Einerseits.....andererseits and zwar ....aber

In German, when we want to express ourselves more fluently and eloquently, we can use paired conjunctions. Einerseits.....andererseits and zwar ....aber are two pairs of conjunctions that can cause confusion for learners. Today's article will cover these 2 pairs of conjunctions.

Let's explore them together!!!

1. Einerseits.....,andererseits (on the one hand…on the other hand…)

• Used when you compare two different events, actions, or two different thoughts and opinions about a situation (2 aspects of 1 issue).

• This pair of conjunctions can appear in first position in a sentence, but can also stand in the middle of a sentence.

• The two clauses of the pair can be swapped with each other and are separated by a comma.

Das Handy ist einerseits sehr nützlich, es macht andererseits süchtig.

(On the one hand, the phone is very useful; on the other hand, it is addictive.)

= Das Handy macht einerseits süchtig, es ist andererseits sehr nützlich.

Einerseits ist Maria gern zu Hause, andererseits geht sie auch gerne mit Freunden aus.

(On the one hand, Maria likes being at home; on the other hand, she also likes going out with friends.)

= Einerseits geht Maria auch gerne mit Freunden aus, andererseits ist sie gern zu Hause.

2. Zwar…,aber… (…, but…)

• Zwar…, aber has a similar meaning to ''aber'' but is more emphatic.

• It expresses two contrasting events or situations. If one event or situation has a positive meaning (positiv), the other will have a negative meaning (negativ).

• Zwar can appear in several positions within a sentence. Normally, zwar stands after the conjugated verb. Aber always stands at the beginning of the second clause, after the comma.

• The position of the verb in the clauses does not change (second position).Er ist zwar alt, aber er ist noch sehr aktiv.

(He is admittedly old, but he is still very active.)

Zwar muss ich zum Arzt gehen, aber danach kann ich zu dir kommen.

(Tomorrow I have to go to the hospital, but after that I can come to you.)

   *\*\*\*Note:* When a pronoun appears in the sentence, zwar will stand immediately after the pronoun rather than after the verb as in the general case. The order is as follows:

Verb + pronoun + zwar: Er sieht sie zwar nicht, aber er kann sie hören.

(He admittedly cannot see her, but he can hear her.)