Learn how to connect sentences with "obwohl" (although), "trotzdem" (nevertheless), and "dennoch" (still) to express contrasts and unexpected results, e.g., "obwohl das Gepäck klein ist" or "trotzdem nehme ich es mit."
- obwohl introduces a subordinate clause that indicates an exception or an obstacle
- Trotzdem and dennoch both introduce a main clause that expresses an unexpected result or a contradiction.
| Konjunktion | Verwendung | Beispiel |
| obwohl (although) | Nebensatz als Gegensatz (Subordinate clause as contrast) | Ich habe mein Handgepäck gepackt, obwohl es klein ist. |
| trotzdem (nevertheless) | Hauptsatz zeigt Überraschung oder Widerspruch (Main clause shows surprise or contradiction) | Das Gepäck ist schwer, trotzdem nehme ich es mit. |
| dennoch (nevertheless) | formeller als trotzdem, aber gleiche Bedeutung (more formal than nevertheless, but same meaning) | Ich habe wenig Platz, dennoch packe ich alles ein. |
Exceptions!
- although forces the subordinate clause with the verb at the end
- trotzdem can directly introduce a main clause after a comma
Exercise 1: Satzverbindungen mit obwohl und trotzdem
Instruction: Fill in the correct word.
obwohl , dennoch, trotzdem, obwohl, trotzdem
1.
Ich habe wenig Platz, ... packe ich alles ein.
(I have little space, yet I pack everything.)
2.
Das Gepäck ist schwer, ... nehme ich es mit.
(The luggage is heavy; nevertheless, I take it with me.)
3.
Ich packe das Gepäck aus, ... es spät ist.
(I unpack the luggage, although it is late.)
4.
Der Koffer ist schwer, ... gehe ich zum Flughafen.
(The suitcase is heavy, but I am still going to the airport.)
5.
Ich habe mein Handgepäck gepackt,... es klein ist.
(I have packed my hand luggage, although it is small.)
6.
Pack die Unterwäsche ein ,... der Koffer klein ist.
(Pack the underwear, although the suitcase is small.)
Exercise 2: Multiple Choice
Instruction: Choose the sentence that is grammatically correct and uses the rules with "obwohl" and "trotzdem" correctly.
1.
"trotzdem" cannot introduce a subordinate clause with "ich"; it only stands at the beginning of the main clause or after a comma.
In the subordinate clause with "obwohl" the verb stands at the end; here "nehme" instead of "nehmen" would be the correct conjugation.
2.
"obwohl" cannot introduce a main clause with the verb at the beginning; it introduces a subordinate clause.
After "trotzdem" follows a main clause with normal word order, not with "we" in second position.
3.
The position of "it" is wrong; in the main clause the pronoun stands before "with".
In the subordinate clause the conjugated verb stands at the end; here "is" is too early.
4.
After "dennoch" follows a main clause with normal word order, not with the subject in second position.
"obwohl" introduces a subordinate clause with the verb at the end; here the verb at the end is missing.
