Understanding sentence structure in German is a key step in learning the language. German grammar follows strict rules that may seem complex, but mastering them opens doors to effective communication. In this article, we’ll introduce German sentence structure, its most important rules, and examples to show you how to build correct sentences in German.
Basic German Word Order – SVO (Subject + Verb + Object)
In German, as in English, the simplest sentence consists of three elements: the subject (Subjekt), the verb (Verb), and the object (Objekt). In a declarative sentence, the conjugated verb always occupies the second position. If the subject comes first, directly before the verb, we have a simple sentence structure.
Simple Word Order in Declarative Sentences
subject || verb || object or adverbial
Sie || arbeitet || in Augsburg. – She || works || in Augsburg.
Er || ist || Pole. – He || is || Polish.
Eutin || liegt || südlich von Kiel. – Eutin || is located || south of Kiel.
This structure is used in declarative sentences when there are no additional complex elements.
Word Order in Questions
In questions, word order changes. A question word typically appears at the beginning, followed by the verb, and the subject moves to the end of the question.
Word Order in Questions with a Question Word
question word || verb || subject
- Woher || kommt || er? – Where || does he || come from?
- Wo || wohnt || sie? – Where || does she || live?
- Wer || studiert || Geschichte? – Who || studies || history?
A yes/no question, which lacks a question word, follows this structure:
- Ist sie da? – Is she (at home)?
- Hat sie heute Deutschunterricht? – Does she have German class today?
The answer to such questions can be a simple “Ja” (Yes) or “Nein” (No) or a complete sentence, such as:
- Ja, sie ist da. – Yes, she is at home.
- Nein, sie ist nicht da. – No, she is not here.
- Ja, sie hat heute Deutschunterricht. – Yes, she has German today.
- Nein, sie hat heute keinen Deutschunterricht. – No, she doesn’t have German today.
Simple vs. Inverted Word Order
One unique aspect of German is inverted word order. When we want to emphasize a specific part of the sentence, we use inversion, moving the highlighted element to the beginning. This means that in sentences with time, place, or reason adverbs, these elements can stand at the beginning of the sentence, and the subject moves after the verb.
Inverted Word Order in Declarative Sentences:
- Südlich von Kiel (adverbial) liegt (verb) Eutin (subject). – South of Kiel lies Eutin.
- Ab heute (adverbial) lernen (verb) wir (subject) Deutsch. – From today, we are learning German.
Final Word Order in Subordinate Clauses
A completely different rule applies to subordinate clauses, where the verb moves to the end of the sentence.
Example:
- Ich weiß, dass du ein Buch kaufst. – I know that you’re buying a book.
Why is this important? In German, subordinate clauses require special attention. They begin with a conjunction (e.g., “dass” – “that”), and the verb lands at the end. Without this knowledge, misunderstandings can arise.
Compound Sentences – When There Are Two Verbs
Another challenge is building sentences with more than one verb, typically in modal verb constructions or past tense. It’s essential to remember that in such sentences, the first verb occupies its usual position, while the second verb moves to the end of the sentence.
A compound sentence consists of at least two simple sentences, for example:
- Er ruft in einem Hotel an. Er bekommt ein Doppelzimmer.
- Er bekommt ein Doppelzimmer. Die Einzelzimmer sind belegt.
When the sentence above is joined with connectors such as “und” (and) or “denn” (because), it forms a compound sentence with the following structure:
Er ruft in einem Hotel an und bekommt ein Doppelzimmer.
After “und,” simple word order is used, and if both clauses share the same subject, it is not repeated.
Er bekommt ein Doppelzimmer, denn die Einzelzimmer sind belegt.
After “denn,” simple word order follows, and the subject is repeated even if it’s the same in both clauses:
Er bekommt ein Doppelzimmer, denn er kommt mit seiner Frau. – He gets a double room because he’s coming with his wife.
Word Order with Prepositions and Separable Verbs
German has separable verbs, which consist of a prefix and the verb stem. In a declarative sentence, the prefix is separated and moved to the end.
Example:
- Ich stehe früh auf. – I get up early.
The verb “aufstehen” (to get up) splits into “stehe” and “auf,” and the prefix “auf” goes to the end.
The Order of Words in Sentences with Adjectives and Adverbs
Prepositions, adjectives, and time or place adverbs also have specific positions. The general rule is that prepositions appear before the noun they relate to, while adjectives precede the noun they describe.
Example:
- Ich kaufe das neue Buch heute. – I’m buying the new book today.
In this sentence, the adverb of time “heute” (today) appears at the end, and the adjective “neue” (new) describes the noun “Buch” (book).
German Word Order – Exceptions and Nuances
German grammar has exceptions, especially in spoken language. Native speakers may adjust word order for emphasis, meaning word order can be more flexible than it seems. However, by following these basic rules, you’ll gain confidence in sentence building.
Summary
Understanding German word order is key to effective communication. The basic SVO structure is the foundation on which more complex constructions are built. Whether you’re forming a simple statement, a question, or a subordinate clause, the key is to know the position of the verb and other sentence elements. With regular practice, these rules will become second nature, and your sentences will be not only correct but also natural.
Some of the above information comes from the German course for beginners: German A1. Kein Problem! You can find more information and exercises to help you remember German grammar effectively in the SuperMemo courses listed below.
