German syntax follows specific rules that determine the order of words in a sentence. The most important principle is that the verb always occupies a fixed position: the first verb is typically in the second position in main clauses, and at the end in subordinate clauses. The subject usually precedes the verb, and the object follows it. Time, manner, and place phrases have a preferred order: time first, then manner, then place. These rules help create clear and grammatically correct sentences in German.
Verb Position
The finite verb appears in the second position in main clauses:
- Ich gehe heute ins Kino.
- Heute gehen wir ins Kino.
In subordinate clauses introduced by a conjunction like weil, the verb moves to the end:
- Ich bleibe zu Hause, weil ich müde bin.
- Sie arbeiten hart, weil sie Erfolg haben wollen.
In yes/no questions and imperative sentences, the verb moves to the first position:
- Kommst du morgen?
- Fahr vorsichtig!
Modal verbs and separable prefixes cause the infinitive or past participle to move to the end:
- Ich möchte schlafen.
- Er steht früh auf.
- Wir haben das Buch gelesen.
Subject and Object Order
The subject usually comes before the verb, and the object follows the verb:
- Der Hund (Subject) jagt (Verb) die Katze (Object).
- Ich (Subject) sehe (Verb) den Garten (Object).
If there are two objects (accusative and dative), the dative object comes first:
- Ich gebe dem Mann (Dativ) den Brief (Akkusativ).
- Sie schickt der Freundin (Dativ) eine Postkarte (Akkusativ).
Objects can sometimes be moved for emphasis, but the verb must remain in its fixed position:
- Den Kuchen (Object) isst der Junge (Subject).
- Dem Kind (Dativ) erzählt die Mutter (Subject) eine Geschichte (Akkusativ).
Time, Manner, Place
When using multiple adverbial phrases, the typical order is: time → manner → place.
- Ich komme heute (time) gern (manner) nach Hause (place).
- Sie fährt morgens (time) schnell (manner) zur Arbeit (place).
This order helps sentences flow naturally and be easily understood. It is especially important in spoken German.
- Wir treffen uns abends (time) zusammen (manner) im Park (place).
- Er schreibt jetzt (time) sorgfältig (manner) im Büro (place).
Subordinate Clauses
Subordinate clauses are introduced by conjunctions like weil (because), dass (that), wenn (if/when), and ob (whether). In these clauses, the finite verb moves to the end.
- Ich glaube, dass er morgen kommt.
- Wir bleiben zu Hause, weil es regnet.
- Wenn du Zeit hast, ruf mich an.
Multiple verbs still cluster together at the end in subordinate clauses:
- ..., weil er das Buch hätte lesen müssen.
- ..., dass sie ins Kino gehen will.
How do subordinate clauses introduced by conjunctions like 'weil', 'dass', 'wenn', or 'ob' position the finite verb?
The finite verb moves to the end of the clause
In German subordinate clauses introduced by these conjunctions, the finite verb is postponed to the end of the clause.
Questions and Negation
Yes/no questions start with the verb:
- Kommt er heute?
- Haben sie Zeit?
W-questions start with the question word, followed by the verb in second position:
- Wann kommst du?
- Warum bist du müde?
Negation with nicht usually comes after the verb and objects, but before adverbial phrases:
- Ich sehe den Hund nicht.
- Er liest das Buch nicht mehr.
What is the correct word order for W-questions in German?
Question word first, then verb, then subject
W-questions begin with the question word (who, what, when, etc.), followed immediately by the finite verb, and then the subject.
Summary
- Verb is second in main clauses.
- Verb is last in subordinate clauses.
- Subject before verb; objects after verb.
- Dative objects precede accusative.
- Time → Manner → Place for adverbials.
- Yes/no questions: verb first.
- W-questions: question word first, verb second.
- Nicht comes after objects, before adverbs.
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Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
