Verb-second word order, subordinate clause order, and time-manner-place rules explained with example sentences. Front: the German word or phrase. Back: English meaning.
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- Ich kaufe ein Buch.
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I buy a book. (SVO word order in main clause)- Ein Buch kaufe ich.
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A book I buy. (Inverted V2: object moves to front, verb stays second)- Gestern bin ich ins Kino gegangen.
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Yesterday I went to the cinema. (Adverbial at front, verb second)- Schnell läuft der Junge.
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Fast runs the boy. (Adverb-Verb-Subject inversion)- Heute Morgen habe ich Kaffee getrunken.
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This morning I drank coffee. (Multiple time expressions, then V2)- Im Park spielen die Kinder.
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In the park play the children. (Location-Verb-Subject inversion)- Niemals habe ich das gesehen.
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Never have I seen that. (Negative adverb triggers inversion)- Nur selten kommt er pünktlich.
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Only rarely does he come on time. (Restrictive adverb inversion)- Plötzlich fing es an zu regnen.
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Suddenly it started to rain. (Adverb of manner/time at front)- Deshalb bin ich nicht gekommen.
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Therefore I did not come. (Conjunctive adverb triggers inversion)- Ich weiß, dass du kommst.
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I know that you are coming. (Subordinate clause: verb at end)- Wir fahren nach Berlin, obwohl es regnet.
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We drive to Berlin, although it is raining. (Concessive clause: verb final)- Wenn ich Zeit habe, rufe ich dich an.
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If I have time, I will call you. (Conditional clause: verb at end)- Der Mann, der hier arbeitet, ist mein Onkel.
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The man who works here is my uncle. (Relative clause: verb final)- Nachdem sie gegessen hatten, gingen sie spazieren.
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After they had eaten, they went for a walk. (Temporal clause: verb final)
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