Doppelkonnektoren – Double connectors in German

Doppelkonnektoren have different functions: enumerations, alternatives, contrasts, and restrictions. They can appear in various positions.

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1. Meaning

Doppelkonnektoren	Meaning		Example
sowohl ... als auch	both	A + B	On the internet you can both read the newspaper and shop.
nicht nur ..., sondern auch	both (the 2nd is emphasized)	A + B	The internet is not only an information medium, but also a communication platform.
weder ... noch	neither	not A, not B	In some countries, neither YouTube nor Wikipedia are available.
entweder ... oder	one of the two	A or B	You can use either a computer or a smartphone.
zwar ..., aber	positive / negative; negative / positive	A 😄 B 😟 or A 😟 B 😄	Surfing the internet is indeed interesting, but it also takes a lot of time.
einerseits ..., andererseits	two aspects	A= 1 aspect B= 1 aspect	The internet is on the one hand a good information medium, on the other hand false information is also spread there.
je ..., desto / je ..., umso	B depends on A, both increase or both decrease	↖A ↖ B or ↘A ↘ B	The longer you surf the internet, the less time you have for other things.
teils ..., teils	a bit of both	a bit A, a bit B	Many people use their smartphone partly for calls, partly for mobile internet access.
Wenn auch ..., so ... dennoch/doch	negative / positive	A 😟 B 😄	Even if German is a difficult language, it is still worth learning.

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2. Function

	Example	Meaning
Enumeration	We not only wrote to each other regularly, but also often called each other.	We wrote to each other regularly. And beyond that we also often called each other.
	I have both tidied up the flat and prepared dinner.	I tidied up the flat. And at the same time I prepared dinner.
	The separation doesn't bother neither my friend nor me.	The separation bothers neither one nor the other.
Alternative	Either we go out to eat or we meet at home.	We go out to eat. Alternatively, we meet at home.
Restriction	Even if Samira often works weekends, she has never regretted choosing the medical profession.	Samira has never regretted choosing the medical profession although she often works weekends.
	Indeed we don't see each other often, but I am sure we will stay friends.	We stay friends even though we don't see each other often.
	The apprentice tries indeed to do everything right, but some tasks are still difficult for her.	She tries, but some tasks are still difficult for her.
Contrast	On the one hand I would like to see Frank again, on the other hand that surely makes no sense.	I would like to see Frank again. But I think that makes no sense.

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3. Position in the sentence

After these connectors, the elements must be of the same type: noun – noun, adjective – adjective, verb – verb.

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a. nicht nur ..., sondern auch

Structure (Main clause + Main clause)
Tom learns not only German, but also (he learns) Spanish.
My boss is not only more tolerant, but also (he is) more helpful.

• There is always a comma before but also.
• The second part can be shortened if the subject and verb are the same.

Shortened structure
(1) Not only my brother, but also my sister studies medicine.	✔️
(2) Not only my brother, but also my sister study medicine.	❌

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b. sowohl ... als auch

Structure
The company produces both computers and smartphones.

Structure
Both my mother and my father comes to my birthday.	✔️
Both my mother and my father come to my birthday.	✔️
My mother and father both come to my birthday.	✔️

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c. weder ... noch

The apple tastes neither fresh nor sweet.
It bothers neither my friend nor (does it bother) me.
It bothers neither my friend nor me.

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d. entweder ... oder

They are going either to Italy or to Spain this year.
Tonight we are either going out to eat or (we) meet at home.

Structure
Either he or I am right.	✔️
Either he is right or I am right.	✔️

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e. zwar ..., aber ...

We indeed don't see each other often, but we stay friends.
Indeed we don't see each other often, but I am sure we stay friends.

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f. einerseits ..., andererseits ...

I would on the one hand like to see Frank again, on the other hand that makes no sense.
On the one hand I like the sea, on the other hand I like to spend holidays in the mountains.

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g. je ..., desto / umso ...

The faster the internet is, the faster you can work.
The more computers are in the network, the slower the internet becomes.
The less money you spend, the more you can save.
The faster a car you drive, the more careful a driver you have to be.

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4. Doppelkonnektor as an answer

Question	Doppelkonnektor as an answer	Meaning
Do you have a son or a daughter?	Both.	I have a son and a daughter.
Did you have a nice holiday?	Partly, partly ...	Partly yes, partly no.
Is German or French his mother tongue?	Neither! His mother tongue is Arabic.	German is not his mother tongue and French isn't either.