Conjunctive Adverbs For Intermediate learners

What are Conjunctive Adverbs?

Conjunctive adverbs (Konjunktionaladverbien) connect two independent sentences by expressing a logical relationship between them. For instance, in the sentence "I wanted to go hiking; however, it started raining.", the word "however" is a conjunctive adverb.

Different Types of Conjunctive Adverbs

Conjunctive adverbs can be classified based on their function and the relationship that they create between the sentences.

Reason

Result

Contrast

Addition

Condition

Reason

Some conjunctive adverbs create a dynamic in which one sentence becomes the reason for the other one. Here are some of the common conjunctive adverbs that show such a relationship:

deshalb	therefore, that's why
deswegen	therefore, for that reason
daher	hence, thus
also	so, thus
darum	that's why

Example

Es regnet. Deshalb bleibe ich zu Hause.

It's raining. Therefore, I'm staying home.

Er hat die Prüfung nicht bestanden. Deswegen ist er sehr traurig.

He didn't pass the exam. That's why he is very sad.

Result

These conjunctive adverbs show the consequence of something. Here are some of the common conjunctive adverbs that show such a relationship:

folglich	consequently, as a result
infolgedessen	accordingly, consequently
daher	hence

Example

Der Zug hatte Verspätung. Folglich verpasste ich meinen Anschluss.

The train was delayed. Consequently, I missed my connection.

Das Unternehmen konnte die Kosten nicht decken. Infolgedessen musste es schließen.

The company couldn't cover its costs. As a result, it had to close down.

Contrast

These conjunctive adverbs show the contrast between two sentences. There are usually translated to "however" in English language.

trotzdem	nevertheless, anyway
allerdings	however, though
dennoch	nonetheless, all the same
hingegen	in contrast, on the other hand

Example

Es regnete. Trotzdem sind wir spazieren gegangen.

It was raining. Nevertheless, we went for a walk.

Ich verstehe deinen Argument. Allerdings bin ich nicht deiner Meinung.

I understand your argument. However, I don't agree with you.

Addition

These types of conjunctive adverbs help add more information to the previous statement. Here are some of the common conjunctive adverbs that show this relationship:


außerdem	besides, moreover
zudem	furthermore, in addition
überdies	moreover, besides
auch	also

Example

Er spricht fließend Deutsch. Außerdem kann er Japanisch.

He speaks German fluently. Moreover, he can speak Japanese.

Die Lage der Wohnung ist ideal. Überdies ist die Miete sehr günstig.

The apartment's location is ideal. Moreover, the rent is very cheap.

Condition

These conjunctive adverbs explain the condition under which another thing should happen. Here are some of the common conjunctive adverbs that show this relationship:

sonst	otherwise, or else
andernfalls	otherwise

Example

Beeil dich! Sonst kommen wir zu spät.

Hurry up! Otherwise we'll be late.

Zieh dir eine Jacke an, sonst erkältest du dich.

Put on a jacket, or else you'll catch a cold.

Punctuation

You can use different punctuations for conjunctive adverbs. The most common punctuation is period. However, you can use a semicolon or comma in order to connect the two independent clauses.

Example

Es regnet. Deshalb bleiben wir zu Hause.

It is raining. Therefore, we are staying home.

Es regnet; deshalb bleiben wir zu Hause.

It is raining; therefore, we are staying home.

Es regnet, deshalb bleiben wir zu Hause.

It is raining, therefore we are staying home.

Conjunctive Adverbs vs. Subordinating Conjunction

The main difference between conjunctive adverbs and subordinating conjunctions is that a conjunctive adverb connects two main clauses, while a subordinating conjunction introduces a subordinate clause. Plus, the conjunctive adverb can move in a clause, but the subordinating conjunction is fixed.