Hayford Amedji-dela Anyidoho

Understanding German word order is fundamental for fluency. This guide explains key sentence structure principles and details for each example to help you grasp the logic behind the rules.

1. The Verb in Second Position

In German main clauses, the finite verb (the conjugated verb) must always appear in the second position, no matter what begins the sentence. This is the cornerstone of German grammar.
Examples and Explanation:

1.1 Er arbeitet bei Siemens in Berlin.
(He works at Siemens in Berlin.)

Er (subject) comes first, followed by arbeitet (verb) in the second position. The rest of the sentence provides additional information: “bei Siemens in Berlin” (where he works).

1.2 Die Kinder schlafen immer sehr lange in den Ferien.
(The children always sleep for a long time during the holidays.)

Die Kinder (subject) is followed by schlafen (verb). The rest of the sentence includes immer sehr lange (time: how long) and in den Ferien (time: when).

1.3 Wir fahren nächste Woche mit meinen Eltern nach Italien.
(Next week, we are traveling to Italy with my parents.)

Wir (subject) is followed by fahren (verb), and the rest describes nächste Woche (time: when), mit meinen Eltern (manner: with whom), and nach Italien (place: where).

2. Subject–Verb Inversion

If the sentence starts with any element other than the subject (e.g., time or place), the subject moves to after the verb.

Examples and Explanation:

2.1 In den Ferien schlafen die Kinder lange.
(During the holidays, the children sleep a lot.)

In den Ferien (time: during the holidays) is in the first position for emphasis, so schlafen (verb) moves to the second position, followed by die Kinder (subject).

2.2 Mit meinen Eltern fahren wir nächste Woche nach Italien.
(With my parents, we are going to Italy next week.)

Mit meinen Eltern (manner: with whom) starts the sentence, pushing fahren (verb) to the second position, with wir (subject) following.

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3. Subordinate Clauses: Verb Goes Last
Subordinate clauses are introduced by conjunctions like weil (because) or dass (that). In these clauses, the finite verb is placed at the end of the clause.

Examples and Explanation:
1. Ich rufe dich an, wenn ich fertig bin.
(I’ll call you when I’m ready.)

In the main clause, rufe (verb) follows ich (subject). In the subordinate clause introduced by wenn (when), the verb bin (am) goes to the end.

2. Ich habe gesagt, dass er ein Idiot ist.
(I said that he is an idiot.)

The main clause follows normal word order (Ich habe gesagt = “I said”). In the subordinate clause introduced by dass (that), ist (is) moves to the end.
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4. Multiple Verbs in Subordinate Clauses:
When there are two verbs in a subordinate clause (e.g., modal verbs or compound tenses), they form a verb stack at the end of the clause.

4.1 Ich muss jetzt nach Hause gehen, weil ich es meinem Freund versprochen habe.
(I must go home now because I promised it to my friend.)

Weil (because) introduces the subordinate clause, moving habe (finite verb) to the end. Versprochen (past participle) comes before habe, creating the verb stack.

4.2 Wir konnten dich nicht besuchen, weil wir nach Italien gefahren sind.
(We couldn’t visit you because we traveled to Italy.)
The subordinate clause introduced by weil ends with a stack: gefahren sind (traveled are).
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5. Starting Sentences with Subordinate Clauses
When a subordinate clause starts a sentence, it is followed by a comma, and the verb of the main clause immediately follows.

Examples and Explanation:
5.1 Weil es heute regnet, bleibe ich zu Hause.
(Because it’s raining today, I’ll stay home.)

The subordinate clause (weil es heute regnet) ends with regnet (rains). The main clause begins immediately after the comma, with bleibe (verb) in second position.

5.2 Obwohl sein Vater Deutscher ist, spricht er kein Deutsch.
(Although his father is German, he doesn’t speak German.)

In the subordinate clause (obwohl sein Vater Deutscher ist), ist (is) moves to the end. The main clause starts with spricht (verb) directly after the comma.
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6. The Time–Manner–Place Rule
German sentences follow a Time → Manner → Place order when describing events. This order ensures clarity when multiple elements appear after the verb.
Examples and Explanation:

6.1. Ich fahre am Wochenende mit dem Bus nach Paris.
(I’m traveling to Paris by bus on the weekend.)

Am Wochenende (time: when), mit dem Bus (manner: how), and nach Paris (place: where) follow the proper order.

6.2 Peter kauft nach der Arbeit noch schnell im Supermarkt ein.
(Peter quickly does the shopping at the supermarket after work.)

Nach der Arbeit (time: when), noch schnell (manner: how), and im Supermarkt (place: where) are in the correct sequence.
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7. Yes/No Questions and Imperatives
In yes/no questions and imperative sentences, the finite verb occupies the first position.
Examples and Explanation:

7.1 Kommst du morgen mit ins Kino?
(Are you coming to the cinema tomorrow?)
The question starts with kommst (verb), followed by du (subject) and the rest of the sentence.

7.2 Kaufst du mir ein Eis?
(Will you buy me an ice cream?)
Kaufst (verb) comes first, followed by du (subject) and the rest of the sentence.

7.3 Gib mir bitte das Buch!
(Please give me the book!)
Gib (imperative verb) comes first, followed by the object mir (me).

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8. The Satzklammer (Sentence Bracket)
In sentences with compound tenses, modal verbs, or separable verbs, the finite verb appears in the second position, while additional parts move to the end, creating a “sentence bracket.”

Examples and Explanation:
8.1 Ich muss jetzt unbedingt Jens anrufen.
(I absolutely have to call Jens now.)

Muss (finite verb) is in the second position, and anrufen (to call) is sent to the end.

8.2 Die Kinder sehen in den Ferien lange fern.
(The children watch TV for a long time during the holidays.)
Sehen (finite verb) is in the second position, while fern (the separable prefix) is placed at the end.

8.3 Gestern sind wir ins Kino gegangen.
(Yesterday, we went to the cinema.)
Sind (finite verb) is in the second position, and gegangen (past participle) is at the end.






Happy Learning!