This key facts covers Key rules at a glance within Word order: verb-second (V2) and the verb bracket for GCSE German. Revise Word order: verb-second (V2) and the verb bracket in Core Grammar Toolkit for GCSE German with 10 exam-style questions and 15 flashcards. This topic shows up very often in GCSE exams, so students should be able to explain it clearly, not just recognise the term. It is section 3 of 4 in this topic. Use this key facts to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
📌 Key rules at a glance
- Finite verb: always the 2nd element in a main clause.
- Inversion: if a non-subject comes first, the subject moves to after the verb.
- Verb bracket: the 2nd verb part (infinitive / participle / separable prefix) goes to the END.
- weil / dass / wenn / obwohl: send the finite verb to the END of the clause.
- und / aber / oder / denn: no word-order change at all.
Practice questions for Word order: verb-second (V2) and the verb bracket
Which sentence correctly uses the separable verb 'aufmachen' (to open)?
Which sentence correctly uses 'weil' (because)?
Quick recall flashcards
weil
because (subordinating) -- sends the verb to the end: 'Ich lerne Deutsch, weil es nützlich ist.' Great for adding detail and earning marks in speaking and writing.
dass
that (subordinating) -- sends the verb to the end: 'Ich glaube, dass Deutschland schön ist.' Do not confuse with 'das' (the/which); 'dass' is the conjunction.