deshalb, trotzdem, and sonst
Connect cause, contrast, and consequence.
The rule
Deshalb gives a consequence, trotzdem a contrast and sonst a consequence if something does not happen. When one starts a clause, the conjugated verb follows immediately.
cause, deshalb + verb + subject · contrast, trotzdem + verb + subject · condition, sonst + verb + subject
These are connective adverbs, not coordinating conjunctions.
deshalb gives a consequence; trotzdem gives an unexpected contrast; sonst gives an alternative consequence.
Because the connector fills position one, the new clause uses inversion.
Core forms and structures
Use this table as a reference, then retrieve the forms without looking.
| Form | Function | German example | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pattern 1 | Deshalb occupies position one; the verb follows. | Es regnet, deshalb nehme ich den Bus. | It is raining, so I take the bus. |
| Pattern 2 | Trotzdem triggers inversion. | Er ist müde, trotzdem arbeitet er weiter. | He is tired; nevertheless, he keeps working. |
| Pattern 3 | Sonst occupies position one. | Beeil dich, sonst verpasst du den Zug. | Hurry, otherwise you will miss the train. |
| Pattern 4 | The finite verb follows Deshalb immediately. | Der Kurs ist voll. Deshalb suche ich einen anderen. | The course is full. Therefore I am looking for another one. |
| Pattern 5 | The auxiliary is the finite verb and follows trotzdem. | Sie hatte wenig Zeit, trotzdem hat sie geholfen. | She had little time, yet she helped. |
German examples with English meanings
Es regnet, deshalb nehme ich den Bus.
It is raining, so I take the bus.
Deshalb occupies position one; the verb follows.
Er ist müde, trotzdem arbeitet er weiter.
He is tired; nevertheless, he keeps working.
Trotzdem triggers inversion.
Beeil dich, sonst verpasst du den Zug.
Hurry, otherwise you will miss the train.
Sonst occupies position one.
Der Kurs ist voll. Deshalb suche ich einen anderen.
The course is full. Therefore I am looking for another one.
The finite verb follows Deshalb immediately.
Sie hatte wenig Zeit, trotzdem hat sie geholfen.
She had little time, yet she helped.
The auxiliary is the finite verb and follows trotzdem.
Common mistakes
Incorrect: Es regnet, deshalb ich nehme den Bus.
Correct: Es regnet, deshalb nehme ich den Bus.
Deshalb occupies position one; the verb follows.
Incorrect: Er ist müde, trotzdem er arbeitet weiter.
Correct: Er ist müde, trotzdem arbeitet er weiter.
Trotzdem triggers inversion.
Incorrect: Beeil dich, sonst du verpasst den Zug.
Correct: Beeil dich, sonst verpasst du den Zug.
Sonst occupies position one.
Incorrect: Deshalb ich suche einen anderen.
Correct: Der Kurs ist voll. Deshalb suche ich einen anderen.
The finite verb follows Deshalb immediately.
Incorrect: Sie hatte wenig Zeit, trotzdem sie hat geholfen.
Correct: Sie hatte wenig Zeit, trotzdem hat sie geholfen.
The auxiliary is the finite verb and follows trotzdem.
Details and useful distinctions
Use punctuation to separate the independent clauses clearly.
Practise this grammar
Treat each connector as position one and place the finite verb directly after it: deshalb nehme, trotzdem arbeitet, sonst verpasst.
Open deshalb, trotzdem, and sonst exercises →
For source references and editorial level notes, see the grammar reference. You can report a correction if an explanation or example seems wrong.