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German Connectors Explained in English – Part 4


German Connectors Explained in English – Part 4

Scientific, Legal, and Highly Formal Connectors (C1–C2)

By Konnektoren | Berlin | 19th December 2025 19:30

At advanced levels of German, especially in academic, scientific, and legal contexts, connectors are used with extreme precision. These connectors help define scope, limitations, logical chains, and formal reasoning. Many of them rarely appear in spoken language but are common in research papers, legal texts, expert opinions, and policy documents.

This part introduces high-register connectors that significantly elevate formal written German.

1. angesichts – in view of / considering

🧠 Meaning

Refers to a fact or situation that must be taken into account.

🧱 Clause Type

  • Prepositional construction (no verb)

🔀 Word Order

  • No verb change

  • Followed by genitive (or dative in modern usage)

🇩🇪 Example

Angesichts der aktuellen Lage sind weitere Maßnahmen notwendig.

🌍 Translation

In view of the current situation, further measures are necessary.

✍️ Usage

  • Formal, official, political language

  • Very common in reports and announcements

2. unter der Voraussetzung, dass – on the condition that

🧠 Meaning

Introduces a strict condition that must be fulfilled.

🧱 Clause Type

  • Nebensatz

🔀 Word Order

  • Verb at the end

🇩🇪 Example

Das Projekt wird genehmigt, unter der Voraussetzung, dass die Kosten reduziert werden.

🌍 Translation

The project will be approved on the condition that costs are reduced.

✍️ Usage

  • Legal, administrative language

  • More explicit than sofern

3. nichtsdestotrotz – nonetheless / nevertheless

🧠 Meaning

Expresses strong concession, despite opposing facts.

🧱 Clause Type

  • Hauptsatz

🔀 Word Order

  • Verb in second position

🇩🇪 Example

Die Studie weist Mängel auf. Nichtsdestotrotz liefert sie wichtige Erkenntnisse.

🌍 Translation

The study has shortcomings. Nonetheless, it provides important insights.

✍️ Usage

  • Very formal

  • Often used in academic evaluation and critique

4. insofern (als dass) – insofar as

🧠 Meaning

Limits or relativizes a statement.

🧱 Clause Type

  • Nebensatz

🔀 Word Order

  • Verb at the end

🇩🇪 Example

Die Theorie ist überzeugend, insofern sie empirisch überprüfbar ist.

🌍 Translation

The theory is convincing insofar as it is empirically verifiable.

✍️ Usage

  • Academic, philosophical texts

  • Used to avoid overgeneralization

5. wieweit / inwieweit – to what extent

🧠 Meaning

Questions or evaluates the degree of validity.

🧱 Clause Type

  • Nebensatz (often indirect questions)

🔀 Word Order

  • Verb at the end

🇩🇪 Example

Es ist unklar, inwieweit die Ergebnisse übertragbar sind.

🌍 Translation

It is unclear to what extent the results are transferable.

✍️ Usage

  • Very common in academic conclusions

  • Signals analytical distance

6. unbeschadet – without prejudice to / irrespective of

🧠 Meaning

States that something applies without affecting another rule or fact.

🧱 Clause Type

  • Prepositional construction

🔀 Word Order

  • No verb change

  • Followed by genitive

🇩🇪 Example

Unbeschadet anderer Regelungen gilt diese Vorschrift weiterhin.

🌍 Translation

Without prejudice to other regulations, this provision remains in force.

✍️ Usage

  • Legal and administrative texts

  • Rare outside official language

7. folglich – accordingly / consequently

🧠 Meaning

Draws a logical conclusion.

🧱 Clause Type

  • Hauptsatz

🔀 Word Order

  • Verb in second position

🇩🇪 Example

Die Daten sind nicht vergleichbar, folglich ist die Auswertung begrenzt.

🌍 Translation

The data is not comparable; accordingly, the analysis is limited.

✍️ Usage

  • Formal but slightly more accessible than mithin

8. unter Zugrundelegung – based on

🧠 Meaning

Defines the methodological basis.

🧱 Clause Type

  • Prepositional phrase

🔀 Word Order

  • No verb change

🇩🇪 Example

Unter Zugrundelegung aktueller Studien ergibt sich ein anderes Bild.

🌍 Translation

Based on current studies, a different picture emerges.

✍️ Usage

  • Scientific and methodological contexts

  • Common in research papers

Summary Table (Part 4)

ConnectorMeaningStructureRegister
angesichtsin view ofprepositionalformal
unter der Voraussetzung, dasson the condition thatNebensatzlegal
nichtsdestotrotznonethelessHauptsatzvery formal
insoferninsofar asNebensatzacademic
inwieweitto what extentNebensatzacademic
unbeschadetwithout prejudiceprepositionallegal
folglichaccordinglyHauptsatzformal
unter Zugrundelegungbased onprepositionalscientific

Final Thought

At C1–C2 level, connectors are no longer optional stylistic tools — they define precision, responsibility, and analytical depth. Correct usage of these connectors signals academic maturity and full command of written German.

A complete, systematized overview of German connectors by register, level, meaning, and syntax is available at:

👉 https://konnektoren.help


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