Main Clauses with Conjunctive Adverbs (Konjunktionaladverbien)

1. Definition

• A conjunctive adverb (Konjunktionaladverb) is an adverb that **links two independent main clauses** (Hauptsätze) by meaning, not by grammar.
• Common examples: deshalb, deswegen, daher, darum, allerdings.
• The second clause is a main clause but starts with the adverb, causing **inversion** (verb comes immediately after the adverb).

Example: Die Leute lassen ihr Auto jetzt stehen, deshalb hat sich viel verändert. (People are leaving their car now; therefore, a lot has changed.)

2. Structure

[Main clause 1] + , + [Conjunctive adverb + Verb + Subject + ...]

Example:

• Es regnet. Deshalb gehen wir nicht spazieren.

(It is raining. Therefore, we are not going for a walk.)

• Ich habe viel gearbeitet, deswegen bin ich müde.

(I have worked a lot; that’s why I am tired.)

3. Word Order

• Conjunctive adverbs always cause **inversion** in the second main clause: the **finite verb comes directly after the adverb**.
• This is different from coordinating conjunctions (und, oder, aber, denn, sondern) where the verb stays in the normal second position.

Example:

• Coordinating conjunction: Es regnet, und wir bleiben zu Hause.

(The verb stays after the subject.)

• Conjunctive adverb: Es regnet. Deshalb bleiben wir zu Hause.

(The verb comes immediately after "deshalb".)

4. Usage

• Conjunctive adverbs show a **logical or causal relationship** between two main clauses (cause → consequence, contrast, or explanation).
• Common in both spoken and written German.

Examples:

• Ich hatte kein Geld. Deshalb kaufte ich nichts.

(I had no money. Therefore, I bought nothing.)

• Er war krank. Daher konnte er nicht kommen.

(He was sick. Therefore, he could not come.)

5. Summary

• Two independent main clauses are linked **semantically** using a conjunctive adverb.
• The second clause always uses **inversion** (verb after adverb).
• Different from coordinating conjunctions, which do **not** change word order.

Created: 31 Aug 2025

Last Update: