Linking Ideas: deshalb, trotzdem and also
Link two main clauses with deshalb (that is why), trotzdem (nevertheless) and also (so) — adverbs that take position 1 and pull the verb into second place right behind them.
Adverbs that take position 1
You already have two ways to give a reason: weil sends the verb to the end, denn changes nothing. This lesson adds a third family of connectors — adverbs like deshalb, trotzdem and also. They join two main clauses, and they behave differently from both weil and denn: the adverb itself occupies position 1 of the second clause, so the verb comes immediately after it and the subject slides to third place.
Ich war krank, deshalb bin ich zu Hause geblieben. Look at the second clause: deshalb (position 1), bin (position 2, the verb), ich (position 3). This is nothing new — it is the same inversion you use whenever a sentence starts with Morgen or Am Wochenende. The connector simply is the first element.
That is the entire mechanic. What remains is learning what each connector means, and that is where the three words divide the work between them: consequence, contrast and conclusion.
Ich war krank, deshalb bin ich zu Hause geblieben.
I was ill, that is why I stayed at home.
deshalb takes position 1, the verb follows in position 2.
Es regnet, deshalb nehmen wir den Bus.
It is raining, that is why we are taking the bus.
Morgen habe ich frei, also können wir uns treffen.
Tomorrow I am off, so we can meet.
Same inversion after also: verb before subject.
deshalb: the result of a reason
deshalb means "that is why" or "therefore". It points forward to a result: first the reason, then deshalb, then what happened because of it. Der Zug hatte Verspätung, deshalb bin ich zu spät gekommen.
Compare the direction of the logic with weil. weil introduces the reason: Ich bin zu spät gekommen, weil der Zug Verspätung hatte. deshalb introduces the result: Der Zug hatte Verspätung, deshalb bin ich zu spät gekommen. Same facts, opposite order — and a different verb position, because weil is a subordinating conjunction (verb to the end) while deshalb is an adverb (verb right behind it).
You will also hear darum and deswegen; they mean exactly the same and work exactly the same way. Recognise them, but deshalb alone is all you need to produce at A2.
Der Zug hatte Verspätung, deshalb bin ich zu spät gekommen.
The train was delayed, that is why I arrived too late.
Reason first, result after deshalb.
Ich bin zu spät gekommen, weil der Zug Verspätung hatte.
I arrived too late because the train was delayed.
Same facts with weil — the logic runs the other way.
Unsere Wohnung ist sehr klein, deshalb suchen wir eine größere.
Our flat is very small, that is why we are looking for a bigger one.
Comparative from the comparison lesson: eine größere.
trotzdem: the surprise twist
trotzdem means "nevertheless" or "even so". It signals that the second clause happens against the expectation set up by the first: Das Restaurant war teuer, trotzdem war das Essen schlecht. An expensive restaurant should serve good food — trotzdem tells the listener the story takes a turn.
A quick test for choosing between deshalb and trotzdem: ask whether the second clause is the logical result of the first or a surprise despite it. Ich war müde, deshalb bin ich früh ins Bett gegangen — tiredness leads naturally to bed, so deshalb. Ich war müde, trotzdem habe ich bis Mitternacht gearbeitet — working until midnight defies the tiredness, so trotzdem.
English speakers sometimes reach for "trotzdem" when they mean "anyway, let us move on" in conversation. That usage exists in casual speech, but at A2 keep trotzdem for its core job: marking a real contrast between two clauses.
Das Restaurant war teuer, trotzdem war das Essen schlecht.
The restaurant was expensive, nevertheless the food was bad.
Ich war müde, trotzdem habe ich bis Mitternacht gearbeitet.
I was tired, nevertheless I worked until midnight.
The second clause defies the first — that is trotzdem territory.
Es hat geregnet, trotzdem sind wir spazieren gegangen.
It rained, nevertheless we went for a walk.
also — and the whole toolkit in daily life
also means "so" or "therefore" and draws a conclusion: Der Bus kommt nicht, also gehen wir zu Fuß. It overlaps with deshalb, but also sounds more like reasoning out loud — the speaker is concluding, not just reporting a cause. One trap to disarm immediately: German also never means English "also". For "also/too", German uses auch.
These connectors are everywhere in everyday writing. In an excuse to your course leader: Ich bin erkältet, deshalb kann ich heute nicht kommen. In a review: Der Service war langsam, trotzdem gebe ich vier Sterne. In a message about plans: Mein Termin ist abgesagt, also habe ich jetzt Zeit.
A good exercise: take three sentences about your week and link each pair twice — once with weil or denn, once with deshalb, trotzdem or also. Saying the same fact both ways, with the verb moving accordingly, is the fastest route to using these words without thinking.
Der Bus kommt nicht, also gehen wir zu Fuß.
The bus is not coming, so we are walking.
Ich bin erkältet, deshalb kann ich heute nicht zum Kurs kommen.
I have a cold, that is why I cannot come to the course today.
The standard shape of a written excuse.
Der Service war langsam, trotzdem gebe ich vier Sterne.
The service was slow, nevertheless I am giving four stars.
Mein Termin ist abgesagt, also habe ich jetzt Zeit.
My appointment is cancelled, so I have time now.
Check yourself
Quick checks on this lesson. Get at least three quarters right to mark it as completed.
Fill in the gap
Ich war krank, bin ich zu Hause geblieben.
Hint: Staying home is the logical result of being ill — you need the consequence adverb, not the contrast one.