B1 → Grammar · Lesson 4 of 23

More German Subordinating Conjunctions: Obwohl, Während, Bevor, Nachdem

weitere Konjunktionen

Before this lesson: make sure you've covered Connecting Adverbs first.

You already know weil, dass, and wenn send the verb to the end of their clause. B1 adds several more subordinating conjunctions that work exactly the same way — obwohl (although), während (while), bevor (before), nachdem (after), damit (so that), and falls (in case).

Types you should know

obwohl

although — contrast

während

while — simultaneous or contrast

bevor

before

nachdem

after

damit

so that — purpose

falls

in case, if

See it in action

German	English
Obwohl es regnet, gehen wir spazieren.	Although it's raining, we're going for a walk.
Ich koche, während du den Tisch deckst.	I'll cook while you set the table.
Bevor ich schlafen gehe, lese ich noch.	Before I go to sleep, I still read.
Nachdem ich gegessen hatte, bin ich spazieren gegangen.	After I had eaten, I went for a walk.
Ich lerne Deutsch, damit ich in Deutschland arbeiten kann.	I'm learning German so that I can work in Germany.
Falls es regnet, bleiben wir zu Hause.	In case it rains, we'll stay home.

Memory trick: Same old rule, more words: whenever you see weil, dass, wenn, obwohl, während, bevor, nachdem, damit, or falls, the conjugated verb goes to the end of that clause.

⚠ Common mistake: Don't confuse "damit" (so that, purpose) with "dass" (that) — "damit" explains WHY you do something, "dass" just introduces a fact: "Ich sage, dass ich müde bin" vs "Ich gehe früh, damit ich nicht müde bin."

🎯 Quick check

Which word means 'after' (used to connect two clauses)?

More German Subordinating Conjunctions: Obwohl, Während, Bevor, Nachdem

Types you should know

See it in action

🎯 Quick check

Related topics