Konzessivsatz

Konzessivsatz, or Konzessivsatz, is a type of adverbial subordinate clause in German grammar that expresses a concession or contrast to the main clause. It communicates that the situation in the main clause holds despite something stated in the Konzessivsatz, often highlighting a surprising or contrary-to-expectation circumstance.

The Konzessivsatz is usually introduced by concessive conjunctions such as obwohl, obgleich, obschon and wenngleich. Also common is the form auch wenn, which adds emphasis. These clauses function independently as subordinate clauses and can appear before or after the main clause.

In terms of word order, Konzessivsätze follow the general rule for German subordinate clauses: the finite verb typically comes at the end of the clause. If the Konzessivsatz precedes the main clause, a comma is placed before the main clause; if the main clause comes first, the Konzessivsatz is separated by a comma as well. Example: Obgleich es regnet, gehen wir spazieren. Wir gehen spazieren, obwohl es regnet. Auch wenn er müde ist, arbeitet er weiter.

Konzessivsätze are used to express contrast or despite-and-yet-type reasoning, without changing the overall outcome stated in the main clause. They can appear in both formal and informal writing and speech, though more formal or literary styles may employ older or less common concessive forms such as obgleich or wenngleich.