und/oder/aber/denn
Coordinating Conjunctions
Coordinating conjunctions (und, oder, aber, denn) connect two main clauses. They sit in 'Position 0', meaning the sentence structure that follows remains exactly the same as a normal sentence (Subject-Verb-Object).
How It Works
Coordinating conjunctions are the simplest way to combine sentences in German. They are often remembered by the acronym ADUSO (Aber, Denn, Und, Sondern, Oder).
1. Position Zero: These words occupy 'Position 0'. They do not count as the first element. This means the next word is Position 1, and the verb remains in Position 2. While the subject often takes Position 1, other elements like adverbs can also go there (e.g., ...aber heute bleibe ich hier).
2. The Five Main Connectors:
- und (and): Adds information.
- oder (or): Offers a choice.
- aber (but): Shows a contrast.
- denn (because): Gives a reason. (Note: Unlike weil, it does not move the verb to the end).
- sondern (but rather): Used to correct a negative statement. Ich trinke keinen Saft, sondern ich trinke Wasser.
3. Subject Omission: If the subject is the same in both clauses, you can drop it in the second clause for und, oder, aber, and sondern. However, you must always include the subject after denn.
4. Punctuation: Always put a comma before aber, denn, and sondern. For und and oder, a comma is usually optional.
Examples (5)
- Ich trinke Tee und ich esse einen Apfel.
I am drinking tea and I am eating an apple.
Word by Word: I drink tea and I eat an apple.
Here, 'und' connects two independent actions. Notice the word order in the second part: Subject (ich) then Verb (esse).
- Wir gehen ins Kino oder bleiben zu Hause.
We are going to the cinema or staying at home.
Word by Word: We go into the cinema or stay at home.
If the subject (wir) is the same in both parts, you can omit it after 'oder', 'und', 'aber', or 'sondern'.
- Er ist nicht reich, sondern er ist arm.
He is not rich, but rather he is poor.
Word by Word: He is not rich, but rather he is poor.
'Sondern' is used after a negation (nicht/kein) to provide a correction. It also occupies Position 0.
- Ich bleibe heute zu Hause, denn ich bin krank.
I am staying home today because I am sick.
Word by Word: I stay today at home, because I am sick.
'Denn' provides a reason. Unlike weil, the verb 'bin' stays in its normal second position. Note: You cannot omit the subject after 'denn'.
- Ich habe Hunger, aber heute esse ich nichts.
I am hungry, but today I am eating nothing.
Word by Word: I have hunger, but today eat I nothing.
After the conjunction (Position 0), another element like 'heute' can take Position 1. This causes the verb and subject to swap places to keep the verb in Position 2.
Common Mistakes
Moving the verb to the end after 'denn'.
Ich esse, denn ich Hunger habe.Ich esse, denn ich habe Hunger.Learners often confuse 'denn' with 'weil'. 'Denn' is a coordinating conjunction (Position 0), so the verb must stay in Position 2.
Starting a sentence with 'denn'.
Denn ich bin müde, schlafe ich.Ich schlafe, denn ich bin müde.A 'denn' clause cannot start a sentence. It must always follow the main clause it is explaining.
Forgetting the comma before 'aber' or 'denn'.
Ich bin klein aber ich bin stark.Ich bin klein, aber ich bin stark.In German, coordinating conjunctions that show contrast (aber) or reason (denn) require a comma to separate the two independent clauses.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To use coordinating conjunctions like 'und' or 'aber', you need to know how to build a basic German sentence and conjugate verbs in the present tense, as these words simply join two complete thoughts together without altering the grammar of the individual parts.
- Basic Word Order
Coordinating conjunctions connect clauses without changing the word order, so understanding basic sentence structure is essential to see how they function in 'position zero'.
Level 1 - Regular Present Tense
To connect clauses using these conjunctions, you need to be able to form complete sentences with correctly conjugated verbs.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- Verb-Second Word Order
Coordinating conjunctions are unique because they do NOT trigger inversion, unlike many other connectors.
Level 2 - weilBecause (Weil)
Both 'denn' and 'weil' mean 'because', but 'weil' is a subordinating conjunction that moves the verb to the end.
Level 2 - sondernBut Rather (Sondern)
'Sondern' is the fifth ADUSO conjunction; it also means 'but' but is used specifically after a negation.
Level 5 - Coordinating Vs Subordinating Conjunctions
This pattern focuses on coordinators; comparing them to subordinators helps clarify when to move the verb.
Level 2
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
- Numbers Above 20Level 1
- Verb-Final In Subordinate ClausesLevel 2
- entweder...oderEither...OrLevel 3
- nicht nur...sondern auchNot Only...But AlsoLevel 3
- sowohl...als auchBoth...AndLevel 3
- weder...nochNeither...NorLevel 3
- zwar...aberIndeed...ButLevel 3
- deshalb/deswegen/daherAdverbs of ConsequenceLevel 4
And 2 more in the full list.
Words in This Pattern
Practice und/oder/aber/denn in Bubblegum
Poppy, your AI tutor, writes German lessons at your level. Tap any grammar point in a lesson to see its full explanation.
