German: How to Learn German Fast, Including Grammar, Short Stories and Useful Phrases when in Germany
Author:Daily Language Learning [Learning, Daily Language]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-12-20T20:30:00+00:00
Chapter 7 – Sentence Structure
The sentence structure in German is more flexible thanks to the cases than in many other languages. However, there are a few rules for word order, such as the position of the finite verb.
On the following pages, we will go into detail on individual topics concerning syntax and word order.
Main clause
Main sentences are independent sentences; they usually consist of at least subject, verb and object and contain complete information. The conjugate verb in the main clause is always at 2nd position.
Word position in German
The word order in the German sentence is an important topic. Thanks to the cases, we usually know whether a noun / pronoun is used as subject or object. Therefore, the object can also be at the beginning of the sentence, which is not readily possible in many other languages.
Example:
Both sentences express the same situation in German, even if the word order is different:
Der Mann nimmt den Ball.
Den Ball nimmt der Mann.
The man takes the ball.
Basic rule for the sentence structure
The sentence structure in German is quite flexible. As a rule we should remember:
The finite verb always occupies the second position in the set.
infinite verb forms (infinitive, participle II) are at the end of the sentence.
The subject is in many cases at the beginning of the sentence. In German, however, other phrases (eg object, place or time) may also be at the beginning of the sentence. If that's the case, the subject slips behind the finite verb.
In most cases, the sentence structure is correct as follows:
1. Position, finite verb, Subject, indirect object, time, place, direct object, infinitie verb
Subject: Die Lehrerin, hat, dem Kind, gestern, im Klassenzimmer, den Test, gegeben.
ind. Object: Dem Kind, hat, die Lehrerin, gestern, im Klassenzimmer, den Test, gegeben.
dir. Object: Den Test, hat, die Lehrerin, dem Kind, gestern, im Klassenzimmer, gegeben.
Time: Gestern, hat, die Lehrerin, dem Kind, im KLassenzimmer, den Test, gegeben.
Place: Im Klassenzimmer, hat, die Lehrerin, dem Kind, gestern, den Test, gegeben
But note: If the direct object is a pronoun, it is in front of the indirect object.
Example:
den Test = ihn
Die Lehrerin hat ihn dem Kind gestern im Klassenzimmer gegeben.
the test = it
The teacher gave it to the kid yesterday in class.
Exercise:
Make sentences with subject / object / place / time at the first position.
gestiegen/sind/wir/auf den Aussichtsturm
1. Position: Subjekt →
gelernt/habt/ihr/ein neues Lied/in der Schule
1. Position: Ort →
gehe/morgen/ich/ins Museum
1. Position: indirektes Objekt →
vorlesen/darf/sie/ihrem Opa/die Zeitung
Answer:
Wir sind auf den Aussichtsturm gestiegen.
In der Schule habt ihr ein neues Lied gelernt.
Ins Museum gehe ich morgen.
Ihrem Opa darf sie die Zeitung vorlesen.