A1 Grammar · Unit 5 · Topic 10 of 29
Sentence Structure: The Verb Is Always in Position 2
In a German sentence, the conjugated verb always goes in position 2. Position 2 means the second slot, not the second word. "Mein Name" is one slot.
Position 1 can be the subject, a time word, or a place. Whatever comes first, the verb stays second.
| Position 1 | Position 2 | Rest |
|---|---|---|
| Ich | bin | Geeta. |
| Mein Name | ist | Ram Sharma. |
| Heute | lerne | ich Deutsch. |
| Am Nachmittag | spielt | Mohan Cricket. |
Common mistakes
Don't count words. "Am Nachmittag" is one slot. And don't move the verb to the end. In a main clause, it stays second.
Memory trick
The verb is the king in the second chair. Anything can sit in the first chair, but the king never moves.
Practice
Start with the underlined word.
- Ich gehe morgen ins Kino. (Morgen ...)
- Wir trinken am Abend Tee. (Am Abend ...)
Show answers
Answers: Morgen gehe ich ins Kino. / Am Abend trinken wir Tee.