German Wortstellung im Hauptsatz Grammar (A2): Rules & Examples

Language: German
Level: A2
Unit: Satzstruktur und Nebensätze
Practice types: 4

What this grammar point covers

In German, 'Wortstellung im Hauptsatz' means the word order in a main clause (a simple sentence). It tells you where to put the subject, verb, and other words in a regular sentence.

When to use it

Use this word order when you make normal statements or yes/no questions in German main clauses.

Key forms

1. Subject – Verb – Other parts
2. The verb is always in the second position
3. If another part (like time or place) comes first, the verb is still second, and the subject comes after

Examples

Ich lerne Deutsch.

English: I am learning German.

Morgen fahre ich nach Berlin.

English: Tomorrow I go to Berlin.

Wir essen Pizza.

English: We eat pizza.

Im Sommer schwimme ich oft.

English: In summer I often swim.

Du liest ein Buch.

English: You are reading a book.

Tips

The verb is always in the second position, not always the second word.
If you start the sentence with something else (like time or place), the subject comes after the verb.
Do not put two verbs together in the second position.

Exceptions and edge cases

In yes/no questions, the verb comes first.
In subordinate clauses (with 'weil', 'dass', etc.), the verb goes to the end.

Sample exercise

ich / trage / immer / meine / blauen / Turnschuhe

Wähle die richtige Wortstellung für den Satz:

Answer: Ich trage immer meine blauen Turnschuhe.

Im deutschen Hauptsatz steht das Subjekt an erster Stelle, dann das Verb, dann die anderen Satzglieder. 'Ich trage immer meine blauen Turnschuhe.' ist korrekt.