German grammar: Wortstellung im Hauptsatz

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

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.