German connectors fall into four groups, each with a different effect on word order. Coordinating conjunctions change nothing. Subordinating conjunctions push the verb to the very end of the clause. Adverbial connectors go to position 1 and invert the subject and verb. Two-part correlatives frame both sides of a contrast or addition.
Coordinating conjunctions join two main clauses. They sit between the clauses and have no effect on word order — the verb stays in position 2 in both halves.
These sit between two main clauses (Pos. 0). Word order after them is unchanged.
und — verb stays in P2 in both clauses.
sondern — corrects a negative: not X, but rather Y.
Subordinating conjunctions introduce a Nebensatz (subordinate clause). The conjugated verb moves to the very end of that clause. A comma always separates the Hauptsatz from the Nebensatz.
Comma before the Nebensatz. If the Nebensatz comes first, the main clause inverts (verb in P2).
weil pushes the verb to the very end.
Nebensatz first → main clause inverts: verb comes before subject.
Adverbial connectors are not conjunctions — they are adverbs that sit in position 1 of the main clause. Because position 1 is taken, the verb stays in position 2 and the subject shifts to position 3. This inversion is the same rule as time-expression fronting in any Hauptsatz.
These cause inversion because they fill position 1. They are NOT conjunctions — they do not start a Nebensatz.
deshalb fills P1 → verb stays P2 → subject ich shifts to P3.
trotzdem — nevertheless, we go for a walk (inversion after trotzdem).
Correlative conjunctions work in pairs — one in each clause, framing the relationship between them. Word order after each part follows normal main clause rules.
Each part sits in its own clause. The verb follows normal P2 rules after each connector.
entweder … oder: either you come now, or I go alone.
sowohl … als auch: both German and English.