Verb Position in Simple Sentences
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Learn where the conjugated verb goes in statements, wh-questions, yes/no questions, and commands. Practise the verbal bracket with separable verbs, modal verbs, and the perfect tense.
Explanation
Where does the verb go?
In a German main clause, the sentence type determines the position of the conjugated verb.
| Sentence type | Position | Pattern | Example |
|---|
| statement | 2 | element + verb + ... | Heute fährt Lena nach Bonn. |
| wh-question | 2 | question word + verb + subject + ... | Wann fährt Lena nach Bonn? |
| yes/no question | 1 | verb + subject + ... | Fährt Lena heute nach Bonn? |
| command | 1 | imperative + ... | Fahrt heute früh los! |
Position 2 means the second sentence element
The subject, a time phrase, a place, or another element can occupy position 1. One element may contain several words:
- Am frühen Morgen öffnet das Café.
- Nach dem Kurs ruft Amir seine Schwester an.
When another element comes first, the subject usually follows the verb: Heute arbeitet Mia zu Hause.
The verbal bracket
With two-part verb forms, the conjugated part is near the front and the other verb part is at the end:
- separable verb: Nora räumt die Küche auf.
- modal + infinitive: Wir müssen morgen früh starten.
- perfect: Paul hat den Termin vergessen.
In statements and wh-questions, the conjugated part is in position 2. In yes/no questions and commands, it is in position 1. The second verb part remains at the end.
A quick check
- Identify the sentence type.
- Find the conjugated verb part.
- Put it in position 1 or 2.
- With two-part forms, check the sentence ending.
Exercises
- Arrange the sentence elements. Watch position 1 or 2 of the conjugated verb and the verbal bracket. (10)
- Move the indicated element to the beginning and rewrite the complete sentence. (10)
- Write a suitable complete question for the answer. Choose between a wh-question and a yes/no question. (10)
- Turn the cue into a command addressed to ihr. Put the verb first and separable prefixes at the end. (10)
- Complete the short message. Choose the correct verb parts from the word bank; use each word once. (2)
A2 · German · Grammar