Connectors in German A2-B1


Welcome to our language lesson today! Today we will focus on connectors, which play an important role in the German language. Connectors help us link sentences logically and make our speech clearer and more precise. We will concentrate on the following connectors: NACHDEM, DAMIT, DESHALB, WÄHREND, DENN, BEVOR, OBWOHL, BIS, ALS, WENN, SONDERN — and, of course, many others.
In this article, you will learn the meaning of these connectors, their correct usage, and sentence structure. Let’s get started!

nachdem
damit
deshalb
während
denn
bevor
obwohl
bis
als
wenn
sondern

nachdem

Type: Subordinating conjunction (verb at the end of the subordinate clause)

Meaning: Indicates an action that occurs before another action.

Structure:
1. Nachdem + subject + ... + verb at the end, + main clause (verb in second position).
2. Main clause (verb in second position) + , + nachdem + subject + ... + verb at the end.
Example:
1. “Nachdem ich gefrühstückt habe, gehe ich zur Arbeit.”
2. “Ich gehe zur Arbeit, nachdem ich gefrühstückt habe.”

damit

Type: Subordinating conjunction (verb at the end of the subordinate clause)

Meaning: Expresses purpose or intent.

Structure:
1. Damit + subject + ... + verb at the end, + main clause (verb in second position).
2. Main clause (verb in second position) + , + damit + subject + ... + verb at the end.
Example:
1. “Wir fahren früher los, damit wir nicht im Stau stehen.”
2. “Damit wir nicht im Stau stehen, fahren wir früher los.”

deshalb

Type: Conjunctive adverb (verb in second position)

Meaning: Explains cause and effect between events.

Structure:
Deshalb + verb in second position + subject + ...
Example:
“Ich bin müde. Deshalb gehe ich früh ins Bett.”

während

Type: Subordinating conjunction (verb at the end of the subordinate clause)

Meaning: Describes simultaneity or contrast.

Structure:
1. Während + subject + ... + verb at the end, + main clause (verb in second position).
2. Main clause (verb in second position) + , + während + subject + ... + verb at the end.
Example:
1. “Während ich bügele, höre ich Musik.”
2. “Ich höre Musik, während ich bügele.”

denn

Type: Coordinating conjunction (verb remains in second position in both main clauses)

Meaning: Connects two main clauses and gives a reason.

Structure:
Main clause (verb in second position) + denn + main clause (verb in second position).
Example:
“Ich gehe einkaufen, denn ich habe kein Brot mehr.”

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