Konzessivsätze
Konzessivsätze — for English Speakers
Introduction
Beyond B1's 'obwohl', C1 German uses refined concessive forms: 'trotzdem' (despite that), 'dennoch' (nevertheless), 'wenn auch' (even if/though), 'sei es auch noch so' (however much). English has parallel formal words (nevertheless, notwithstanding, even though). These structures add nuance and register variety to your writing. The key is knowing which ones are adverbial (trigger inversion) vs subordinating (verb-final).
German vs English
In German
Trotzdem er krank war, kam er. / Er kam trotzdem.
In English
Despite being sick, he came. / He came anyway.
Key Difference
Trotzdem as conjunction (verb-final) or adverb (inversion) — English uses 'despite' or 'anyway'.
In German
Wenn auch spät, kam er doch.
In English
Even though late, he still came.
Key Difference
Wenn auch = even though. German adds 'doch' for emphasis; English adds 'still'.
Common Mistakes for English Speakers
Trotzdem es regnete, er ging spazieren.
Forgetting inversion in the main clause after the concessive clause.
Using 'obwohl' in every concessive context at C1.
C1 expects range — using only obwohl sounds monotone and limits your expressive toolkit.
Practice Examples
Wenn auch unter Schwierigkeiten, wurde das Projekt abgeschlossen.
Even though with difficulties, the project was completed.
Er war erschöpft. Dennoch machte er weiter.
He was exhausted. Nevertheless, he continued.
Trotz aller Widerstände hat sie es geschafft.
Despite all resistance, she made it.
Memory Tip
C1 concession toolkit: OBWOHL (basic), TROTZDEM (versatile), DENNOCH (literary), WENN AUCH (formal), DOCH (emphasis add-on).
View Grammar Rule
Konzessivsätze
Konzessivsätze — C1
Practice Exercises
Konzessivsätze Übungen
8 exercises
Other Languages
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