By the end of this lesson, I can…
- Verb Position Two in German Main Clauses
- German W-Questions: wer, was, wo, wann, wie and warum
- Yes/No Questions in German
- Separable Verbs in German
- Using können to talk about abilities
- Sentence Brackets with Modal Verbs and Separable Verbs
Simple explanation
Combine previously studied patterns in one review. Recall the structures, then use separate practice and test banks. Return to the linked lessons for any weak points.
The conjugated verb comes second
In a German main clause, the conjugated verb normally takes the second position.
Use was for things and activities
Use was when asking about objects, information, or actions.
Answers can use ja or nein
Short answers can be only ja or nein, but complete sentences are also common.
Usage, exceptions and scope
Learn the complete verb and prefix: aufstehen, einkaufen, anrufen, fernsehen, mitkommen. In a present main clause the prefix separates at the end: Ich rufe Anna an. It also separates in a question: Rufst du Anna an? After a modal the infinitive stays together: Ich kann Anna anrufen. Not every prefix separates: besuchen does not. Use Ich sehe fern for watching TV; ordinary listening to the radio is Ich höre Radio.
Usage, exceptions and scope
Full forms: ich kann, du kannst, er/sie/es kann, wir können, ihr könnt, sie/Sie können. The second infinitive comes last without zu: Sie kann gut schwimmen. Ask Kannst du schwimmen? and negate Ich kann nicht schwimmen. Können expresses ability or possibility and occurs in requests: Kannst du mir helfen? Dürfen is more explicit for permission, although können also asks permission conversationally. An understood infinitive can be omitted in a short reply.
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
| Rule | Model sentence |
|---|---|
| Verb Position Two in German Main Clauses | Ich lerne Deutsch. |
| German W-Questions: wer, was, wo, wann, wie and warum | Was machst du? |
| Yes/No Questions in German | Bist du müde? |
| Separable Verbs in German | Wir kaufen am Samstag im Supermarkt ein. |
| Using können to talk about abilities | Ich kann Deutsch sprechen. |
| Sentence Brackets with Modal Verbs and Separable Verbs | Wir müssen heute arbeiten. |
Grammar formula
Basic structure
Subjekt + konjugiertes Verb + ErgänzungenIch lerne Deutsch.
Starting with time
Zeit + Verb + Subjekt + ErgänzungenHeute lerne ich Deutsch.
Modal verb structure
Subjekt + Modalverb (konjugiert) + ... + InfinitivIch kann heute kommen.
Separable verb structure
Subjekt + Verbteil + ... + VorsilbeIch stehe früh auf.
Core rules
- 1
The conjugated verb comes second
In a German main clause, the conjugated verb normally takes the second position.
- 2
Use was for things and activities
Use was when asking about objects, information, or actions.
- 3
Answers can use ja or nein
Short answers can be only ja or nein, but complete sentences are also common.
- 4
Usage, exceptions and scope
Learn the complete verb and prefix: aufstehen, einkaufen, anrufen, fernsehen, mitkommen. In a present main clause the prefix separates at the end: Ich rufe Anna an. It also separates in a question: Rufst du Anna an? After a modal the infinitive stays together: Ich kann Anna anrufen. Not every prefix separates: besuchen does not. Use Ich sehe fern for watching TV; ordinary listening to the radio is Ich höre Radio.
- 5
Usage, exceptions and scope
Full forms: ich kann, du kannst, er/sie/es kann, wir können, ihr könnt, sie/Sie können. The second infinitive comes last without zu: Sie kann gut schwimmen. Ask Kannst du schwimmen? and negate Ich kann nicht schwimmen. Können expresses ability or possibility and occurs in requests: Kannst du mir helfen? Dürfen is more explicit for permission, although können also asks permission conversationally. An understood infinitive can be omitted in a short reply.
- 6
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 lerne Deutsch.
I am learning German.
The subject Ich is first and the verb lerne is second.
Was machst du?
What are you doing?
Was asks about an activity or action.
Bist du müde?
Are you tired?
The verb bist comes first because this is a yes/no question.
Wir kaufen am Samstag im Supermarkt ein.
We do our shopping at the supermarket on Saturday.
Einkaufen becomes kaufen ... ein in a main sentence.
Ich kann Deutsch sprechen.
I can speak German.
Kann is the form of können used with ich.
Wir müssen heute arbeiten.
We have to work today.
The verb arbeiten stays in the infinitive form after müssen.
Common mistakes
- ❌ Heute ich lerne Deutsch. ✅ Heute lerne ich Deutsch.
- ❌ Wann wohnst du? — In Bonn. ✅ Wo wohnst du? — In Bonn.
- ❌ Kommt du aus Bonn? ✅ Kommst du aus Bonn?
- ❌ Ich stehe jeden Morgen um sieben an. ✅ Ich stehe jeden Morgen um sieben auf.
- ❌ Ich kannst schwimmen. ✅ Ich kann schwimmen.
- ❌ Ich möchte heute Deutsch lernt. ✅ Ich möchte heute Deutsch lernen.
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.
Combine six patterns
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.
- Verb Position Two in German Main Clauses
- German W-Questions: wer, was, wo, wann, wie and warum
- Yes/No Questions in German
- Separable Verbs in German
- Using können to talk about abilities
- Sentence Brackets with Modal Verbs and Separable Verbs
Show the model
Ich lerne Deutsch. Was machst du? Bist du müde? Wir kaufen am Samstag im Supermarkt ein. Ich kann Deutsch sprechen. Wir müssen heute arbeiten.
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
Which rule should I review for “The conjugated verb comes second”?
In a German main clause, the conjugated verb normally takes the second position.
Which rule should I review for “Use was for things and activities”?
Use was when asking about objects, information, or actions.
Which rule should I review for “Answers can use ja or nein”?
Short answers can be only ja or nein, but complete sentences are also common.
Which rule should I review for “Usage, exceptions and scope”?
Learn the complete verb and prefix: aufstehen, einkaufen, anrufen, fernsehen, mitkommen. In a present main clause the prefix separates at the end: Ich rufe Anna an. It also separates in a question: Rufst du Anna an? After a modal the infinitive stays together: Ich kann Anna anrufen. Not every prefix separates: besuchen does not. Use Ich sehe fern for watching TV; ordinary listening to the radio is Ich höre Radio.
Which rule should I review for “Usage, exceptions and scope”?
Full forms: ich kann, du kannst, er/sie/es kann, wir können, ihr könnt, sie/Sie können. The second infinitive comes last without zu: Sie kann gut schwimmen. Ask Kannst du schwimmen? and negate Ich kann nicht schwimmen. Können expresses ability or possibility and occurs in requests: Kannst du mir helfen? Dürfen is more explicit for permission, although können also asks permission conversationally. An understood infinitive can be omitted in a short reply.
Which rule should I review 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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