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TOPIC · Sentence structure & conjunctions

What are the ADUSO conjunctions in German

A1

After this lesson you can name the five ADUSO conjunctions, explain their function, and use them with correct word order in simple German sentences.

In this lesson you will learn the five most important ADUSO conjunctions in German. They connect two main clauses and do not change the word order.

Overview: What does ADUSO mean?

ADUSO is a memory word and stands for:

  • A: aber
  • D: denn
  • U: und
  • S: sondern
  • O: oder

All five are nebenordnende Konjunktionen (coordinating conjunctions). They connect two main clauses or two elements of the same type.

Functions and examples

KonjunktionFunction (short)ExampleMeaning
abercontrastIch mag Kaffee, aber ich trinke nur Tee.I like coffee, but I drink only tea.
dennreasonIch bleibe zu Hause, denn ich bin krank.I stay at home, because I am ill.
undaddition, listingEr lernt Deutsch und er arbeitet im Restaurant.He learns German and he works in a restaurant.
sonderncorrection after a negationSie trinkt nicht Kaffee, sondern Tee.She does not drink coffee, but (instead) tea.
oderalternative, choiceGehst du ins Kino oder bleibst du zu Hause?Do you go to the cinema or do you stay at home?

Important: sondern almost always needs a negation (nicht, kein) before it.

Word order with ADUSO

With aber, denn, und, sondern, oder the normal German word order stays the same:

  • Main clause 1 + comma + ADUSO + main clause 2
  • Structure in both clauses: Subjekt – Verb – Rest (subject – verb – rest)

Examples:

  • Ich lerne Deutsch, und ich höre jeden Tag Podcasts. (I learn German, and I listen to podcasts every day.)
  • Er ist müde, denn er hat viel gearbeitet. (He is tired, because he has worked a lot.)
  • Ich möchte ins Kino gehen, aber ich habe keine Zeit. (I would like to go to the cinema, but I have no time.)
  • Sie fährt nicht mit dem Bus, sondern sie fährt mit dem Fahrrad. (She does not go by bus, but instead she goes by bike.)
  • Trinken wir Wasser, oder trinken wir Saft? (Do we drink water, or do we drink juice?)

In German, the finite verb in a main clause is always in position 2, also after ADUSO.

Typical mistakes and tips

  • Do not move the verb to the end: not Ich lerne Deutsch, und ich jeden Tag Podcasts höre, but Ich lerne Deutsch, und ich höre jeden Tag Podcasts.
  • Do not mix denn with weil: After denn, keep main-clause order (denn er ist müde), not denn er müde ist.
  • After aber a comma is normally used in standard written German.

Small practice

  1. Join the sentences with the correct ADUSO conjunction:

    • Ich habe heute Zeit. Ich möchte ins Schwimmbad gehen. (contrast?)
    • Er trinkt nicht Bier. Er trinkt Wein. (correction after negation.)

  2. Write one sentence with each: aber, denn, und, sondern, oder.