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Die Verbklammer — The Verb Always Comes Second
🥈 Die Verbklammer — The Verb Always Comes Second
German word order has one golden rule — the finite verb is always the SECOND element in a main clause. And when there is a second verb part (an infinitive, a participle, a separable prefix), it jumps right to the very end of the sentence. Master these two rules and your German sentences will come out correct every time.
The V2 rule — the finite verb is element number two
Whatever comes first, the verb stays in position 2 — and if something other than the subject comes first, the subject moves to AFTER the verb. This swap is called inversion.
Earn the mark scheme marks
💡 Exam Tips & Common Errors
- Count to the verb — it must be the 2nd element of any main clause. If it isn't, your word order is wrong.
- After weil or dass, push the verb to the very end of the clause.
- Never copy English word order — English keeps subject-then-verb after time words (Today I go), but German inverts (Heute gehe ich).
- For two verb parts, place the changeable one second and the fixed one (infinitive, participle, prefix) last.
❌ Common error: Heute ich gehe ins Kino.
✓ Correct: Heute gehe ich ins Kino.
Why it costs marks: when a sentence starts with anything other than the subject (here Heute), German keeps the verb in second position, so the verb comes BEFORE the subject. Heute ich gehe uses English word order and is a V2 error that costs AO3 marks.