrong verb position after weil, mixing up weil and denn, writing das instead of dass, using wenn for a single past event instead of als, and forgetting the comma before subordinate clauses.
How can I practice German conjunctions effectively?
Write sentences using each conjunction daily. Start with weil and dass, then add obwohl and als/wenn. Read German news and notice how conjunctions are used. Take practice exams that test word order. Use the cheat sheet to review verb position for each conjunction.
