Connectors: deshalb, trotzdem, also
In German, deshalb, trotzdem, and also link two ideas by showing cause-and-effect, contrast, or a logical conclusion. Knowing these three words lets you build richer sentences right away — and native speakers use them constantly.
The key rule is word order: each connector acts like an adverb that occupies position 1 in its clause, so the verb must come directly after it (verb-second rule). This feels awkward at first, but it follows the same pattern as any other adverb placed at the start of a German clause.
How conjunctional adverbs work
deshalb, trotzdem, and also are called Konjunktionaladverbien — connector-adverbs. Unlike subordinating conjunctions such as weil or obwohl, they do not push the verb to the end. They occupy position 1 and trigger verb-second order: the conjugated verb comes right after, then the subject.
| Structure | Example |
|---|---|
| …, connector + VERB + subject + … | Ich bin müde, deshalb gehe ich schlafen. |
| Connector + VERB + subject + … | Trotzdem fahre ich Fahrrad. |
You can also place them in mid-position (after the finite verb), where word order stays normal:
| Structure | Example |
|---|---|
| Subject + VERB + connector + rest | Ich gehe deshalb früh ins Bett. |
deshalb — therefore / that's why
Use deshalb when the second idea is a consequence of the first.
Cause → deshalb → Result
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Es ist kalt, deshalb trage ich einen Mantel. | It's cold, that's why I'm wearing a coat. |
| Er hat keine Zeit, deshalb kommt er nicht. | He has no time, therefore he isn't coming. |
Synonyms: darum and deswegen mean the same thing and follow the exact same word-order rule.
trotzdem — nevertheless / still / anyway
Use trotzdem when something happens despite an obstacle mentioned in the first clause.
Obstacle → trotzdem → Action happens anyway
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Es regnet, trotzdem gehen wir spazieren. | It's raining; still, we're going for a walk. |
| Das Essen ist teuer, trotzdem bestelle ich es. | The food is expensive; nevertheless, I'm ordering it. |
Tip: Don't confuse trotzdem (adverb, verb-second) with the preposition trotz (+ genitive noun): trotz des Regens = "despite the rain".
also — so / well then / therefore
Use also to draw a logical conclusion or to move on to the next step.
Situation → also → Conclusion / next step
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Wir haben keine Milch, also kaufe ich welche. | We have no milk, so I'll buy some. |
| Also, was machen wir jetzt? | So, what do we do now? |
⚠️ False friend: German also ≠ English also. English "also" (= too / as well) is auch in German.
📖 Examples
Ich bin müde, deshalb gehe ich früh ins Bett.
I'm tired, that's why I'm going to bed early.
Es regnet stark, trotzdem fahren wir mit dem Fahrrad.
It's raining heavily; nevertheless, we're cycling.
Das Wetter ist schön, also gehen wir in den Park.
The weather is nice, so we're going to the park.
Er hat keine Zeit, deshalb schreibt er keine E-Mail.
He has no time, therefore he isn't writing an email.
Sie ist krank, trotzdem kommt sie zur Arbeit.
She is ill; still, she comes to work.
Ich habe Hunger, also koche ich etwas.
I'm hungry, so I'll cook something.
Das Café ist geschlossen, deshalb gehen wir in die Bäckerei.
The café is closed, that's why we're going to the bakery.
Es ist spät, trotzdem sehen wir noch einen Film an.
It's late; still, we're watching another film.
⚠️ Common Mistakes
Ich bin müde, deshalb ich gehe schlafen.Ich bin müde, deshalb gehe ich schlafen.
After deshalb, the verb must come before the subject. deshalb fills position 1, so the conjugated verb takes position 2 and the subject follows — this is the standard verb-second rule.
Er spricht auch Englisch. (intended meaning: 'He speaks English, so…' or 'He therefore speaks English.')Er spricht also Englisch.
German 'also' means 'so / well then / therefore', not 'also / too'. For English 'also' (as well / too), use German 'auch'. They look identical but mean completely different things.
Es regnet. Trotzdem ich bleibe zu Hause.Es regnet. Trotzdem bleibe ich zu Hause.
trotzdem follows the same verb-second rule as deshalb and also. It sits at position 1, so the conjugated verb (bleibe) must come directly after it, before the subject (ich).
Ich bin krank, deshalb dass ich nicht komme.Ich bin krank, deshalb komme ich nicht.
deshalb is not a subordinating conjunction — never add 'dass' after it. The clause that follows deshalb is a normal main clause with verb-second word order, not a subordinate clause.
✏️ Exercises
Test your understanding. Click an option or type your answer, then check.
Which connector expresses a consequence — the second idea is the result of the first?
Choose the grammatically correct sentence.
What is the correct translation of German 'also'?
Das Kino ist ausverkauft, ___ gehen wir ins Theater. (The cinema is sold out, so we go to the theatre.)
Which sentence correctly uses 'trotzdem'?
Wir haben kein Geld mehr. ___ fahren wir nach Hause. (We have no more money. ___, we're going home.)
Ich habe Kopfschmerzen, ___ gehe ich früh schlafen. (therefore)
Das Buch ist sehr lang, ___ lese ich es jeden Abend. (nevertheless — the length doesn't stop the reader)
Es ist schon 23 Uhr, ___ gehen wir jetzt nach Hause. (so / logical conclusion)
Das Restaurant ist sehr voll, ___ warten wir auf einen Tisch. (still / anyway — they wait despite the crowd)