Concessive clause with 'obwohl' (although)
Konzessivsatz mit 'obwohl'
'obwohl' (although) introduces a concession: something happens against expectation.
Structure
obwohl + Subjekt ... Verb (Endstellung) - unerwarteter Gegensatz
obwohl + subject ... verb (final position) - unexpected contrast
Details
- Part of Speech
- Conjunction
- Register
- Standard
Explanation
What it is. obwohl (although) introduces a concessive clause: it names a fact that runs against the expectation in the . Something happens even though a reason against it exists.
How it is formed. obwohl is a subordinating conjunction, so it sends the to the end of the clause:
- obwohl + + ... + (Ende).
Examples.
- Obwohl es stark regnet, gehen wir spazieren. - Although it is raining hard, we are going for a walk.
- Er ging zur Arbeit, obwohl er krank war. - He went to work although he was ill.
- Obwohl sie viel lernt, hat sie Angst vor der Prüfung. - Although she studies a lot, she is afraid of the exam.
Common mistakes. Don't mix up obwohl (subordinating , to the end) with trotzdem (an in a , which causes inversion): Es regnet. Trotzdem gehen wir spazieren. You cannot say obwohl gehen wir - after obwohl the is last.
About Concessive clause with 'obwohl' (although)
'obwohl' (although) introduces a concession: something happens against expectation.
'obwohl' connects a fact that runs counter to the expectation in the . As a subordinating it sends the to the end of the clause.
'Obwohl' leitet einen konzessiven ein (Gegensatz zur Erwartung).
Caution
'obwohl' is a subordinating conjunction (verb to the end); 'trotzdem' is an adverb that causes inversion in a main clause. Don't mix the two patterns.