Verb Position For Intermediate learners
Verb Position in German
In a standard German sentence, the verb is placed in the second position. However, verbs don't always have the same position in German. They can come first, second, or at the end of a sentence. Where you position the verb in a sentence depends on the type of sentence. In other words: there are three main positions for verbs in German:
Verb Second (V2)
Verb First (V1)
Verb Last (VL)
Verb Second
This pattern is seen in main clauses. The conjugated verb comes second in these types of sentences.
Ich lese ein Buch.
I am reading a book.
[subject + verb + …]
Heute lernt Maria Deutsch.
Today Maria is learning German.
[time + verb + …]
Mit meinem Freund gehe ich ins Kino.
With my friend, I am going to the cinema.
[phrase + verb + …]
When there is an auxiliary or modal verb in a sentence, the conjugated verb is placed in the second position and the main verb (infinitive or participle form) goes to the end of the sentence.
Ich kann Deutsch sprechen.
I can speak German.
Er will nach Hause gehen.
He wants to go home.
Sie soll das Buch lesen.
She should read the book.
Sometimes you have a modal, auxiliary, and main verb at the same time. In this case, the conjugated verb is placed in position two and the other verbs go to the end.
Ich habe kommen müssen.
I had to come.
Sie wird haben kommen können.
She will have been able to come.
Er wird das Buch haben lesen können.
He will have been able to read the book.
Er hätte kommen müssen sollen.
He should have had to come.
Verb First
In yes/no questions or imperative sentences, the conjugated verb comes first.
Kommst du aus Berlin?
Are you from Berlin?
Schläft das Baby?
Is the baby sleeping?
Komm hierher!
Come here!
Öffnet eure Bücher!
Open your books!
If there is a modal or auxiliary verb in a sentence, the conjugated verb comes first in a sentence and the infinitive or the main form comes last.
Kannst du Deutsch sprechen?
Can you speak German?
Willst du mitkommen gehen?
Do you want to come along?
Musst du heute arbeiten?
Do you have to work today?
Verb Last (VL)
The conjugated verb comes last in a subordinate clause, and absolutely no element can come after that.
[Subordinating Conjunction] + [Subject] + [...] + [Conjugated Verb]
Ich weiß, dass er heute kommt.
I know that he is coming today.
Sie ist glücklich, weil sie ihren Freund besucht.
She is happy because she is visiting her friend.
If there is an auxiliary or modal verb in a subordinate clause, the conjugated part will be positioned last in a sentence and the main verb comes before that.
Ich weiß, dass du Deutsch sprechen kannst.
I know that you can speak German.
Es ist möglich, dass du hättest kommen können sollen.
It's possible that you should have been able to come.
Es tut mir leid, dass ich dein Buch vergessen habe.
I'm sorry that I forgot your book.
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