Ch 10, Sparks And Vail German Grammar

Front 1

denn - because, since, for (causal): I'm not coming today because I have to work.

Back 1

Ich komme heute nicht, denn ich muss arbeiten. [Note: coordinating conjunctions do *not* affect word order.]

Front 2

oder - or: Shall I go shopping or are you going?

Back 2

Soll ich einkaufen gehen order gehst du? [Note: although commas are usually used between clauses joined by conjunctions, und and order are an exception]

Front 3

und - and: I opened the door and there he stood.

Back 3

Ich machte die Tu:r auf und da stand er. [Note: although commas are usually used between clauses joined by conjunctions, und and order are an exception]

Front 4

aber - but, however: I looked for him but I couldn't find him.

Back 4

I suchte ihn, aber ich konnte ihn nicht finden.

Front 5

sondern - but, rather, on the contrary: I'm not coming to your place but [rather] you're coming to mine.

Back 5

Ich komme nicht zu dir, sondern du kommst zu mir.

Front 6

als - when (a point in past time, or a period of past time): When I came by at two o'clock ...; When I lived in Munich, ....

Back 6

Als ich um zwei Uhr vorbeikam, ...; Als ich in Mu:nchen wohnte .... [Note 1: In clauses introduced by subordinating conjunctions, the conjugated verb is forced to the end of the clause. Note 2: Als is used almost exclusively with the past or past perfect tenses (it is rarely used with the present perfect).]

Front 7

wenn - when, whenever: When he arrives ...; When(ever) he is in Munich ....

Back 7

Wenn er ankommt...; Wenn er in Mu:nchen ist, .... [Note 1: wenn can mean "when" in clauses that refer to present or future time. Note 2: "wann" is a question word that can also introduce subordinate clauses, e.g. Ich weiss nicht, wann er kommt.]

Front 8

wenn - if (in the sense of in the event that): If [in the event that] he comes, I'll give it to him.

Back 8

Wenn er kommt, gebe ich es ihm.

Front 9

ob - if (in the sense of whether): I don't know if [whether] he's coming today.

Back 9

Ich weiss nicht, ob er heute kommt.

Front 10

nachdem - after: I'll come to your place after I've eaten.

Back 10

Ich komme zu dir, nachdem ich gegessen habe. [Note 1: Nach is a preposition that introduces prepositional phrases (not subordinate clauses). Note 2: Nachher is an adverb of time (like heute, morgen, etc.) not a subordinating conjunction.]

Front 11

bevor - before: Before he left he gave me the key. [use past]

Back 11

Bevor er wegging, gab er mir den Schlu:ssel. [Note 1: vor is a preposition meaning before or ago, not a subordinating conjunction. Note 2: Vorher is an adverb of time.]

Front 12

seitdem - since (referring to a period of time): Since he has been working less, he looks much better.

Back 12

Seitdem er weniger arbeitet, sieht er viel besser aus. [Note 1: when since refers to an ongoing action, German uses seitdem + persent tense (as in the example). Note 2: When since refers to a one-time past action, German uses: seitdem + present perfect, not simple past (e.g. Seitdem sie zuruckgekommen ist ...). Note 3: seitdem is also an adverb of time meaning since then (e.g. Seitdem sieht er besser aus - since then he's been looking better. Note 4: Seit is a preposition used in time expressions (e.g. seit zwei Wochen - for two weeks).]

Front 13

weil - because, since (indicates strong causal connection): I couldn't go shopping because I didn't have any money.

Back 13

Ich konnte nicht einkaufen gehen, weil ich kein Geld hatte.

Front 14

da - since, because (indicates a less strong - or no strict - causal connection): Since I still had ten minutes, I drank another cup of coffee.

Back 14

Da ich noch zehn Minuten hatte, trank ich noch eine Tasse Kaffee.

Front 15

solange - as long as (referring to a period of time): We'll stay as long as you want.

Back 15

Wir bleiben, solange du willst.

Front 16

sobald - as soon as (referring to a point in time): We'll go as soon as you're ready.

Back 16

Wir gehen, sobald du fertig bist.

Front 17

sooft - as often as, every time (that) referring to a series of occurrences: Every time I think of it I get mad.

Back 17

Sooft ich daran denke, werde ich irre.

Front 18

dass - that: He showed us that he could do it.

Back 18

Er zeigte uns, dass er es konnte.

Front 19

bis - until: Wait until I get back.

Back 19

Warten Sie, bis ich zuru:ckkomme. [Note: bis is also a preposition.]

Front 20

damit - so that: I'll tell you again so that you don't forget it.

Back 20

Ich sage es dir nochmal, damit du es nicht vergisst.

Front 21

obwohl - although, even though: Although it's a good restaurant, it's not very expensive.

Back 21

Obwohl es ein gutes Restaurant ist, ist es nicht sehr teuer.

Front 22

während - while: While you were in Berlin, a package arrived for you.

Back 22

Während Sie in Berlin waren, kam ein Paket für Sie an. (Note: während is also a preposition meaning during.)

Front 23

indem - by (do)ing something: I save a lot of money by eating in the Mensa.

Back 23

Ich spare viel Geld, indem ich in der Mensa esse.

Front 24

auch wenn - even if or even though: I'm going to buy it even though it's expensive.

Back 24

Ich kaufe es, auch wenn es teuer ist.

Front 25

Indirect questions can also function as subordinating conjunctions. The clauses they introduce are called indirect questions: Do you know what her name is? [i.e. Do you know what she is called?]

Back 25

Weisst du, wie sie heisst?

Front 26

Note: when a double infinitive construction is present, the conjugated verb in a subordinate clause immediately *precedes* the two infinitives: He said that he hasn't been able to repair the car.

Back 26

Er sagte, dass er den Wagen nicht hat reparieren ko:nnen. [Note: the same rule applies to double infinitives in the future tense: Ich glaube, dass ich es werde machen mu:ssen.]