German Verb Word Order
Understanding where verbs go in German sentences
The Three Main Rules
1. V2 Position (Main Clauses)
In main clauses, the conjugated verb is always in second position (V2), no matter what comes first.
[Ich] gehe heute ins Kino.
Subject first → verb second
[Heute] gehe ich ins Kino.
Time first → verb still second (subject moves after verb)
2. Verb-Final (Subordinate Clauses)
In subordinate clauses (after conjunctions like dass, weil, wenn, ob), the verb goes to the end.
Ich weiß, dass er heute kommt.
I know that he is coming today.
Ich bleibe zu Hause, weil es regnet.
I'm staying home because it's raining.
3. Sentence Bracket (Compound Tenses)
With modal verbs or perfect tenses, the auxiliary/modal stays in V2, and the main verb goes to the end.
Ich habe gestern ein Buch gelesen.
I read a book yesterday. (auxiliary + past participle)
Ich will heute ins Kino gehen.
I want to go to the cinema today. (modal + infinitive)
Clause Type Comparison
| Clause Type | Verb Position | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Main clause | Position 2 (V2) | Ich gehe nach Hause. |
| Subordinate clause | End of clause | ...weil ich müde bin. |
| Yes/No question | Position 1 | Gehst du nach Hause? |
| W-question | Position 2 (V2) | Wohin gehst du? |
| Command | Position 1 | Geh nach Hause! |
Common Subordinating Conjunctions
These words send the verb to the end:
- • dass (that)
- • weil (because)
- • wenn (if, when)
- • ob (whether)
- • als (when - past)
- • obwohl (although)
- • während (while)
- • bis (until)
- • seit/seitdem (since)
- • bevor (before)
Memory Tricks
💡 The "TeKaMoLo" Rule
Word order for non-verb elements: Temporal (time), Kausal (reason), Modal (manner), Lokal (place).
💡 Quick Tip
German word order takes practice! For interactive sentence-building exercises, check out PresentForge — AI-Powered Presentation Generator. Remember: V2 in main clauses, verb-final in subordinate clauses!
Practice Quiz
Choose the correct verb placement:
1. Ich ___ heute ins Kino.
2. Ich weiß, dass er heute ___.
3. Gestern ___ ich ein Buch ___.
4. ___ du morgen Zeit?
5. Sie sagt, dass sie müde ___.