Conjunctions are little words that join up bits of sentences. a) The following conjunctions do not change the word order: und and aber but denn for, because oder or sondern but (after a negative) For example: Ich gehe ins Restaurant und ich esse einen Kuchen. b) Some conjunctions affect the word order. After these conjunctions, the verb goes to the end of the sentence. For example: Now look carefully at the word order if you start the sentence with one of these conjunctions. This is how you would put these two sentences together: Die Sonne scheint. Ich fahre mit dem Rad. In the first part of the sentence (clause), the verb must go to the end: At the beginning of the second part of the sentence (clause), the verb must come next and you must turn it around (invert it): These are the conjunctions that have this effect on the verb: wenn if, when nachdem after damit so that bevor before bis until als when (past tense) dass that ob whether obwohl although weil because wä hrend while c) Separable verbs after a conjunction. After a conjunction, the two parts of the verb join up again at the end of a clause or sentence. For example: /**/d) Modal verbs after a conjunction. After a conjunction, the modal verb goes to the end of the clause after the infinitive. Normal word order: Ich kann nicht fahren. After weil: Weil ich nicht fahren kann.