Conjunctions
Conjunctions
Conjunctions are little words that join up bits of sentences.
a) The following conjunctions do not change the word order:
| und | and |
| aber | but |
| denn | for, because |
| oder | or |
| sondern | but (after a negative) |
For example: Ich gehe ins Restaurant und ich esse einen Kuchen.
b) Some conjunctions affect the word order. After these conjunctions, the verb goes to the end of the sentence.
For example:
Now look carefully at the word order if you start the sentence with one of these conjunctions. This is how you would put these two sentences together:
Die Sonne scheint. Ich fahre mit dem Rad.
In the first part of the sentence (clause), the verb must go to the end:
At the beginning of the second part of the sentence (clause), the verb must come next and you must turn it around (invert it):
These are the conjunctions that have this effect on the verb:
| wenn | if, when |
| nachdem | after |
| damit | so that |
| bevor | before |
| bis | until |
| als | when (past tense) |
| dass | that |
| ob | whether |
| obwohl | although |
| weil | because |
| während | while |
c) Separable verbs after a conjunction. After a conjunction, the two parts of the verb join up again at the end of a clause or sentence.
For example:
d) Modal verbs after a conjunction. After a conjunction, the modal verb goes to the end of the clause after the infinitive.
Normal word order: Ich kann nicht fahren.
After weil: Weil ich nicht fahren kann.