„Trotzdem", „dennoch" und ("Trotzdem", "dennoch" and "obwohl" are used to connect two sentences.)
| Konjunktion (Conjunction) | Beispiel (Example) |
| obwohl (although) | Ich habe mein Handgepäck gepackt, obwohl es klein ist. (I packed my carry-on, although it is small.) |
| trotzdem (nevertheless) | Das Gepäck ist schwer, trotzdem nehme ich es mit. (The luggage is heavy, nevertheless I take it with me.) |
| dennoch (still) | Ich habe wenig Platz, dennoch packe ich alles ein. (I have little space, still I pack everything.) |
Exceptions!
- "Dennoch" is more formal than "trotzdem", but has the same meaning.
Exercise 1: Satzverbindungen mit „trotzdem", „dennoch" und
Instruction: Fill in the correct word.
trotzdem, dennoch, obwohl
1.
Die Geschäftsreise ist sehr spontan, ... bin ich sehr gut vorbereitet.
(The business trip is very spontaneous, yet I am very well prepared.)
2.
Ich habe mein Handgepäck gepackt,... es klein ist.
(I have packed my hand luggage, even though it is small.)
3.
Der Koffer ist schwer, ... gehe ich zum Flughafen.
(The suitcase is heavy, but I am still going to the airport.)
4.
Das Gepäck ist schwer, ... nehme ich es mit.
(The luggage is heavy, but I am taking it with me.)
5.
Der Koffer ist schon voll, ... packe ich noch die Unterwäsche ein.
(The suitcase is already full, but I'm still packing the underwear.)
6.
Ich packe das Gepäck aus, ... es spät ist.
(I unpack the luggage, even though it is late.)
7.
Ich habe wenig Platz, ... packe ich alles ein.
(I have little space, yet I pack everything in.)
8.
Pack die Unterwäsche ein ,... der Koffer klein ist.
(Pack the underwear, even though the suitcase is small.)
Exercise 2: Multiple Choice
Instruction: In each block, choose the sentence that is grammatically correct and uses the word 'although' or 'nevertheless' correctly to connect two sentences. Pay attention to the most common mistakes when connecting sentences with these words.
1.
'Nevertheless' connects main clauses; here, 'although' should be used.
In the subordinate clause with 'although', the verb must be at the end; the word order here is incorrect.
2.
'Although' introduces a subordinate clause, but here a main clause is needed; also, the word order is wrong.
'Nevertheless' is followed by a main clause with normal word order; here, the word order is incorrect.
3.
After the subordinate clause with 'although' follows a main clause; the subject is duplicated here, which is incorrect.
'Nevertheless' is not used together with 'although' in one sentence; this combination is ungrammatical.
4.
Incorrect use of 'although': the word order is wrong and the subordinate clause is incomplete.
'Nevertheless' is followed by a main clause without a subordinate clause; here, the connection and word order are incorrect.
Exercise 3: Rewrite the phrases
Instruction: Combine or change the sentences and use correctly: obwohl, trotzdem oder dennoch.
-
Ich bin sehr müde. Ich gehe ins Fitnessstudio.⇒ _______________________________________________ ExampleIch bin sehr müde, trotzdem gehe ich ins Fitnessstudio.(Although I am very tired, I go to the gym.)
-
Das Hotel ist teuer. Wir buchen das Hotel.⇒ _______________________________________________ ExampleObwohl das Hotel teuer ist, buchen wir es.(Although the hotel is expensive, we book it.)
-
⇒ _______________________________________________ ExampleEs regnet stark, trotzdem machen wir einen Spaziergang.(It's raining heavily; nevertheless, we go for a walk.)
-
⇒ _______________________________________________ ExampleObwohl ich morgen eine Prüfung habe, treffe ich meine Freunde im Café.(Although I have an exam tomorrow, I am meeting my friends at the café.)
-
⇒ _______________________________________________ ExampleIch habe wenig Zeit, dennoch koche ich heute Abend selbst.(I have little time; nevertheless, I'm cooking dinner myself this evening.)
-
Der Zug hat Verspätung. Wir kommen pünktlich zur Besprechung.⇒ _______________________________________________ ExampleDer Zug hat Verspätung, trotzdem kommen wir pünktlich zur Besprechung.(The train is delayed; nevertheless, we arrive on time for the meeting.)
