German syntax is the set of rules that govern how words are combined to form sentences. It ensures clarity and coherence in communication.
- German typically follows a Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) order in main clauses.
- In main clauses, the verb is always in the second position.
- In subordinate clauses, the verb moves to the end of the sentence.
- German is a verb-second (V2) language, meaning the verb occupies the second position in main clauses, regardless of what comes first.
- Word order can change for emphasis, style, or to accommodate different sentence types.
- Parts of speech include nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, pronouns, conjunctions, and prepositions, each playing a specific role in sentence construction.
Yes, German is a verb-second (V2) language.
Main clauses and subordinate clauses
Subject-Verb-Object (SVO)
Main Clause Word Order
In main clauses, German places the verb in the second position and typically follows an SVO order for simple sentences.
- The finite verb is always the second element (Verb-second rule).
- The first position can be the subject, an object, or an adverbial phrase, but the verb stays second.
- The rest of the sentence follows after the verb, usually as Subject-Verb-Object (SVO).
Examples
| Element | German | English |
|---|---|---|
| Subject (S) | Der Hund | The dog |
| Verb (V) | beißt | bites |
| Object (O) | den Mann | the man |
| Full Sentence | Der Hund (S) beißt (V) den Mann (O). | The dog bites the man. |
SVO with the verb in second position
The finite verb is in second position.
Subordinate Clause Word Order
In subordinate clauses, the finite verb moves to the end of the clause, which is a key difference from main clause word order.
- Subordinate clauses begin with a subordinating conjunction (e.g., weil, dass, obwohl).
- The finite verb is placed at the end of the clause, after all other elements.
Examples
| Element | German | English |
|---|---|---|
| Subordinating Conjunction | weil | because |
| Subject (S) | der Hund | the dog |
| Object (O) | den Mann | the man |
| Verb (V) | beißt | bites |
| Full Subordinate Clause | weil der Hund den Mann beißt (V) | because the dog bites the man |
The verb moves to the end of the clause.
Verb Position in Different Clause Types
The position of the verb in German sentences depends on the type of clause being used.
| Clause Type | Description | Verb Position | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Clause | Independent sentence | 2nd position | Ich gehe. (I go.) |
| Subordinate Clause | Dependent sentence | End | ..., weil ich gehe. (... because I go.) |
| Yes/No Question | Question form | 1st position | Gehe ich? (Do I go?) |
| W-Question | Question with question word | 2nd position | Wann gehst du? (When do you go?) |
Main: 2nd; Subordinate: End; Yes/No: 1st; W-Question: 2nd
Summary
- German syntax defines how words form sentences for clear communication.
- Main clauses: Verb is 2nd; typical order is S-V-O.
- Subordinate clauses: Verb moves to the end.
- German is a verb-second (V2) language.
- Word order changes with sentence type and for emphasis.
Because the verb is placed at the end of subordinate clauses.