German Grammar A–Z
Look up German grammar topics A–Z, organized by category and level — with clear explanations and examples.
ADUSO: Which Conjunctions Are They?
When learning about sentence structure in German at levels A2-B1, especially sentences with 2 or more clauses, we come across the term ADUSO. But many learners do not understand what it is and how to use these words. Let Vogel answer this question for you!
1) What exactly is ADUSO?
- ADUSO is actually an abbreviation formed from the first letters of 5 types of conjunctions grouped together into one phrase:
A: aber (but)
D: denn (because)
U: und (and)
S: sondern (but rather)
O: oder (or)
2) Why is there the term ADUSO?
- Looking back at the 5 conjunctions above, we can see that what they have in common is that they are all conjunctions that connect clauses. And what follows these conjunctions are clauses with the normal structure:
S (subject) + V (verb) + …
Therefore the phrase ADUSO was formed to help us more easily remember the conjunctions that connect clauses in which the word order does not change (that is, the verb stays in the 2nd position).
3) Semantic function of the conjunctions in the ADUSO group
|
aber (but) connects clauses of contrast |
Ich möchte ins Kino gehen, habe aber keine Zeit. (I would like to go to the cinema but I have no time.) |
|
denn (because) connects clauses expressing cause and effect |
Ich bin nicht zur Schule gegangen denn ich war krank. (I did not go to school because I was sick.) |
|
und (and) connects clauses with an additive meaning |
Anna kann singen und sie kann Klavier spielen. (Anna can sing and she can play the piano.) |
|
sondern (but rather) connects clauses of contrast |
Er ist nicht gut in Mathe, sondern er ist gut in Literatur. (He is not good at math, but rather good at literature.) |
|
oder (or) connects 2 clauses expressing a choice |
Sie können gehen ins Kino oder Sie bleiben zu Hause. (You can go to the cinema or you can stay at home.) |
