Understanding sentence structure and word order in German is essential for forming correct and clear sentences. German word order can differ from English, especially in subordinate clauses, questions, and when verbs take multiple parts. In this lesson, you will learn the basic rules of German sentence structure and how to construct sentences in different contexts.
What You Will Learn
- The basic word order for German main clauses.
- How to form yes/no and W-questions.
- The structure of subordinate clauses.
- Positioning of verbs in sentences with modal verbs, separable verbs, and perfect tense.
- Common word order mistakes and how to avoid them.
- Practice exercises to strengthen your skills.
Basic Word Order in Main Clauses
In German main clauses, the typical word order follows the Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) structure.
Example:
- Ich lese ein Buch. (I am reading a book.)
- Subject: Ich (I)
- Verb: lese (am reading)
- Object: ein Buch (a book)
Rules:
- The verb is always in the second position in main clauses.
- Wir gehen heute ins Kino. (We are going to the cinema today.)
- If an adverbial phrase (e.g., time, place, or manner) comes first, the subject follows the verb.
- Heute gehe ich ins Kino. (Today, I am going to the cinema.)
Word Order in Yes/No Questions
In yes/no questions, the verb comes first, followed by the subject and then the object.
Examples:
- Liest du ein Buch? (Are you reading a book?)
- Hast du Zeit? (Do you have time?)
Word Order in W-Questions
In W-questions, the question word (e.g., wer, was, wann, warum) comes first, followed by the verb and then the subject.
Examples:
- Wann gehst du ins Kino? (When are you going to the cinema?)
- Warum lernst du Deutsch? (Why are you learning German?)
Word Order in Subordinate Clauses
Subordinate clauses are dependent clauses that begin with a subordinating conjunction (e.g., dass, weil, wenn). In subordinate clauses, the verb moves to the end of the clause.
Examples:
- Ich weiß, dass er heute kommt. (I know that he is coming today.)
- Subordinating conjunction: dass
- Verb: kommt (at the end)
- Wir bleiben zu Hause, weil es regnet. (We are staying at home because it is raining.)
- Subordinating conjunction: weil
- Verb: regnet (at the end)
Special Cases in Word Order
1. Modal Verbs
When using modal verbs (e.g., können, müssen, wollen), the modal verb is conjugated and placed in the second position, while the main verb appears at the end in its infinitive form.
Example:
- Ich kann Deutsch sprechen. (I can speak German.)
2. Separable Verbs
For separable verbs, the prefix separates from the verb and moves to the end of the sentence in main clauses.
Example:
- Ich stehe früh auf. (I get up early.)
In subordinate clauses, the prefix remains attached to the verb and the entire verb moves to the end.
Example:
- Ich weiß, dass ich früh aufstehe. (I know that I get up early.)
3. Perfect Tense
In the perfect tense, the auxiliary verb (haben or sein) appears in the second position, and the past participle is placed at the end of the clause.
Example:
- Ich habe ein Buch gelesen. (I have read a book.)
In subordinate clauses, the auxiliary verb follows the subject, and the past participle remains at the end.
Example:
- Ich weiß, dass er ein Buch gelesen hat. (I know that he has read a book.)
Common Word Order Mistakes
- Placing the verb too late in main clauses:
- Incorrect: Ich ins Kino gehe.
- Correct: Ich gehe ins Kino.
- Forgetting to move the verb to the end in subordinate clauses:
- Incorrect: Ich weiß, dass er kommt heute.
- Correct: Ich weiß, dass er heute kommt.
- Misplacing the prefix of separable verbs:
- Incorrect: Ich aufstehe früh.
- Correct: Ich stehe früh auf.
Practice Exercises
Exercise 1: Rearrange the Words
Put the words in the correct order:
- ins / gehe / ich / Kino.
- er / heute / kommt / dass / weiß / ich.
- Buch / ein / du / liest?
- spielt / sie / Klavier / warum?
Exercise 2: Complete the Sentences
Fill in the blanks with the correct word order:
- __________ (Heute) gehe ich ins Büro.
- Wir wissen, dass __________ (sie) Deutsch lernt.
- Er kann __________ (gut) kochen.
- Ich habe __________ (einen Film) gesehen.
Exercise 3: Translate the Sentences
Translate these sentences into German:
- I am learning German because it is important.
- Are you going to the park today?
- She knows that he will come tomorrow.
- Why are you not reading the book?
Exercise 4: Identify Mistakes
Correct the mistakes in these sentences:
- Ich gehe Kino ins.
- Er weiß, dass sie kommt morgen.
- Du kannst gut kochen nicht.
- Wir früh aufstehe.
Summary
In this lesson, you learned:
- The basic word order for German main clauses, questions, and subordinate clauses.
- How to position verbs in sentences with modal verbs, separable verbs, and the perfect tense.
- Common word order mistakes and how to fix them.
Homework
- Write 5 sentences in the perfect tense, ensuring correct word order.
- Create 3 W-questions and 3 yes/no questions.
- Practice forming sentences with subordinate clauses and separable verbs.