Grundwortstellung

German word order follows a small set of rules that apply consistently. The most important: the conjugated verb always occupies position 2 in a main clause. Everything else can shift — only the verb is fixed.

The V2 Rule — Position Table

In a German main clause, the conjugated verb always occupies Position 2. Everything else moves around it:

Key rule: Position 1 can be almost anything. Position 2 is always the verb. The subject moves to Position 3 if it was not in Position 1.

Regel 1: V2 — Das Verb steht immer an zweiter Stelle

In a main clause, position 1 can be the subject, a time expression, an object, or almost anything else. But the conjugated verb always stays in position 2 — what shifts is what comes before it.

Yes/No Questions (V1)

In questions without a question word, the verb moves to Position 1:

• Kommst du mit? (Are you coming along?)
• Hast du das gemacht? (Have you done that?)
• Ist das richtig? (Is that right?)
• Magst du Kaffee? (Do you like coffee?)

Subordinate Clauses — Verb at the End

When a subordinating conjunction (weil, dass, obwohl, wenn, als, ob...) introduces a clause, the verb goes to the very end:

• Ich weiß, dass er morgen kommt. (I know that he is coming tomorrow.)
• Sie bleibt zu Hause, weil sie krank ist. (She stays home because she is sick.)
• Er ruft an, wenn er kann. (He calls when he can.)

Regel 4: Trennbare Verben und Modalverben

With separable verbs, the prefix goes to the end of the clause. With modal verbs, the infinitive goes to the end.

Common Mistakes