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LERNPFAD · A2 · fließend in alltäglichen Situationen

Wortstellung im Hauptsatz

A2Word order in main clauses
Morgen fahre ich nach Wien.

Tomorrow I am going to Vienna.

ERKLÄRUNG

In a German main clause, the finite verb is always in position 2. The first position can be a subject, but it can also be a time, place, or object; then the subject comes after the verb.

In a main clause, the finite verb always stays in position 2. If something else comes first — for example a time phrase, a place, or an object — the subject moves behind the verb: Morgen fahre ich... In the middle field, German usually prefers time before reason, manner and place, and pronouns usually come before nouns. With a dative and an accusative noun, the dative noun often comes first; with two pronouns, the accusative pronoun usually comes before the dative pronoun: Ich gebe es ihm.

STRUKTUR

[Element 1] + finite verb + subject + ...

Whatever comes first, the finite verb stays in position 2.

  • Heute arbeitet sie im Krankenhaus.Today she works at the hospital.
  • Im Büro sitzt der Chef den ganzen Tag.In the office the boss sits all day.
  • Dann rufe ich dich an.Then I will call you.
finite auxiliary/modal/part of separable verb in position 2 + ... + participle / infinitive / prefix at the end

The sentence bracket is closed at the end of the clause.

  • Ich habe den Zug verpasst.I missed the train.
  • Wir müssen heute früher gehen.We must leave earlier today.
  • Sie ruft ihre Mutter an.She calls her mother.
dative noun/pronoun + accusative noun / accusative pronoun + dative pronoun

Pronouns usually come before nouns.

  • Ich gebe dem Mann den Schlüssel.I give the man the key.
  • Ich gebe es dem Mann.I give it to the man.
  • Ich gebe ihm den Schlüssel.I give him the key.

ÜBERSICHT

Main-clause word order: the key patterns

PatternGermanMeaningWhat matters
Normal orderIch fahre morgen nach Wien.I travel to Vienna tomorrow.Subject first, verb second.
Fronted timeMorgen fahre ich nach Wien.Tomorrow I travel to Vienna.Verb still second; subject follows.
PerfektIch habe den Film gesehen.I saw the film.Finite auxiliary in position 2, participle at the end.
Separable verbIch rufe dich heute an.I call you today.Prefix goes to the end.
Dative + accusative nounsIch gebe dem Mann den Schlüssel.I give the man the key.Dative noun often comes before accusative noun.
Two pronounsIch gebe es ihm.I give it to him.Accusative pronoun before dative pronoun.

TYPISCHE FEHLER

  • Morgen ich fahre nach Wien.

    Morgen fahre ich nach Wien.

    The verb must be in position 2. If Morgen comes first, the subject ich moves after the verb.

  • Ich gesehen habe den Film.

    Ich habe den Film gesehen.

    In the Perfekt, the finite auxiliary comes in position 2 and the participle goes to the end.

  • Ich anrufe meine Freundin heute Abend.

    Ich rufe meine Freundin heute Abend an.

    With a separable verb, the prefix moves to the end of the main clause.

  • Ich gebe den Mann den Schlüssel.

    Ich gebe dem Mann den Schlüssel.

    The recipient must be in the dative case: dem Mann, while den Schlüssel is the direct object in the accusative.

HINWEISE

  • Position 1 can be almost anything, but position 2 must be the finite verb.
  • A fronted time expression is very common in everyday German: Heute, morgen, am Abend, danach.
  • In the middle field, the order time – reason – manner – place is a tendency, not a strict rule, but it is the safest A2 pattern.
  • Do not mix this point with Nebensätze: in a subordinate clause, the verb goes to the end, which is a different rule.

VERWANDT

Ja/Nein-Fragen und SatzstellungYes/No questionsA1PersonalpronomenSubject pronounsA1Trennbare VerbenSeparable verbsA1ModalverbenModal verbsA1
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