Introduction: Connecting Ideas with Precision

While B1 covered common conjunctions, B2 introduces more sophisticated connectors and discourse markers. These words and phrases are crucial for structuring arguments, showing complex relationships between ideas (contrast, cause, consequence, addition), and achieving a more formal and nuanced writing style, typical of B2 level proficiency.

Discourse markers (signaalwoorden) help guide the reader or listener through the text, indicating the flow and relationship of information.

Categories and Examples

Here are some key advanced conjunctions and discourse markers, categorized by function:

1. Cause and Reason (Oorzaak en Reden):

• aangezien (since, seeing that - often starts the sentence, subordinate conjunction)
• Aangezien het regent, blijven we binnen. (Since it's raining, we're staying inside.)
• immers (after all, because - often used mid-sentence or as an explanation, doesn't change word order like a conjunction)
• We moeten nu gaan; het wordt immers laat. (We have to go now; after all, it's getting late.)
• namelijk (namely, because - introduces an explanation, often follows a semicolon or starts a new sentence; doesn't change word order)
• Hij is moe; hij heeft namelijk slecht geslapen. (He is tired; because he slept badly.)
• vanwege, wegens (due to, because of - prepositions followed by a noun)
• Vanwege de storm is de vlucht geannuleerd. (Due to the storm, the flight is cancelled.)

1. Consequence and Result (Gevolg):

• daardoor (because of that, as a result - adverb, causes inversion if starting the clause)
• Het vroor hard; daardoor waren de wegen glad. (It froze hard; as a result, the roads were slippery.)
• zodoende (thus, in that way - adverb, causes inversion)
• Hij studeerde efficiënt en zodoende had hij tijd voor hobby's. (He studied efficiently and thus had time for hobbies.)
• vandaar (hence, that's why - adverb, causes inversion)
• Ze was ziek, vandaar dat ze niet kwam. (She was ill, hence why she didn't come.)
• met als gevolg dat... (with the result that... - introduces subordinate clause)
• De staking breidde zich uit, met als gevolg dat het openbaar vervoer platlag. (The strike expanded, with the result that public transport was shut down.)

1. Contrast and Concession (Tegenstelling en Toegeving):

• echter (however - adverb, causes inversion if starting the clause, often placed after the verb)
• Het is mooi weer, echter, ik moet werken. / Het is mooi weer, ik moet echter werken. (The weather is nice, however, I have to work.)
• toch (yet, nevertheless, still - adverb, can cause inversion)
• Hij was ziek, toch ging hij naar zijn werk. (He was ill, yet he went to work.)
• desalniettemin (nevertheless, nonetheless - formal adverb, causes inversion)
• De risico's waren bekend; desalniettemin ging het project door. (The risks were known; nevertheless, the project continued.)
• enerzijds ... anderzijds (on the one hand ... on the other hand - parallel structure, causes inversion in the second part)
• Enerzijds wil ik op vakantie, anderzijds wil ik geld sparen. (On the one hand I want to go on holiday, on the other hand I want to save money.)
• terwijl (while, whereas - subordinate conjunction expressing contrast)
• Ik hou van de zomer, terwijl mijn broer de winter prefereert. (I love summer, whereas my brother prefers winter.)
• hoewel, ofschoon (although, even though - subordinate conjunctions, ofschoon is more formal)
• Hoewel het regende, maakten we een wandeling. (Although it was raining, we took a walk.)

1. Addition and Enumeration (Opsomming en Toevoeging):

• bovendien (moreover, furthermore - adverb, causes inversion)
• De film was spannend; bovendien waren de acteurs geweldig. (The movie was exciting; moreover, the actors were great.)
• tevens (also, as well - formal adverb, causes inversion)
• Hij is directeur en tevens voorzitter van de raad. (He is director and also chairman of the board.)
• eveneens (likewise, also - formal adverb, causes inversion)
• Zij sprak vloeiend Frans en eveneens Duits. (She spoke fluent French and likewise German.)
• ten eerste, ten tweede, ten slotte (firstly, secondly, finally - adverbs for structuring)

1. Condition (Voorwaarde):

• mits (provided that - formal subordinate conjunction)
• U krijgt korting, mits u direct betaalt. (You will receive a discount, provided that you pay immediately.)
• tenzij (unless - subordinate conjunction)
• We gaan picknicken, tenzij het regent. (We are going for a picnic, unless it rains.)

Placement and Word Order

• Subordinate Conjunctions (aangezien, terwijl, hoewel, mits, tenzij, zodat etc.) introduce a subordinate clause, meaning the conjugated verb moves to the end of that clause.
• Adverbs/Discourse Markers (echter, desalniettemin, bovendien, daarom, immers, namelijk, zodoende, etc.) are adverbs. If they start a main clause (or follow the initial part of a main clause like enerzijds), they typically cause inversion (Verb-Subject order). Immers and namelijk are common exceptions that often don't cause inversion.

Using advanced conjunctions and discourse markers correctly elevates your Dutch significantly. They allow for more precise connections between ideas, better-structured arguments, and a more formal or academic tone when needed. Pay close attention to their specific meaning, grammatical function (conjunction vs. adverb), and impact on word order. Incorporate them gradually into your writing and speaking to enhance clarity and sophistication.