Word Order in Simple Sentences

Verb-second rule (V2): the verb always takes position 2

German word order follows a key rule: the conjugated verb always occupies the SECOND position in a main clause. The first position can be the subject, a time expression, or any other element — but the verb must come second. This 'verb-second' (V2) rule is fundamental to German grammar.

The conjugated verb is always in position 2 in a main clause

Position 1 can hold the subject, time expression, place, or any other element. The verb stays in position 2 no matter what comes first. Subject (S) + Verb (V) + Object (O) is the default.

When a non-subject starts the sentence, the subject moves after the verb (inversion)

Heute arbeite ich. (Today I work.) Hier wohnt meine Mutter. (Here lives my mother.) The subject comes right after the verb — never before it when something else is in position 1.

In yes/no questions, the verb moves to position 1

Arbeitest du heute? (Are you working today?) Kommt er morgen? (Is he coming tomorrow?) The verb is first, subject second.

Negation with 'nicht' typically comes at the end or before what is negated

Ich verstehe das nicht. (I don't understand that.) Ich gehe heute nicht. (I'm not going today.) Nicht before adjectives/adverbs: Das ist nicht schön.

Pattern	Position 1	Verb (pos. 2)	Rest	Example
Normal (SVO)	Subject	Verb	Object/Rest	Ich lerne Deutsch.
Inversion	Time/Place	Verb	Subject + Rest	Heute lerne ich Deutsch.
Inversion	Object first	Verb	Subject	Deutsch lerne ich jeden Tag.
Yes/No Question	Verb	Subject	Object/Rest	Lernst du Deutsch?
W-Question	W-word	Verb	Subject + Rest	Was lernst du?

Ich lerne jeden Tag Deutsch.

I learn German every day.

Normal SVO order: Subject (Ich) + Verb (lerne) + rest.

Jeden Tag lerne ich Deutsch.

Every day I learn German.

Time expression first → verb stays second → subject after verb (inversion).

In Berlin wohnt meine Schwester.

My sister lives in Berlin.

Place first → verb second → subject after verb.

Gehst du heute in die Schule?

Are you going to school today?

Yes/no question: verb first → subject second.

Ich verstehe das nicht.

I don't understand that.

Negation with 'nicht' at the end of the sentence.

Always count: what is in position 1? The verb must be in position 2. Time-Manner-Place (TMP) is the preferred order for adverbs: Ich fahre morgen mit dem Zug nach Berlin.
When you start with 'Heute', 'Morgen', 'Hier', etc., remember to invert — put the subject after the verb: Heute gehe ICH, not 'Heute ich gehe'.
German is more flexible than English in what can go in position 1 — you can emphasize different elements by moving them to the front.
In questions: yes/no questions start with the verb; W-questions start with the question word then the verb.

Forgetting inversion: ✗ Heute ich lerne Deutsch → ✓ Heute lerne ich Deutsch.
Placing the verb at the end in a main clause (this is only for subordinate clauses!): ✗ Ich Deutsch lerne → ✓ Ich lerne Deutsch.
Putting 'nicht' in the wrong position: ✗ Ich nicht verstehe → ✓ Ich verstehe nicht / Ich verstehe das nicht.

Meine Mutter kocht jeden Abend.

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Meine Mutter kocht jeden Abend.

My mother cooks every evening.

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