Advanced text connectors for contrast, addition, and restriction
At B2, you learn a wider range of text connectors (Konnektoren) for writing sophisticated German. These include adversative (contrast), additive (addition), and restrictive connectors that allow you to construct nuanced arguments and narratives. Unlike simple coordinating conjunctions (und, aber), these connectors allow more precise expression of logical relationships between ideas.
Adversative connectors — contrast and limitation
dagegen (on the other hand/by contrast), hingegen (however/in contrast), jedoch (however), allerdings (however/admittedly), dennoch (nevertheless), trotzdem (nevertheless/all the same), nichtsdestotrotz (nevertheless — formal). These show contrast or limitation: Er ist müde, dennoch arbeitet er weiter. (He's tired; nevertheless he keeps working.)
Additive connectors — adding information
außerdem (moreover/besides), darüber hinaus (furthermore/in addition), zudem (in addition/what's more), überdies (moreover — formal), nicht nur...sondern auch (not only...but also), sowohl...als auch (both...and), weder...noch (neither...nor). Sie ist intelligent. Außerdem arbeitet sie fleißig. (She is intelligent. Moreover, she works diligently.)
Restrictive connectors — limiting a statement
zwar...aber (admittedly...but), immerhin (at least/after all), wenigstens (at least), zumindest (at least), allerdings (though/however). Zwar ist es teuer, aber es lohnt sich. (Admittedly it's expensive, but it's worth it.) | Er hat zwar keine Erfahrung, ist jedoch sehr motiviert. (He admittedly has no experience, however he is very motivated.)
Causal and consecutive connectors
daher/darum/deshalb (therefore/that's why), deswegen (for that reason), folglich (consequently — formal), somit (thus), infolgedessen (as a result — formal). These show cause-effect: Es regnete stark. Deshalb blieben wir zu Hause. (It rained heavily. That's why we stayed home.)
Word order with sentence adverbs (Konjunktionaladverbien)
These connectors function as adverbs, occupying position 1 or position 3 (after the verb) in a sentence. They cause inversion when in position 1: Deshalb gehe ich heim (inversion: deshalb → verb → subject). Or they can go after the verb: Ich gehe deshalb heim. They DON'T change the second clause structure like subordinating conjunctions.
| Type | Connector | English | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adversative | jedoch | however | Position 1 or 3 |
| Adversative | dennoch / trotzdem | nevertheless | Position 1 |
| Adversative | allerdings | however / admittedly | Position 1 or 3 |
| Adversative | dagegen / hingegen | by contrast | Position 1 or 3 |
| Additive | außerdem | moreover / besides | Position 1 |
| Additive | darüber hinaus | furthermore | Position 1 |
| Additive | zudem | in addition | Position 1 |
| Restrictive | zwar...aber | admittedly...but | zwar in position 3, aber starts new clause |
| Restrictive | immerhin | at least / after all | Position 1 or 3 |
| Causal | deshalb / daher | therefore / that's why | Position 1 |
| Causal | folglich / somit | consequently / thus | Position 1 — formal |
Das Produkt ist teuer. Dennoch lohnt sich die Investition.
The product is expensive. Nevertheless, the investment is worthwhile.
dennoch at position 1 → inversion: lohnt sich (verb) die Investition (subject)
Er hat zwar keine Erfahrung, ist jedoch sehr motiviert.
He admittedly has no experience; however, he is very motivated.
zwar...jedoch: acknowledges limitation then contrasts
Sie spricht Deutsch. Darüber hinaus beherrscht sie auch Spanisch und Russisch.
She speaks German. Furthermore, she also commands Spanish and Russian.
darüber hinaus at position 1 → inversion
Das Projekt ist gescheitert. Immerhin haben wir viel gelernt.
The project failed. At least we learned a lot.
immerhin: conceding value from a negative situation
Einerseits mag ich Städte, andererseits liebe ich die Natur.
Tap to revealEinerseits mag ich Städte, andererseits liebe ich die Natur.
On one hand I like cities, on the other hand I love nature.
Reinforce what you learned with interactive exercises.