German Word Order
German word order follows strict rules: the conjugated verb occupies position 2 in statements (V2), moves to position 1 in yes/no questions, and shifts to the end in subordinate clauses introduced by weil, dass, wenn, or ob. Adverbials follow the TeKaMoLo sequence: temporal, causal, modal, local.
German word order is more rigid than English. The most important rule is V2: in declarative sentences, the conjugated verb always stands in second position, regardless of what comes first. The subject may or may not be in first position.
When an element other than the subject starts the sentence—such as a time expression or adverb—the verb still occupies second position, and the subject moves after the verb. This pattern is called inversion. Questions follow different rules: yes/no questions begin with the verb, while W-questions start with a question word followed by the verb in second position.
Subordinate clauses break the V2 rule. After conjunctions like weil, dass, wenn, and ob, the conjugated verb moves to the end of the clause. When multiple adverbials appear together, they follow the TeKaMoLo order: temporal (when), causal (why), modal (how), and local (where).
Mastering these patterns is essential for clear communication. German listeners expect the verb in predictable positions, and deviations can cause confusion or sound unnatural, even if the meaning remains understandable.
- Main clause V2 rule
- Aussagesatz: konjugiertes Verb immer an Position 2 (V2)
- Inversion after fronted elements
- Inversion: steht etwas anderes vorne, folgt das Verb trotzdem an Position 2
- TeKaMoLo adverbial order
- Reihenfolge der Angaben: TeKaMoLo (temporal, kausal, modal, lokal)
- Subordinate clause verb-final
- Nebensatz: konjugiertes Verb ans Satzende (weil, dass, wenn, ob …)
- Yes/no question verb-first
- Ja/Nein-Frage: Verb an Position 1
- W-question structure
- W-Frage: W-Wort + Verb an Position 2
Examples
Common mistakes
- Saying 'Ich heute gehe ins Kino' instead of 'Heute gehe ich ins Kino' (verb must stay in position 2)
- Saying 'Ich glaube, dass er kommt morgen' instead of 'Ich glaube, dass er morgen kommt' (verb goes to end in subordinate clause)
- Saying 'Du kommst heute Abend mit?' instead of 'Kommst du heute Abend mit?' (yes/no question needs verb first)
- Saying 'Wir bleiben zu Hause, weil regnet es' instead of 'Wir bleiben zu Hause, weil es regnet' (verb final after weil)
FAQ
What is the V2 rule in German?
The V2 rule means the conjugated verb always occupies the second position in German declarative sentences. The first position can be filled by the subject, a time expression, an adverb, or an object, but the verb remains in second place.
When does the verb go to the end in German?
The conjugated verb moves to the end of the clause in subordinate clauses introduced by conjunctions like weil, dass, wenn, ob, als, and obwohl. This is one of the most distinctive features of German syntax.
What is TeKaMoLo in German grammar?
TeKaMoLo is a mnemonic for the preferred order of adverbials in German: temporal (time), kausal (reason), modal (manner), and lokal (place). For example, 'Ich fahre morgen wegen der Arbeit schnell nach Berlin' follows this sequence.