Coordinating conjunctions
Connect clauses with und, aber, oder, and denn.
The rule
Und, aber, oder and denn connect equal parts. Between full clauses, they do not occupy the first position: each clause keeps its own normal word order.
clause + und/aber/oder/denn + subject + finite verb + …
A coordinating conjunction connects elements of equal grammatical status. When it joins two full clauses, each clause keeps normal main-clause word order.
und and oder can connect single words without repeating the entire sentence. aber and denn often connect full ideas and require a clear logical relationship.
The conjunction occupies position zero: it does not count as the first sentence element. After it, a subject can stand first and the conjugated verb remains second.
Core forms and structures
Use this table as a reference, then retrieve the forms without looking.
| Form | Function | German example | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| und | addition | Ich lerne und arbeite. | I study and work. |
| aber | contrast | Er kommt, aber er bleibt nicht. | He comes, but he does not stay. |
| oder | alternative | Tee oder Kaffee? | Tea or coffee? |
| denn | reason | Ich gehe, denn ich bin müde. | I am leaving because I am tired. |
German examples with English meanings
Mia lernt Deutsch und Tom lernt Englisch.
Mia studies German and Tom studies English.
Each full clause keeps subject–verb order after und.
Ich bin müde, aber ich arbeite noch.
I am tired, but I am still working.
Aber is position zero; the second clause remains ich arbeite.
Möchtest du Tee oder Kaffee?
Would you like tea or coffee?
Oder presents alternatives.
Wir bleiben zu Hause, denn es regnet.
We are staying home because it is raining.
Denn introduces a reason with normal main-clause order.
Er kocht und hört Musik.
He cooks and listens to music.
A shared subject does not need to be repeated.
Der Film ist lang, aber interessant.
The film is long but interesting.
Kommst du heute oder bleibst du zu Hause?
Are you coming today or staying at home?
Ich nehme den Bus, denn mein Auto ist kaputt.
I am taking the bus because my car is broken.
Sie spricht langsam und deutlich.
She speaks slowly and clearly.
Wir wollen kommen, aber wir müssen arbeiten.
We want to come, but we have to work.
Common mistakes
Incorrect: Der Film ist lang, denn interessant.
Correct: Der Film ist lang, aber interessant.
Aber can contrast adjectives inside one clause.
Incorrect: Kommst du heute oder du bleibst zu Hause?
Correct: Kommst du heute oder bleibst du zu Hause?
Two coordinated questions retain question word order.
Incorrect: Ich nehme den Bus, denn ist mein Auto kaputt.
Correct: Ich nehme den Bus, denn mein Auto ist kaputt.
The reason clause after denn has subject then verb.
Incorrect: Sie spricht langsam oder deutlich.
Correct: Sie spricht langsam und deutlich.
Und combines two compatible manner descriptions.
Incorrect: Wir wollen kommen, aber müssen wir arbeiten.
Correct: Wir wollen kommen, aber wir müssen arbeiten.
The second modal remains in position two after its subject.
Details and useful distinctions
Use denn for a reason with main-clause order. This contrasts with weil, introduced at A2, which sends the finite verb to the end.
Practise this grammar
Treat und, aber, oder, and denn as position zero. Start a new normal main clause after them unless the subject is deliberately shared.
Open Coordinating conjunctions exercises →
For source references and editorial level notes, see the grammar reference. You can report a correction if an explanation or example seems wrong.