ROADMAP · B2 · Natural communication with native speakers on various topics
Konnektoren für die Argumentation
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EXPLANATION
Argument connectors link ideas by adding, contrasting, showing a result, replacing one idea, balancing two sides, or concluding. In written German, the connector’s position often controls the word order.
These connectors help you build arguments in writing. Some go in position 1 and trigger inversion, such as außerdem, daher, dennoch, dagegen and zusammenfassend; others often stay in the middle field, especially jedoch and allerdings.
STRUCTURE
Konnektor in position 1 + Verb (konjugiert) + …These connectors add a new point to the argument.
- Außerdem kostet der Kurs weniger.Furthermore, the course costs less.
- Zudem ist er leichter zu verstehen.In addition, it is easier to understand.
- Darüber hinaus bietet die Schule mehr Übungen.Moreover, the school offers more exercises.
Main clause + Konnektor in the middle field / Konnektor in position 1 + Verb (konjugiert) + …Contrast can be shown either inside the clause or at the front.
- Die Wohnung ist klein, jedoch ist sie sehr hell.The apartment is small; however, it is very bright.
- Die Lösung ist einfach, allerdings ist sie nicht billig.The solution is simple; however, it is not cheap.
- Der Weg ist lang. Dennoch kommen wir rechtzeitig an.The journey is long. Nevertheless, we arrive on time.
Konnektor für Folge in position 1 + Verb (konjugiert) + …These connectors present a logical result of the previous sentence.
- Die Preise steigen, folglich kaufen viele Menschen weniger.Prices are rising; consequently, many people buy less.
- Es regnet stark. Somit fällt das Fest aus.It is raining heavily. Thus, the festival is cancelled.
- Die Bahn streikt. Daher arbeiten wir heute im Homeoffice.The train is on strike. Therefore, we are working from home today.
OVERVIEW
Common argument connectors and word order
| Function | Connector | Position | Word order effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Addition | außerdem / zudem / darüber hinaus | mostly 1 | inversion |
| Contrast | dagegen / hingegen | mostly 1 | inversion |
| Contrast | jedoch / allerdings | middle field | no inversion |
| Consequence | folglich / somit / daher / infolgedessen | mostly 1 | inversion |
| Alternative | stattdessen | 1 or middle | depends on position |
| Two-sided | einerseits … andererseits | paired | two balanced points |
| Conclusion | insgesamt / zusammenfassend | mostly 1 | inversion |
COMMON MISTAKES
Daher wir gehen früher.
Daher gehen wir früher.
daher is a sentence connector in position 1 here, so the finite verb must come in position 2. The error is the word order, not the spelling of daher.
Jedoch ich bin müde, arbeite ich weiter.
Ich bin müde, ich arbeite jedoch weiter.
In the wrong sentence, jedoch starts the second clause, but the finite verb does not follow immediately. The corrected sentence places jedoch after the subject in the Mittelfeld.
Allerdings ich habe keine Zeit.
Allerdings habe ich keine Zeit.
When allerdings stands at the front, the finite verb must move to position 2, before the subject: Allerdings habe ich.
USAGE NOTES
- In formal writing, many of these connectors are preferred over simple und/aber because they show the logic more clearly.
- jedoch and allerdings are special: they often stay inside the sentence, not at the very front, and when they do stand at the front, the word order is normal inversion like with other position-1 elements.
- When a connector stands in position 1, the finite verb moves to position 2: Außerdem kommen wir später. This is the same inversion pattern as with many adverbs.
- Use punctuation carefully: a full stop often separates two main clauses in written argument, while a comma is needed before a Nebensatz such as with obwohl.
RELATED
Pick the answer that completes the sentence
Ich habe heute Zeit, ＿＿ muss ich früher gehen.
I have time today; however, I have to leave early.