German word order follows two rules that explain almost every pattern you will encounter. In a main clause (Hauptsatz) the verb always occupies position 2 — no matter what comes first. In a subordinate clause (Nebensatz) the verb moves to the very end. Everything else in German sentence structure flows from those two rules.
The conjugated verb always sits in position 2. Position 1 can hold the subject, a time expression, or almost anything else — but the moment it moves, the verb stays in position 2 and the subject shifts to position 3.
Subject in position 1 — the default order.
Time expression in position 1 — verb stays in position 2, subject moves to position 3.
Subordinating conjunctions introduce a Nebensatz (subordinate clause). They push the conjugated verb all the way to the end of that clause. The Hauptsatz and Nebensatz are separated by a comma.
weil ich krank bin · dass er kommt · obwohl es regnet
The verb "bin" is pushed to the very end of the Nebensatz.
dass introduces indirect speech — verb goes to the end.
A Nebensatz can come before the Hauptsatz. When it does, the entire subordinate clause fills position 1. The Hauptsatz verb must still be in position 2 — which means it is the very first word of the Hauptsatz section, immediately after the comma.
The whole Nebensatz fills position 1. "gehe" is position 2 — the first word after the comma.
Same pattern with obwohl. The subject "wir" is pushed to position 3.
Coordinating conjunctions join two complete Hauptsatz clauses. They sit between the clauses but are not part of either one — they do not occupy position 1, so the word order of both clauses is unchanged.
These conjunctions sit outside the clause. Word order on both sides is normal.
"aber" sits between the two clauses. Verb in the second clause is still in position 2.
| Level | I can… | Example |
|---|---|---|
| A1 | Build simple Hauptsatz sentences with the verb in position 2. | Heute lerne ich Deutsch. |
| A2 | Join clauses with und/aber; form a Nebensatz with weil or dass; front a Nebensatz and invert correctly. | Weil ich krank bin, gehe ich zum Arzt. |
| B1 | Use obwohl, während, bevor and nachdem; handle verb inversion confidently in speech. | Obwohl es spät war, haben wir weitergearbeitet. |
| B2 | Chain multiple clauses; use dass and ob in indirect speech; vary position 1 for emphasis and style. | Er fragte, ob ich kommen würde, obwohl er die Antwort schon kannte. |