Deutsch · A1 · grammar · 4 minutes
Verb-second word order
Keep the conjugated verb in position two even when time or place comes first.
Understand the choice
Verb-second is a structural rule, not simply subject-verb order. A whole phrase such as am Montag or nach der Arbeit counts as one first-position unit.
Core rule: In a German main statement, exactly one constituent precedes the finite verb; the subject may follow when another element fills first position.
Notice it in context
Heute lerne ich Deutsch, und morgen arbeite ich zu Hause.
Today I study German, and tomorrow I work from home.
Heute occupies slot one, lerne slot two, and subject ich moves behind it; the second clause repeats the pattern.
Nach dem Kurs fahre ich mit dem Bus nach Hause.
After the class I take the bus home.
The entire phrase Nach dem Kurs is one constituent before fahre.
Im Sommer besuchen meine Eltern oft Berlin.
In summer my parents often visit Berlin.
Im Sommer fills first position; besuchen remains second before subject meine Eltern.
What to remember
- Coordinating words und, aber, denn, oder do not occupy the first-position slot.
- The second position contains only the finite verb part; separable prefixes go to the end.
Common trap: Do not say heute ich lerne in a main statement. The verb must immediately follow the fronted element.