German word order: the verb-second rule and beyond
Where does the verb go? Why does weil send it to the end? The essential rules of German sentence structure, explained simply.
German word order feels strange at first, but it rests on a few firm rules. Master the position of the verb and most sentences fall into place.
Rule one: the verb is second
In a main clause, the conjugated verb is always the second element — not necessarily the second word, the second unit. You can start with the subject, a time, or a place, but the verb stays in slot two: Heute gehe ich ins Kino. Ins Kino gehe ich heute.
Rule two: time, manner, place
When you stack details in the middle of a sentence, the natural order is time (when) → manner (how) → place (where): Ich fahre morgen mit dem Bus zur Arbeit. Tomorrow, by bus, to work.
Rule three: subordinate clauses send the verb to the end
- Subordinating conjunctions push the verb to the very end: weil, dass, wenn, obwohl, ob.
- Ich bleibe zu Hause, weil ich krank bin. (bin lands last)
- Coordinating conjunctions do NOT: und, oder, aber, denn keep normal order.
When a sentence starts with a subordinate clause, the main clause then begins with its verb — two verbs meet in the middle: Weil ich krank bin, bleibe ich zu Hause.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the verb go to the end after weil?
weil is a subordinating conjunction, and these always send the conjugated verb to the final position of the clause. dass, wenn and obwohl behave the same way.
What is the verb-second rule?
In a German main clause the conjugated verb is the second element. Whatever you put first — subject, time or place — the verb still comes right after it.