German Word Order Basics
German word order follows the V2 rule: the conjugated verb is always in the second position in main clauses. Time-Manner-Place (TMP) governs the order of adverbial information.
German word order may seem chaotic at first, but it follows clear rules. The most important is the verb-second (V2) rule: in a main clause, the conjugated verb always occupies the second position.
The V2 Rule
In a standard statement, the subject comes first and the verb second: Ich gehe nach Hause. (I go home.) But if another element is placed first for emphasis, the verb stays second and the subject moves after it: Morgen gehe ich nach Hause. (Tomorrow I go home.) This inversion is mandatory — the verb must remain in position two.
Time – Manner – Place (TMP)
When a sentence includes information about when, how, and where, the order is typically Time – Manner – Place: Ich fahre morgen (time) mit dem Zug (manner) nach Berlin (place).
Questions
In yes/no questions, the verb moves to position one: Gehst du nach Hause? (Are you going home?) In W-questions (wer, was, wo, wann, etc.), the question word comes first and the verb stays second: Wann gehst du nach Hause? (When are you going home?)
Two-Part Verbs
When a verb has two parts (separable verbs, modal + infinitive, or perfect tense), the conjugated part stays in position two and the other part goes to the end: Ich rufe dich morgen an. (I will call you tomorrow.) Ich kann Deutsch sprechen. (I can speak German.)
Subordinate Clauses
In subordinate clauses introduced by conjunctions like weil, dass, wenn, obwohl, the conjugated verb moves to the very end: Ich bleibe zu Hause, weil ich krank bin. (I stay home because I am sick.)
Reference Tables
Main Clause Word Order
| Position 1 | Position 2 (Verb) | Middle Field | End |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ich | spiele | heute Tennis | |
| Heute | spiele | ich Tennis | |
| Ich | habe | gestern Tennis | gespielt |
| Ich | will | morgen Tennis | spielen |
TMP Order (Time – Manner – Place)
| Time (Wann?) | Manner (Wie?) | Place (Wo/Wohin?) |
|---|---|---|
| morgen | mit dem Zug | nach Berlin |
| jeden Tag | gern | im Park |
| um 8 Uhr | schnell | zur Schule |
Example Sentences
Ich trinke morgens Kaffee.
I drink coffee in the morning.
Standard SVO: subject (ich) + verb (trinke) + time + object
Morgens trinke ich Kaffee.
In the morning, I drink coffee.
Time first → verb stays 2nd → subject moves to 3rd position
Ich kann gut Deutsch sprechen.
I can speak German well.
Modal verb in position 2, infinitive at the end
Ich weiß, dass er morgen kommt.
I know that he is coming tomorrow.
Subordinate clause: 'dass' sends the verb 'kommt' to the end
Common Mistakes
Morgen ich gehe nach Hause.
Morgen gehe ich nach Hause.
When a non-subject element is in position 1, the verb must stay in position 2 and the subject moves to position 3. This inversion is mandatory.
Ich kann sprechen Deutsch.
Ich kann Deutsch sprechen.
In a sentence with a modal verb, the infinitive goes to the end, not immediately after the modal.
Ich weiß, dass er kommt morgen.
Ich weiß, dass er morgen kommt.
In a subordinate clause (after dass, weil, etc.), the conjugated verb must be at the very end.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the V2 rule in German?
The V2 (verb-second) rule means the conjugated verb must always be in the second position in a main clause. If the subject is not first, it moves behind the verb: 'Heute gehe ich' instead of 'Heute ich gehe'.
What does Time-Manner-Place mean in German?
Time-Manner-Place (TMP or TeKaMoLo in German) describes the standard order of adverbial information: first when (morgen), then how (mit dem Zug), then where (nach Berlin). This is a guideline, not an absolute rule.
Why does the verb go to the end in some German sentences?
In subordinate clauses introduced by conjunctions like weil (because), dass (that), wenn (if/when), or obwohl (although), the conjugated verb moves to the end of that clause. This is a fundamental rule of German sentence structure.
Related Grammar Topics
Related Words
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