Block, Siteadmin, SkipCaptcha, Upload, Automoderated users, delete, edit, Moderators, move, protect, rollback, Administrators
27,336
edits
Changes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
mLine 256:
Line 256: − + Line 268:
Line 268: − +
Reverted edits by MagnusO (talk) to last revision by Baobab
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:
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>.'' (Lit: I have her the book in the school given.)
''Ich <u>habe</u> ihr das Buch in der Schule <u>gegeben</u>.'' (I gave her the book at school.)
In the example above, the verb ''haben'' is conjugated in the first person singular and placed just after the subject, and the past participle of ''geben'' (to give) is placed at the end of the sentence. The sentence also contains a direct object (das Buch = the book), an indirect object (ihr = her), and a place indicator (in der Schule = at school).
In the example above, the verb ''haben'' is conjugated in the first person singular and placed just after the subject, and the past participle of ''geben'' (to give) is placed at the end of the sentence. The sentence also contains a direct object (das Buch = the book), an indirect object (ihr = her), and a place indicator (in der Schule = at school).
''Ich <u>kann</u> ihn überhaupt nicht <u>verstehen</u>.'' (I can't understand him at all.)<br />
''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 will perhaps want to go to the opera tomorrow.)
''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.
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.