obwohl or trotzdem?
b1Both mark the same contrast but build the sentence differently: obwohl is a conjunction and sends the verb to the end, trotzdem is an adverb and takes position 1, so the verb comes right after it.
obwohl
Introduces a subordinate clause with the finite verb at the very end. The clause may come before or after the main clause.
Obwohl es regnet, gehen wir spazieren.Although it's raining, we're going for a walk.
trotzdem
Links two main clauses. If it stands first, the finite verb follows immediately and the subject only after that.
Es regnet. Trotzdem gehen wir spazieren.It's raining. We're going for a walk anyway.
The mistake
Obwohl es regnet, wir gehen spazieren.
Obwohl es regnet, gehen wir spazieren.
The subordinate clause occupies position 1, so the main clause's verb has to follow immediately, before the subject.
Rule of thumb
obwohl sends the verb to the end, trotzdem pulls it forward. The pair weil and deshalb works in exactly the same way.
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