When you are an A1 or A2 learner, your primary goal is simple survival: building basic sentences and connecting them with simple conjunctions like und (and), aber (but), and weil (because).
However, when you step up to the B1 and B2 intermediate levels, the expectations change. You need to express complex thoughts, contrast ideas, make logical arguments, and write structured essays for exams like the Goethe-Zertifikat or Telc.
To do this, you must master Conjunctive Adverbs (Konjunktionaladverbien) — powerful transition words like deshalb, trotzdem, außerdem, and jedoch. You may have also seen these words called “verb kickers” — an informal but useful term, since each one changes exactly where the conjugated verb lands in the sentence.
Here is exactly how these advanced connectors work, the critical word order trap you must avoid, and the essential vocabulary you need to sound like a fluent speaker.
1. The Golden Rule: They Take Position 1 (Not Position 0!)
The number one mistake intermediate learners make with conjunctive adverbs is treating them like basic coordinating conjunctions (und, aber, oder, sondern, denn).
Those basic A1 conjunctions sit in Position 0 outside the sentence structure, meaning the subject still comes first and the verb sits in Position 2:
- Ich bin müde, aber ich gehe ins Kino. (aber = Pos. 0 → ich = Pos. 1 → gehe = Pos. 2)
Conjunctive adverbs are different. Because they are technically adverbs, they act as real sentence members. When you put them at the beginning of a clause, they take up Position 1.
By the unbreakable German grammar law, the conjugated verb must immediately follow in Position 2, pushing the subject to Position 3!
[Conjunctive Adverb (Pos. 1)] + [Conjugated Verb (Pos. 2)] + [Subject (Pos. 3)]
- The Mistake: Ich bin müde, trotzdem ich gehe ins Kino. ❌
- The Fix: Put the verb right behind trotzdem!
- Correct: Ich bin müde, trotzdem gehe ich ins Kino. ✅
(Want to review the mathematical precision behind verb placement? Check out our master guide on German Word Order Made Simple: The Verb-Second Rule.)
2. The “Big 6” B1–B2 Categories You Must Master
To instantly elevate your speaking and writing from beginner to B2 professional, categorize your connectors by their logical function. Here are the most essential conjunctive adverbs you need:
A. Cause & Result (Therefore / That’s why)
Instead of starting every sentence with weil, use these to show the logical consequence of an action:
- deshalb / deswegen / daher: Es regnet stark, deshalb bleibe ich zu Hause. (It is raining hard; therefore, I am staying home.)
B. Contrast & Concession (Nevertheless / However)
Use these when something happens despite an obstacle:
- trotzdem / dennoch: Er ist sehr krank, trotzdem geht er zur Arbeit. (He is very sick; nevertheless, he goes to work.)
- jedoch / allerdings: Das Auto ist schön, jedoch kostet es zu viel. (The car is nice; however, it costs too much.)
C. Addition (Furthermore / Besides)
Perfect for writing B1/B2 exam essays when listing arguments:
- außerdem / zudem: Das Hotel ist günstig, außerdem liegt es direkt am Strand. (The hotel is cheap; furthermore, it is located right on the beach.)
D. Condition (Otherwise / Else)
- sonst: Du musst jetzt gehen, sonst verpasst du den Zug! (You have to leave now, otherwise you will miss the train!)
3. The Upgrade Trap: “Weil vs. Deshalb” & “Obwohl vs. Trotzdem”
As you advance, you will notice that certain basic conjunctions have a “twin” conjunctive adverb that expresses the exact same idea, but requires a completely different word order!
Look at how the sentence structure transforms when you upgrade from a subordinate clause (verb at the end) to a conjunctive adverb (verb in Position 2):
Cause: Because vs. Therefore
- With WEIL (Verb at end): Ich bleibe zu Hause, weil es stark regnet.
- With DESHALB (Verb in Pos. 2): Es regnet stark, deshalb bleibe ich zu Hause.
Contrast: Although vs. Nevertheless
- With OBWOHL (Verb at end): Obwohl er müde ist, lernt er weiter.
- With TROTZDEM (Verb in Pos. 2): Er ist müde, trotzdem lernt er weiter.
4. Quick Reference: How Connectors Affect Your Verb
To prevent brain-freeze during your next German conversation or writing exam, memorize this simple 3-tier hierarchy:
| Connector Type | Example Words | Where does the Verb go? | Practical Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Position 0 Conjunctions (ADUSO) | aber, und, oder, denn, sondern | Normal Position 2 (after subject) | …, aber ich habe Zeit. |
| Conjunctive Adverbs / “Verb Kickers” (B1/B2) | deshalb, trotzdem, außerdem, sonst, jedoch | Immediate Position 2 (before subject!) | …, deshalb habe ich Zeit. |
| Subordinating Conjunctions | weil, obwohl, dass, wenn, nachdem | Sent to the very end of the clause! | …, weil ich Zeit habe. |
5. How to Practice This for B1/B2 Exams
If you are preparing for a German language certificate, examiners actively look for these transition words. To score high marks on your writing module (Schreiben):
- Avoid repetitive simple sentences. Do not write five sentences in a row starting with Ich.
- Use “Außerdem” and “Deshalb” as sentence starters. This automatically forces you into the inverted word order (außerdem habe ich…), proving to the examiner that you have mastered B1/B2 syntax!
FAQ
Is deshalb a verb kicker? Yes, informally. Deshalb doesn’t send the verb all the way to the end, but it does force inversion — the verb jumps to Position 2, immediately after deshalb, ahead of the subject.
Does deshalb send the verb to the end? No — this is a common misconception. Deshalb is a conjunctive adverb, not a subordinating conjunction, so it only pushes the verb to Position 2, not to the end of the clause. Compare: weil (subordinating) sends the verb to the end, but deshalb keeps it right after itself.
Is weil a verb kicker? Yes, and unlike deshalb, weil is a true “end-kicker” — it’s a subordinating conjunction, so it sends the conjugated verb all the way to the end of the clause.
Is trotzdem a verb kicker? Trotzdem works exactly like deshalb: it forces the verb to Position 2, right after trotzdem, not to the end of the clause.
Is jedoch a verb kicker? Yes, jedoch behaves the same way as trotzdem and deshalb — it takes Position 1, and the verb follows immediately in Position 2.
Does außerdem send the verb to the end? No. Außerdem is a conjunctive adverb, so like deshalb and trotzdem, it only pushes the verb to Position 2 — never to the end of the clause.
Is denn a verb kicker? No. Denn is a coordinating conjunction (like und, aber, oder), so it doesn’t move the verb at all — normal Position 2 order continues right after the subject.
Is wenn a subordinating conjunction? Yes. Like weil, obwohl, and dass, wenn sends the conjugated verb to the very end of the clause.
Final Thoughts
Conjunctive adverbs — or “verb kickers,” as many learners call them — are the secret bridge between sounding like a beginner who speaks in short, choppy sentences, and sounding like an articulate speaker who can build logical, persuasive arguments.
Master the Position 1 → Verb Position 2 shift with words like deshalb, trotzdem, and außerdem, and watch your intermediate plateau disappear!
