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Line 265: − Notice that however the constituent parts are arranged, the main verb always is placed in the second position.+ − This bracket construction is a defining characteristic of German word order. It is also used with modal verbs, as well as the peculiar "seperable verbs." An example of this is the verb ''abgeben'', which means to "give up." When it is the only verb appearing in the sentence, the prefix "ab" is separated from the rest of the verb, which is conjugated and placed in the second position, and the prefix is placed at the end of the sentence:+ + + + + + − + + +
→Word order
===Word order===
===Word order===
German word order in complex sentences is based on a so-called "bracket construction," with the most important parts being close to the beginning and at the end. In sentences with more than one verb, the second verb (or group of verbs) goes at the very end:
German word order in complex sentences is based on a so-called "bracket construction," with the most important parts being close to the beginning and at the end. In sentences with more than one verb, the remaining verb or verbs go at the very end:
''Ich <u>habe</u> ihr das Buch in der Schule <u>gegeben</u>.'' (I gave her the book at school.)
''Ich <u>habe</u> ihr das Buch in der Schule <u>gegeben</u>.'' (I gave her the book at school.)
''In der Schule <u>habe</u> ich ihr das Buch <u>gegeben</u>.''
''In der Schule <u>habe</u> ich ihr das Buch <u>gegeben</u>.''
This bracket construction is a defining characteristic of German word order. It is also used with modal verbs and with the future tense:
''Ich <u>kann</u> ihn überhaupt nicht <u>verstehen</u>.'' (I can't understand him at all.)<br />
''Sie <u>wird</u> vielleicht Morgen in die Oper <u>gehen</u> <u>wollen</u>.'' (She'll probably want to go to the opera tomorrow.)
Notice that however the constituent parts are arranged, the main verb always is placed in the second position, and the remaining verbs are placed at the end.
This structure also holds true for the so-called "seperable verbs." An example of this is the verb ''abgeben'', which means to "give up." When it is the only verb appearing in the sentence, the prefix "ab" is separated from the rest of the verb, which is conjugated and placed in the second position, and the prefix is placed at the end of the sentence:
''Ich <u>gebe</u> jetzt <u>ab</u>.'' (I'm giving up now.)
''Ich <u>gebe</u> jetzt <u>ab</u>.'' (I'm giving up now.)
German has many such verbs, which are always constructed from a definable preposition and a main verb. However, when using the past tense or a modal verb, these sepearable verbs appear at the end of the sentence in the appropriate form.
German has many such verbs, which are always constructed from a definable preposition and a main verb. However, when using the past tense, future tense, or a modal verb, these sepearable verbs appear at the end of the sentence in the appropriate form:
''Er <u>wird</u> irgendwann <u>abgeben</u> <u>müssen.</u>'' (He'll have to give up sometime.)
==Bibliography==
==Bibliography==