What is the difference between 'aber' and 'sondern'?

Both can mean 'but', but they are used differently. 'Aber' is used to add a contrasting thought (e.g., 'It is cold but sunny'). 'Sondern' is used after a negative statement to mean 'but rather' or 'instead' (e.g., 'I am not eating an apple, but rather a pear').

Does 'weil' always move the verb to the end of the sentence?

Yes, in written German and for the purposes of your GCSE exam, 'weil' is a subordinating conjunction. This means the conjugated verb (the one that matches the subject) must always go to the very end of that specific clause.

How do I know where to put the comma?

In German, you should place a comma immediately before the conjunction that starts the second clause. For example: 'Ich bleibe zu Hause, weil ich krank bin.' The comma separates the main idea from the reason.

When should I use 'wenn' instead of 'wann'?

'Wann' is used only for questions about time, like 'Wann kommst du?' (When are you coming?). 'Wenn' is a conjunction used for 'if' or 'whenever' in a statement, such as 'Wenn es regnet, bleibe ich hier' (If it rains, I'll stay here).

Is 'denn' better to use than 'weil' in the exam?

Neither is 'better', but they require different word orders. 'Denn' is often easier because it uses standard word order (Verb in position 2). However, using 'weil' correctly shows the examiner you understand more complex German grammar rules, which can help your grade.

What happens if there are two verbs in a 'weil' clause?

If you have a modal verb (like 'kann' or 'muss') and an infinitive (like 'spielen'), the conjugated modal verb goes to the very end, and the infinitive stays just before it. For example: '...weil ich Fußball spielen kann.'

Grammar (Foundation): Conjunctions

AQA

GCSE

This topic covers the foundational knowledge of conjunctions in German, specifically focusing on the distinction between coordinating and subordinating conjunctions and their impact on sentence structure.

Objectives

Exam Tips

Pitfalls

Key Terms

Mark Points

Topic Overview

Conjunctions are the essential 'connective tissue' of the German language, allowing you to link ideas and build complex sentences. At the AQA GCSE Foundation level, moving beyond simple, single-clause sentences is vital for accessing higher marks in the Writing and Speaking exams. This topic focuses on two distinct groups: coordinating conjunctions, which link two independent clauses, and subordinating conjunctions, which create a dependent relationship between clauses.

The primary challenge for English-speaking students is the impact these words have on word order. While coordinating conjunctions (like 'und' or 'aber') leave the sentence structure unchanged, subordinating conjunctions (like 'weil' or 'dass') trigger a specific grammatical rule where the conjugated verb must move to the very end of the clause. Mastering this distinction is one of the most effective ways to demonstrate grammatical control to an examiner.

Key Concepts

Core ideas you must understand for this topic

→ADUSO (Coordinating Conjunctions): This acronym stands for Aber (but), Denn (because), Und (and), Sondern (but rather), and Oder (or). These five words do not change the word order of the following clause.
→Subordinating Conjunctions: Words such as 'weil' (because), 'dass' (that), 'wenn' (if/when), and 'obwohl' (although) require the conjugated verb to be placed at the end of the clause.
→The Comma Rule: In German, a comma must almost always precede a conjunction that introduces a new clause. This is a strict punctuation rule that differs from English.
→Verb-Last Position: In a subordinate clause, the verb that would usually be in position 2 (the conjugated verb) is kicked to the final position in the sentence, even after objects and adverbs.

What You Need to Demonstrate

Key skills and knowledge for this topic

Correct use of coordinating conjunctions (e.g., aber, oder, und) to join clauses without changing word order.
Correct use of subordinating conjunctions (e.g., als, obwohl, weil, wenn) to trigger the verb to move to the end of the clause.
Accurate application of word order rules in subordinate clauses.

Marking Points

Key points examiners look for in your answers

Correct use of coordinating conjunctions (e.g., aber, oder, und) to join clauses without changing word order.
Correct use of subordinating conjunctions (e.g., als, obwohl, weil, wenn) to trigger the verb to move to the end of the clause.
Accurate application of word order rules in subordinate clauses.

Examiner Tips

Expert advice for maximising your marks

💡Remember the mnemonic 'V2' for main clauses and 'Verb-End' for subordinate clauses.
💡Check your verb position carefully when writing sentences with 'weil' or 'wenn'.
💡Use a variety of conjunctions in your writing to access higher marks for range of language.
💡Variety scores points: Even at Foundation level, try to use at least one 'obwohl' (although) or 'da' (since) in your writing to show a range of vocabulary beyond 'und' and 'weil'.
💡Check your verb endings: When moving the verb to the end of a 'weil' clause, students often forget to conjugate it correctly for the subject. Always double-check that the verb at the end matches the person doing the action.
💡The 'Sondern' trick: Use 'sondern' when you have a negative in the first part of the sentence (e.g., 'Ich spiele nicht Tennis, sondern Fußball'). This shows sophisticated use of specific conjunctions.

Common Mistakes

Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

Failing to move the verb to the end of the clause after a subordinating conjunction.
Confusing coordinating conjunctions with subordinating conjunctions regarding word order.
Incorrect placement of the verb in clauses introduced by 'weil' or 'obwohl'.
Using 'denn' with verb-last order: Many students confuse 'denn' with 'weil' because they both mean 'because'. However, 'denn' is part of ADUSO and keeps the verb in position 2, while 'weil' sends it to the end.
Confusing 'wenn' and 'wann': Students often use 'wann' for 'if' or 'whenever'. 'Wann' is strictly for questions regarding time, whereas 'wenn' is the conjunction used for conditional 'if' or repeated 'when' statements.
Omitting the comma: Students frequently forget the comma before 'weil' or 'dass'. In the AQA marking scheme, consistent punctuation errors can impact your accuracy grade.

Revision Plan

How to revise this topic in 1–2 weeks

1Day 1-3: Memorise the ADUSO conjunctions and practice writing five compound sentences where the word order stays the same.
2Day 4-7: Focus on 'weil' and 'dass'. Write ten sentences explaining your opinions on school subjects or hobbies, ensuring the verb is at the end of every 'weil' clause.
3Day 8-10: Practice the 'comma + conjunction' rule by reviewing old essays and inserting missing commas and moving verbs to the correct final positions.
4Day 11-14: Complete AQA-style translation drills from English to German that specifically require the use of both coordinating and subordinating conjunctions.

Exam Question Types

How this topic typically appears in the exam

📋English to German Translation: You will be asked to translate short sentences. If the English sentence uses 'because', you must decide between 'denn' (V2) or 'weil' (V-last).
📋90-word Writing Task: You are required to use a variety of structures. Using three different conjunctions correctly is a standard way to meet the criteria for 'Variety of Language'.
📋Photo Card Description: When describing a photo, using 'weil' to explain why people look happy or what they are doing adds the necessary detail to reach the top marks for 'Communication'.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions students ask about this topic

Before You Start

Prior knowledge that will help with this topic

•Present tense verb conjugation (knowing how to change verb endings for ich, du, er/sie/es, etc.)
•Basic word order (Subject-Verb-Object) in main clauses
•Common opinion phrases (e.g., 'Ich finde...', 'Ich denke...')

Likely Command Words

How questions on this topic are typically asked

Schreib

Beschreib

Vervollständige

Übersetze

Ready to test yourself?

Practice questions tailored to this topic

Grammar (Foundation): Conjunctions

Topic Overview

Key Concepts

What You Need to Demonstrate

Marking Points

Examiner Tips

Common Mistakes

Revision Plan

Exam Question Types

Frequently Asked Questions

Before You Start

Likely Command Words

Ready to test yourself?

Related Topics in AQA GCSE German

Communication strategies

Communication strategies: Strategies for production

Communication strategies: Strategies for understanding

General vocabulary: Access

How to Revise Grammar (Foundation): Conjunctions — AQA GCSE German

Examiner Tips for Grammar (Foundation): Conjunctions

Common Mistakes in Grammar (Foundation): Conjunctions

Key Marking Points

Grammar (Foundation): Conjunctions

Topic Overview

Key Concepts

What You Need to Demonstrate

Marking Points

Examiner Tips

Common Mistakes

Revision Plan

Exam Question Types

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'aber' and 'sondern'?

Does 'weil' always move the verb to the end of the sentence?

How do I know where to put the comma?

When should I use 'wenn' instead of 'wann'?

Is 'denn' better to use than 'weil' in the exam?

What happens if there are two verbs in a 'weil' clause?

Before You Start

Likely Command Words

Ready to test yourself?

Related Topics in AQA GCSE German

Communication strategies

Communication strategies: Strategies for production

Communication strategies: Strategies for understanding

General vocabulary: Access