By the end of this lesson, I can…
- The main verb goes to the end after modal verbs
- Separable prefixes move to the end
- The structure also works in questions
- Usage, exceptions and scope
Simple explanation
German sentence brackets are a structure where two verb parts surround the middle of a sentence. With modal verbs, the conjugated modal verb stays in position two and the main verb moves to the end. With separable verbs, the verb prefix moves to the end of the sentence.
The conjugated verb usually comes in position two
In normal German statements, the conjugated verb usually stands in the second position. With modal verbs, the modal verb is the conjugated verb.
The main verb goes to the end after modal verbs
After a modal verb, the second verb remains in the infinitive form and appears at the end of the sentence.
Separable prefixes move to the end
With separable verbs, the prefix separates from the verb and goes to the end of the sentence.
The structure also works in questions
In yes/no questions, the conjugated verb moves to the beginning, but the second verb part remains at the end.
Usage, exceptions and scope
Identify the two verb parts: Ich muss heute arbeiten; Ich rufe Anna an; Ich habe den Film gesehen. The finite part is second in a statement and first in a yes/no question; the other part closes this basic frame. A W-question begins with its question constituent, which is not necessarily the subject. With a modal, a separable infinitive stays together: Ich muss früh aufstehen. Read the subject, time and place inside the bracket rather than translating word for word.
Patterns at a glance
These are construction models; translated examples follow below. Practice and test use separate question contexts.
| Rule | Model sentence |
|---|---|
| The main verb goes to the end after modal verbs | Ich möchte heute Deutsch lernen. |
| Separable prefixes move to the end | Ich stehe morgen um sechs auf. |
| The structure also works in questions | Kannst du morgen kommen? |
| Separable prefixes move to the end | Kaufst du heute ein? |
| The main verb goes to the end after modal verbs | Ich muss morgen früh aufstehen. |
| Usage, exceptions and scope | Ich habe den Film gesehen. |
Grammar formula
Modal verb structure
Subjekt + Modalverb (konjugiert) + ... + InfinitivIch kann heute kommen.
Separable verb structure
Subjekt + Verbteil + ... + VorsilbeIch stehe früh auf.
Question with modal verb
Modalverb + Subjekt + ... + Infinitiv?Kannst du Deutsch sprechen?
Core rules
- 1
The conjugated verb usually comes in position two
In normal German statements, the conjugated verb usually stands in the second position. With modal verbs, the modal verb is the conjugated verb.
- 2
The main verb goes to the end after modal verbs
After a modal verb, the second verb remains in the infinitive form and appears at the end of the sentence.
- 3
Separable prefixes move to the end
With separable verbs, the prefix separates from the verb and goes to the end of the sentence.
- 4
The structure also works in questions
In yes/no questions, the conjugated verb moves to the beginning, but the second verb part remains at the end.
- 5
Usage, exceptions and scope
Identify the two verb parts: Ich muss heute arbeiten; Ich rufe Anna an; Ich habe den Film gesehen. The finite part is second in a statement and first in a yes/no question; the other part closes this basic frame. A W-question begins with its question constituent, which is not necessarily the subject. With a modal, a separable infinitive stays together: Ich muss früh aufstehen. Read the subject, time and place inside the bracket rather than translating word for word.
Useful examples
Ich kann Deutsch sprechen.
I can speak German.
The modal verb kann is in position two, and sprechen moves to the end.
Wir müssen heute arbeiten.
We have to work today.
The verb arbeiten stays in the infinitive form after müssen.
Sie will einen Kaffee trinken.
She wants to drink a coffee.
The modal verb shows intention, while trinken comes at the end.
Du darfst hier parken.
You are allowed to park here.
dürfen expresses permission.
Ich stehe jeden Morgen um sieben Uhr auf.
I get up at seven every morning.
The separable verb aufstehen becomes stehe ... auf.
Er kauft im Supermarkt ein.
He shops at the supermarket.
The prefix ein moves to the end of the sentence.
Wir rufen unsere Freunde an.
We call our friends.
anrufen is a separable verb with the prefix an.
Kannst du mir helfen?
Can you help me?
In yes/no questions, the modal verb moves to the first position.
Ich möchte heute Abend fernsehen.
I would like to watch television this evening.
möchte works with an infinitive at the end.
Meine Mutter steht sehr früh auf.
My mother gets up very early.
The prefix auf stays at the end of the sentence.
Common mistakes
- ❌ Ich möchte heute Deutsch lernt. ✅ Ich möchte heute Deutsch lernen.
- ❌ Ich stehe morgen um sechs ein. ✅ Ich stehe morgen um sechs auf.
- ❌ Kannst du morgen kommt? ✅ Kannst du morgen kommen?
- ❌ Kaufst du heute auf? ✅ Kaufst du heute ein?
- ❌ Ich muss morgen früh stehen auf. ✅ Ich muss morgen früh aufstehen.
- ❌ Ich habe den Film sehen. ✅ Ich habe den Film gesehen.
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
Ich möchte heute Deutsch lernen. Ich stehe morgen um sechs auf. Kannst du morgen kommen? Kaufst du heute ein? Ich muss morgen früh aufstehen. Ich habe den Film gesehen.
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
Related dictionary words
Frequently asked questions
What should I check for “The conjugated verb usually comes in position two”?
In normal German statements, the conjugated verb usually stands in the second position. With modal verbs, the modal verb is the conjugated verb.
What should I check for “The main verb goes to the end after modal verbs”?
After a modal verb, the second verb remains in the infinitive form and appears at the end of the sentence.
What should I check for “Separable prefixes move to the end”?
With separable verbs, the prefix separates from the verb and goes to the end of the sentence.
What should I check for “The structure also works in questions”?
In yes/no questions, the conjugated verb moves to the beginning, but the second verb part remains at the end.
What should I check for “Usage, exceptions and scope”?
Identify the two verb parts: Ich muss heute arbeiten; Ich rufe Anna an; Ich habe den Film gesehen. The finite part is second in a statement and first in a yes/no question; the other part closes this basic frame. A W-question begins with its question constituent, which is not necessarily the subject. With a modal, a separable infinitive stays together: Ich muss früh aufstehen. Read the subject, time and place inside the bracket rather than translating word for word.
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