WUL: Wortstellung (Word Order)

Wortstellung (Word Order)

What is the basic word order or syntax in a German sentence? You will soon learn that the placement of the verb in a German sentence is very important; indeed, it is the controlling element in the sentence. The most important rule to note regarding German word order is that the verb in a declarative sentence (a simple statement) will always be the second element, not necessarily the second word. Let's look at the following three sentences, each identical in meaning:

• Ich spiele morgen Fuβball.
• Morgen spiele ich Fuβball.
• Fuβball spiele ich morgen.

As in English, the majority of simple German sentences will begin with a subject and be followed by the verb, as in no. 1 above, but in the second and third examples the sentences begin with an adverb (morgen) and a direct object (Fuβball), yet the verb remains a constant - always second.

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