By the end of this lesson, I can…
- The first position is flexible
- Position means sentence element
- Usage, exceptions and scope
Simple explanation
In German main clauses, the conjugated verb usually comes in the second position. The first position can contain the subject, a time expression, or a place expression, but the verb must follow it. Learning this rule helps beginners create clear and correct German sentences.
The conjugated verb comes second
In a German main clause, the conjugated verb normally takes the second position.
The first position is flexible
The first element can be a subject, time expression, place expression, or another piece of information.
Position means sentence element
Verb position two refers to the second sentence element, not necessarily the second individual word.
Usage, exceptions and scope
Second position means the second constituent, not the second word. Der Mann aus Berlin kommt heute has a long noun phrase first. If time comes first, the subject follows the verb: Heute kommt Anna. Do not stack two separate constituents before the finite verb. This describes ordinary main-clause statements; yes/no questions are verb-first and W-questions begin with a question constituent. Another verb part or separable prefix forms the right bracket.
Patterns at a glance
These are construction models; translated examples follow below. Practice and test use separate question contexts.
| Rule | Model sentence |
|---|---|
| The first position is flexible | Heute lerne ich Deutsch. |
| The first position is flexible | Heute geht Anna zur Schule. |
| Position means sentence element | Der Mann aus Berlin kommt heute. |
| The first position is flexible | Heute lesen wir ein Buch. |
| The first position is flexible | Heute arbeitet Tom zu Hause. |
| The first position is flexible | Die Kinder sind hier. Jetzt trinken sie Wasser. |
Grammar formula
Basic structure
Subjekt + konjugiertes Verb + ErgänzungenIch lerne Deutsch.
Starting with time
Zeit + Verb + Subjekt + ErgänzungenHeute lerne ich Deutsch.
Starting with place
Ort + Verb + Subjekt + ErgänzungenIn Berlin wohnt mein Freund.
Core rules
- 1
The conjugated verb comes second
In a German main clause, the conjugated verb normally takes the second position.
- 2
The first position is flexible
The first element can be a subject, time expression, place expression, or another piece of information.
- 3
Position means sentence element
Verb position two refers to the second sentence element, not necessarily the second individual word.
- 4
Usage, exceptions and scope
Second position means the second constituent, not the second word. Der Mann aus Berlin kommt heute has a long noun phrase first. If time comes first, the subject follows the verb: Heute kommt Anna. Do not stack two separate constituents before the finite verb. This describes ordinary main-clause statements; yes/no questions are verb-first and W-questions begin with a question constituent. Another verb part or separable prefix forms the right bracket.
Useful examples
Ich lerne Deutsch.
I am learning German.
The subject Ich is first and the verb lerne is second.
Heute lerne ich Deutsch.
Today I am learning German.
Heute takes the first position, but the verb stays second.
Morgen gehe ich zur Arbeit.
Tomorrow I go to work.
The time expression comes first, followed by the verb.
Meine Mutter kocht Abendessen.
My mother is cooking dinner.
The subject starts the sentence and the verb follows.
Am Wochenende besuche ich meine Freunde.
At the weekend I visit my friends.
A longer time expression can occupy the first position.
In München arbeitet mein Bruder.
My brother works in Munich.
The place comes first, so the verb comes before the subject.
Jetzt trinke ich Kaffee.
Now I am drinking coffee.
Jetzt is the first element and trinke is the second element.
Der Lehrer erklärt die Grammatik.
The teacher explains the grammar.
This follows the normal subject-verb structure.
Jeden Morgen fährt Anna mit dem Bus.
Every morning Anna goes by bus.
A time expression can appear before the verb.
Nach der Schule spiele ich Fußball.
After school I play football.
A complete phrase can also be the first sentence element.
Common mistakes
- ❌ Heute ich lerne Deutsch. ✅ Heute lerne ich Deutsch.
- ❌ Heute Anna geht zur Schule. ✅ Heute geht Anna zur Schule.
- ❌ Der Mann aus Berlin kommen heute. ✅ Der Mann aus Berlin kommt heute.
- ❌ Heute wir lesen ein Buch. ✅ Heute lesen wir ein Buch.
- ❌ Heute Tom arbeitet zu Hause. ✅ Heute arbeitet Tom zu Hause.
- ❌ Die Kinder sind hier. Jetzt sie trinken Wasser. ✅ Die Kinder sind hier. Jetzt trinken sie Wasser.
Learning tips
- Read the context and word roles before choosing an option.
- After feedback, read the reason and make a new sentence.
- After practising, take the test without the table; test mastery is recorded separately from reading.
Use it in your own sentences
Adapt the names, times or places in the models to write six sentences about your own life. Keep the target construction and check that the meaning fits the rule. This is a self-assessment activity; the multiple-choice test has a separate score.
- Write a new sentence using table pattern 1.
- Write a new sentence using table pattern 2.
- Write a new sentence using table pattern 3.
- Write a new sentence using table pattern 4.
- Write a new sentence using table pattern 5.
- Write a new sentence using table pattern 6.
Show the model
Heute lerne ich Deutsch. Heute geht Anna zur Schule. Der Mann aus Berlin kommt heute. Heute lesen wir ein Buch. Heute arbeitet Tom zu Hause. Die Kinder sind hier. Jetzt trinken sie Wasser.
Check your own work
- I identified the subject, verb and target construction in every sentence.
- I adapted the context instead of only copying the model.
- I checked my choices against this lesson’s rules and exceptions.
Put it into practice
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Related grammar
Frequently asked questions
What should I check for “The conjugated verb comes second”?
In a German main clause, the conjugated verb normally takes the second position.
What should I check for “The first position is flexible”?
The first element can be a subject, time expression, place expression, or another piece of information.
What should I check for “Position means sentence element”?
Verb position two refers to the second sentence element, not necessarily the second individual word.
What should I check for “Usage, exceptions and scope”?
Second position means the second constituent, not the second word. Der Mann aus Berlin kommt heute has a long noun phrase first. If time comes first, the subject follows the verb: Heute kommt Anna. Do not stack two separate constituents before the finite verb. This describes ordinary main-clause statements; yes/no questions are verb-first and W-questions begin with a question constituent. Another verb part or separable prefix forms the right bracket.
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