In any language, a complete sentence is made up of many components, among which the verb is always considered the most important component for forming a sentence.
In any language, a complete sentence is made up of many components, among which the verb is always considered the most important element for forming a sentence. In today's article, we will explore together the position of verbs in German sentences. Let's get started!!!
- The verb in position 2
- In declarative sentences (Aussagesatz) and questions with W-question words (W_Fragen), the verb always stands in position 2:
Position 1 | Position 2 | Mittelfeld | Satzende | |
Declarative sentence | Ich | heiße | Maria. | |
Question with a question word | Wann | beginnt | das Konzert? |
- For separable verbs, the base verb stands in position 2, while the prefix stands at the end of the sentence:
Position 1 | Position 2 | Mittelfeld | Satzende | |
Declarative sentence | Sie | leitet | wichtige E-Mails an die Chefin | weiter. |
Question with a question word | Wann | kommt | der Zug | an? |
Position 1 | Position 2 | Mittelfeld | Satzende | |
Declarative sentence | Henry | kann | gut | schwimmen. |
Question with a question word | Was | können | wir im Supermarkt | kaufen? |
- If the sentence contains an auxiliary verb (present perfect tense, future tense, passive voice), the auxiliary verb occupies position 2, and the main verb appears at the end of the sentence:
Position 1 | Position 2 | Mittelfeld | Satzende | |
Declarative sentence in the present perfect tense Perfekt | Sie | hat | ein Gedicht | geschrieben. |
Question with a question word in the future tense | Wann | wirst | du dein Zimmer | aufräumen? |
Declarative sentence in the passive voice | Seit 3 Monaten | werden | in Vietnam weniger Autos | verkauft. |
- The verb in position 1
- In German, the verb only occupies the first position in imperative sentences (Imperativsatz) and in yes/no questions (Ja/Nein_Fragen):
Position 1 | Mittelfeld | Satzende | |
Imperative sentence | Setzen | Sie sich. | |
Yes/No question | Beginnt | das Konzert um 18 Uhr? |
- For separable verbs, the verb stem occupies position 1, and the prefix occupies the final position in imperative sentences and yes/no questions:
Position 1 | Mittelfeld | Satzende | |
Imperative sentence | Rufen | Sie mich bitte morgen | an! |
Yes/No question | Kommt | der Zug um 19 Uhr | an? |
- Similarly, modal verbs and auxiliary verbs occupy position 1, and the remaining verb occupies the final position in yes/no questions (Ja/Nein_Fragen):
Position 1 | Mittelfeld | Satzende | |
Yes/No questions with modal verbs | Kannst | du gut | schwimmen? |
Yes/No questions in the present perfect tense | Hast | du mit Maria | telefoniert? |
Yes/No questions in the future tense | Werden | die Thunfische bald | aussterben? |
Yes/No questions in the passive voice | Wird | dieses Haus | repariert? |
Knowledge test
Position of the verb in the sentence
- 1.
Ich - dich - können - mitnehmen.
- 2.
Henry - gut - Tennis - spielen.
- 3.
Wir - ins Stadion - gehen - morgen - können.
- 4.
Ich - dich - anrufen. (Perfekt)