German words can move around more than English words, but the verb follows a strict schedule. Once you know where the conjugated verb has to stand, most German sentences suddenly look logical. This page shows you the three core positions that explain almost everything you will read.
How it works
The single core rule is simple: in a normal German main clause, the conjugated verb stands in second position.
That does not mean second word. It means second idea or block. Anything can come first, but the verb still comes second.
- Verb second in statements: one element first, then the conjugated verb, then the rest.
- Inversion after time or place: if you start with heute, hier, or deshalb, subject and verb swap places.
- Sentence bracket with two verbs: modal verbs, perfect tense, and separable verbs send the second verb part to the end.
- Verb last in subordinate clauses: after weil, dass, wenn, and similar words, the conjugated verb moves to the very end.
- Verb first in yes-no questions and commands: questions and imperatives start directly with the verb.
Tip: Count ideas, not words. In Am Montagmorgen fährt mein Bruder nach Berlin. — (On Monday morning my brother travels to Berlin.) — the whole phrase Am Montagmorgen is position one and fährt is position two.
Note: More advanced patterns like double infinitives and long embeddings are later material. For A1 to B1, focus on verb second, inversion, and simple weil clauses first.
Examples
- Ich trinke morgens Kaffee. — (I drink coffee in the morning.)
- Heute trinkt Anna Tee. — (Today Anna drinks tea.)
- Mein Bruder wohnt in München. — (My brother lives in Munich.)
- Ich will nach Berlin fahren. — (I want to travel to Berlin.)
- Sie hat gestern lange geschlafen. — (She slept for a long time yesterday.)
- Er macht die Tür auf. — (He opens the door.)
- Ich bleibe zu Hause, weil ich krank bin. — (I am staying home because I am sick.)
- Weißt du, ob der Zug schon abgefahren ist? — (Do you know whether the train has already left?)
Watch out: German time order is often time before place. Learners who say place before time sound unusual even when the verb is correct.
Forms at a glance
- Basic statement, verb second:
- Position 1: Ich — (I)
- Position 2, verb: trinke — (drink)
- Rest: morgens Kaffee — (coffee in the morning)
- Inversion, time first:
- Position 1: Heute — (today)
- Position 2, verb: trinkt — (drinks)
- Subject next: Anna — (Anna)
- Sentence bracket, modal plus infinitive:
- Position 2: Ich will — (I want)
- End: fahren — (to travel)
- Sentence bracket, perfect tense:
- Position 2: Sie hat — (she has)
- End: geschlafen — (slept)
- Subordinate clause, verb last:
- Conjunction: weil — (because)
- End: ich krank bin — (I am sick)
- Yes-no question, verb first:
- Verb in position 1: Trinkst du Kaffee? — (Do you drink coffee?)
Common mistakes
- Not Morgen ich gehe zur Arbeit. — correct: Morgen gehe ich zur Arbeit. — (Tomorrow I go to work.) — only one element may stand before the verb.
- Not Ich will fahren nach Berlin. — correct: Ich will nach Berlin fahren. — (The infinitive closes the bracket at the end.)
- Not Weil ich bin krank. — correct: Weil ich krank bin. — (Subordinate clauses send the conjugated verb last.)
- Not Er macht auf die Tür. — correct: Er macht die Tür auf. — (Separable prefixes go to the end in main clauses.)
Where to go next
Word order clicks faster once you see it inside longer sentences. Continue with connectors and questions to practice verb-first and verb-last patterns.
Next: Conjunctions and Linking Words, Subordinate and Relative Clauses, and Questions and Negation.