The connectors OBWOHL, TROTZDEM and TROTZ often cause difficulty for German learners because they do not know when to use them or where to put them in the sentence. So what is the correct way to use them? Let's find out!!!

1. The conjunction Obwohl (although) goes with a Nebensatz

- Obwohl is used when you want to state a problem, a limitation, or an obstacle to carrying out another action. For example: 

Ich arbeite im Garten, obwohl ich keine Zeit habe. 

I work in the garden although I have no time.

Obwohl ich keine Zeit habe, arbeite ich im Garten. 

Although I have no time, I still work in the garden.

- Obwohl always stands at the beginning of the subordinate clause (Nebensatz). Other synonyms of Obwohl include: OBGLEICH and OBSCHON.

2. The adverb Trotzdem (nevertheless) goes with a Hauptsatz

- Trotzdem is used when you want to say that something still is/will be/was/is being done, even when there is a problem, an obstacle, or a limitation. Example: 

Es regnet heute stark, trotzdem gehe ich spazieren. 

= Es regnet heute stark, ich gehe trotzdem spazieren. 

It is raining heavily today; nevertheless, I will still go for a walk.

- Unlike Obwohl, Trotzdem links two main clauses (Hauptsatz) with each other. Trotzdem can stand either in the first position of the main clause or in position 3, after the verb. A synonym of Trotzdem is DENNOCH. 

!!!A main clause can end with either a comma or a period.

Es regnet heute stark, trotzdem gehe ich spazieren. 

Oder: Es regnet heute stark. Trotzdem gehe ich spazieren. 

3. The preposition Trotz (despite) goes with a noun phrase 

- Trotz has no function of connecting two sentences and also has no fixed position in the sentence. Example: 

Trotz des Regens gehe ich spazieren. 

= Ich gehe trotz des Regens spazieren. 

I go for a walk despite the rain.

- Trotz always goes with the 2nd case, the Genitiv: 

der Regen → Trotz des Regens

die Müdigkeit → Trotz der Müdigkeit