A declarative sentence is a statement that provides information or expresses an idea. In German, declarative sentences follow a specific word order rule known as the Verb-Second (V2) rule, where the finite verb always appears in the second position. The sentence typically begins with the subject, but other elements (such as time, place, or an object) can also start the sentence, as long as the verb remains second.
Key points about German declarative sentences:
- The finite verb is always in the second position.
- The subject usually comes first, but other elements can be placed first for emphasis.
- The rest of the sentence follows the verb in natural order.
- If there are additional verbs (e.g., in perfect tense or modal constructions), they move to the end.
Examples of Declarative Sentences in German
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Ich lerne Deutsch. | I am learning German. |
| Morgen gehe ich ins Kino. | Tomorrow I am going to the cinema. |
| Wir haben das Buch gelesen. | We have read the book. |
| Er kann gut singen. | He can sing well. |
| Sie wohnt in Berlin. | She lives in Berlin. |
| Das Wetter ist schön. | The weather is nice. |
Examples with Different Sentence Elements
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Heute liest er die Zeitung. | Today he reads the newspaper. |
| In der Schule lerne ich viel. | At school I learn a lot. |
| Meine Freundin kommt später. | My friend is coming later. |
| Wir essen um 19 Uhr. | We eat at 7 p.m. |
| Der Hund schläft draußen. | The dog sleeps outside. |
Summary
German declarative sentences are straightforward statements that follow the V2 rule: the finite verb always occupies the second position, regardless of which element begins the sentence. This rule allows flexibility in sentence construction while maintaining clarity. Additional verbs are placed at the end, and the subject and other elements can shift positions for emphasis or style.
If you begin a German declarative sentence with a time or place element, where does the subject and finite verb go?
The finite verb remains second; the subject follows the verb.
Even if a sentence starts with a time or place element, the verb stays in second position, and the subject follows the verb.
Choose the correct conjugated verb for 'sleep' in the sentence: 'Der Hund ___ draußen.' (der Hund schlafen)
schläft
'schläft' is the correct third-person singular form of 'schlafen.' The sentence means 'The dog sleeps outside.'
Flashcards (1 of 11)
- English: I am learning German.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
