Satzbau I: German Main Clause Word Order
German word order can look confusing at first, but the main clause (Hauptsatz) follows just one core rule: the verb always comes second. In this lesson, we cover the three types of main clauses and where the subject and verb go in each one, then finish with a bonus tip on adding more sentence parts.
What Is a Hauptsatz?
A Hauptsatz is an independent main clause β a complete sentence that can stand on its own. The subject is the one doing the action, marked by the nominative case, and the verb is the action itself.
The 3 Main Clause Types
Statement: subject in position 1, verb in position 2 β Ich lerne Deutsch. Yes/no question: verb in position 1, subject in position 2 β Lernst du Deutsch? W-question: question word in position 1, verb in position 2, subject in position 3 β Was lernst du?
Bonus Tip: The Verb Always Stays in Position 2
Even when you add more information β like time or place β the verb stays in position 2 in a statement, and the subject simply moves after it: Ich lerne heute Deutsch. β Heute lerne ich Deutsch. This βverb-secondβ rule is the single most important pattern in German present-tense sentences.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Hauptsatz in German?
An independent main clause β a complete sentence that can stand on its own.
What position does the verb take in a German statement?
Position 2 β always the second element in the sentence, even if the first element isn't the subject.
How is a yes/no question formed in German?
By moving the verb to position 1, before the subject, e.g. Lernst du Deutsch?
What happens to the subject when another word starts the sentence?
The subject moves to right after the verb, since the verb must stay in position 2, e.g. Heute lerne ich Deutsch.
How is a W-question structured in German?
Question word in position 1, verb in position 2, subject in position 3, e.g. Was lernst du?
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