Coordinating conjunctions are used to connect two equal parts of a sentence, such as two main clauses or two words/phrases. German has several coordinating conjunctions, each with its own meaning:
- und — and
- aber — but
- oder — or
- denn — because
- sondern — but rather (used after a negation)
Examples and Rules
| Conjunction | Example in German | English Example | Word Order Rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| und | Ich spiele Fußball, und sie liest ein Buch. | I play soccer, and she reads a book. | Maintain normal word order in both clauses. |
| aber | Er ist müde, aber er geht zur Arbeit. | He is tired, but he goes to work. | Both clauses keep standard word order. |
| oder | Möchtest du Tee oder Kaffee? | Would you like tea or coffee? | Simply connects items or clauses without moving verbs. |
| denn | Ich kann nicht kommen, denn ich bin krank. | I can’t come because I am sick. | Both clauses keep normal word order; no inversion. |
| sondern | Ich trinke keinen Kaffee, sondern Tee. | I don’t drink coffee, but rather tea. | Used after a negative clause; both parts have normal word order. |
Important Notes
- Coordinating conjunctions do not change the word order. The finite verb remains in the same position as it would in a simple sentence.
- sondern is always used after a negative statement and introduces a correction.
- denn is similar to because but does not cause verb inversion.
- You can connect either two main clauses or two words/phrases with these conjunctions.
Summary
- Coordinating conjunctions connect equal parts of a sentence.
- They do not change the word order — the finite verb stays in its usual position.
- Choose the conjunction based on meaning: und (and), aber (but), oder (or), denn (because), sondern (but rather).
When must you use 'sondern' instead of 'aber' in German?
After a negative clause to introduce a correction.
'Sondern' is used specifically after a negation to correct or contrast what was negated, e.g., 'Ich trinke keinen Kaffee, sondern Tee.'
Flashcards (1 of 5)
- Conjunction: und
- Word Order Rule: Maintain normal word order in both clauses.
- English Example: I play soccer, and she reads a book.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
