ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on how learners can avoid word order errors when building German sentences and utilizes a list of the subordinating conjunctions. It discusses how learners can avoid errors that have to do with word order when linking up main clauses. A basic main clause needs nothing but a subject and a finite verb, but elements can be added as learners go along and nouns can be replaced by pronouns. Adverbs or adverbial phrases give additional information in a sentence. They tell people where things happen or happened, why they do, and how and when. In German, they tend to come in a particular order. In English, there is no particular pattern for this, so long as the subject – verb – object rule is observed. Conjunctions are linking words between two clauses, adding logical connection. There's another group of linking words which add logical connection to sentences: certain adverbs.
