Search results
Results From The WOW.Com Content Network
Sentence structure or word order (Wortstellung) is more flexible in German than in many other languages thanks to the cases. But there are some rules to follow. Click on one of the links below for an in-depth look at word order and sentence structure in German grammar.
There’s definitely a rhyme and reason to German syntax, and we’re here to explain it. In this article we’ll look at some of the rules that govern the most common German sentence structures. We’ll also break down a couple of real-life examples to help you see how German sentence structure works.
German sentence structure is the structure to which the German language adheres. German is an OV (Object-Verb) language. [1] Additionally, German, like all west Germanic languages except English, uses V2 word order, though only in independent clauses. In dependent clauses, the finite verb is placed last.
English & German Word Order, Compared. Check out these examples of German sentences and their word-for-word English translations: Pattern #1 (Standard): Ich wollte meine Oma anrufen. (I wanted to call my grandma.) Pattern #2 (Inverted): Wollte ich meine Oma anrufen.
Word order (also called syntax) in German is usually driven by the placement of the verb. The verb in German can be in the second position (most common), initial position (verb first), and clause-final position.
Get to grips with German grammar. German grammar can be a minefield: topics range from verb conjugation in all tenses, to the declension of nouns, articles, adjectives and pronouns in all four cases, through to prepositions, sentence structure and subordinate clauses.
German sentences are usually " time, manner, place." After a subordinate clause / conjunction, the verb goes last. Throughout this article, note that verb refers to the conjugated or finite verb, i.e., the verb that has an ending that agrees with the subject (er geht, wir geh en, du gehst, etc.).