People, verbs and sentences
A statement has a verb in the second position
In a normal main-clause statement, the finite verb occupies the second constituent position, not necessarily the second written word. The first position can be a subject, a time expression or another whole phrase.
Ich lerne heute Deutsch. → Heute lerne ich Deutsch. → Am Samstag lerne ich Deutsch.
The two words Am Samstag together occupy one position. Starting with a time expression does not permit Heute ich lerne.
The finite verb changes with the subject. A second verb element often goes near the end, making the sentence bracket: Heute möchte ich Deutsch lernen. Use simple natural orders first; flexible German word order does not mean every permutation is equally appropriate.
- Example
- Nach dem Frühstück fährt Lea zur Arbeit.
- English
- After breakfast, Lea goes to work.
- Hinglish
- Naashte ke baad Lea kaam par jaati hai.
Ich kaufe morgen Brot. Morgen kaufe ich Brot. = I am buying bread tomorrow.
Hinglish: Main kal bread khareedoonga.
Moving the time expression does not move the finite verb out of second position.