Table of Contents
To learn German word order, you need to practice. This article gives you tasks that go from easy A1 sentences to harder B1 structures, one step at a time. The goal of each task is to help you learn more about where verbs go and how sentences flow. Don’t worry—there are answers to help you check and learn with confidence!
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Quick Recap of German Sentence Structure
The structures of German phrases are clear and logical. In significant sentences, the verb’s position shifts from second to first when the subject is interrogative. It is conventional to position the verb at the end of subordinate clauses. To maintain the natural and correct flow of your sentences, adhere to the TMP rule: Time, Manner, Place.
A brief notification before commencing practice:
- In general, the verb occupies the second position in major clauses.
- Posing a query necessitates the utilization of a verb.
- Subordinate clauses position the verb at the conclusion.
- To ensure a natural flow of phrases, follow the TMP rule: Time → Manner → Place.
Practice 1 – Basic Sentence Order (A1)
1: How do you say "Good Morning" in German?
In German, word order is important for clear meaning. The verb usually comes in the second position. Let’s start simple!
Exercise type: Rearrange the words to form correct sentences.
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(ich / Deutsch / lerne)
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(wir / heute / arbeiten)
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(sie / Kaffee / trinkt)
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(in Berlin / wohnt / er)
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(du / spielst / Fußball)
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(meine Freunde / kommen / morgen)
Answers:
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Ich lerne Deutsch.
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Wir arbeiten heute.
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Sie trinkt Kaffee.
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Er wohnt in Berlin.
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Du spielst Fußball.
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Meine Freunde kommen morgen.
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Start Learning GermanPractice 2 – Verb Position Practice
It is imperative that the verb remain in the second position in German, regardless of whether the phrase begins with the word “time” or “place.” These rules are responsible for the rhythm and organization of German.
Exercise type: Fill in the blank and choose the correct verb position.
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Heute _______ wir in der Schule. (arbeiten)
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Am Wochenende _______ ich meine Freunde. (treffen)
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In Deutschland _______ viele Menschen Rad. (fahren)
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Morgen _______ sie ins Kino. (gehen)
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Nach dem Unterricht _______ ich Hausaufgaben. (machen)
Answers:
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Heute arbeiten wir in der Schule.
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Am Wochenende treffe ich meine Freunde.
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In Deutschland fahren viele Menschen Rad.
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Morgen geht sie ins Kino.
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Nach dem Unterricht mache ich Hausaufgaben.
Practice 3 – Questions in German
In German, questions follow clear patterns. For yes/no questions, the verb comes first. For W-questions (who, what, where, etc.), the question word starts the sentence, followed by the verb and subject.
Exercise type: Convert the statements into questions.
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Du lernst Deutsch. → ____________________
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Ihr spielt Fußball. → ____________________
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Er wohnt in Berlin. → ____________________
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Sie liest ein Buch. → ____________________
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Wir gehen ins Kino. → ____________________
Answers:
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Lernst du Deutsch?
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Spielt ihr Fußball?
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Wohnt er in Berlin?
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Liest sie ein Buch?
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Gehen wir ins Kino?
Practice 4 – Modal Verbs Sentence Structure
When using modal verbs (like können, müssen, wollen, dürfen, mögen), the modal verb goes in the second position, and the main verb moves to the end of the sentence in its infinitive form.
Exercise type: Complete the sentence or correct the sentence.
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Ich _______ (müssen / Hausaufgaben / machen).
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Wir _______ (können / gut / tanzen).
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Er _______ (wollen / Arzt / werden).
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Du _______ (dürfen / nicht / rauchen).
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Sie _______ (mögen / Pizza / essen).
Answers:
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Ich muss Hausaufgaben machen.
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Wir können gut tanzen.
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Er will Arzt werden.
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Du darfst nicht rauchen.
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Sie mag Pizza essen.
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Start Learning GermanPractice 5 – Subordinate Clause Word Order (B1)
In subordinate clauses, the verb always moves to the end of the clause. These sentences are connected using conjunctions such as weil (because), dass (that), and wenn (if/when). Mastering this structure helps you sound more fluent and natural in German.
Exercise type: Join two sentences or identify the incorrect one.
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Ich gehe ins Bett. Ich bin müde. → ____________________
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Er bleibt zu Hause. Es regnet. → ____________________
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Ich denke. Du hast recht. → ____________________
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Wir kommen. Du rufst uns an. → ____________________
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Sie lacht. Sie ist glücklich. → ____________________
Answers:
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Ich gehe ins Bett, weil ich müde bin.
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Er bleibt zu Hause, weil es regnet.
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Ich denke, dass du recht hast.
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Wir kommen, wenn du uns anrufst.
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Sie lacht, weil sie glücklich ist.
Mixed Practice – Real-Life Sentences
Now it’s time to combine everything you’ve learned. These exercises use daily conversation examples with short, practical sentences. Focus on correct verb positions, word order, and subordinate clauses.
Exercise type: Rearrange, complete, or correct sentences.
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(morgen / ich / ins Kino / gehe)
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(weil / es / kalt / ist / ich / bleibe / zu Hause)
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(wann / du / kommst)
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(er / will / nach Berlin / fahren)
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(in der Schule / wir / Deutsch / lernen)
Answers:
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Morgen gehe ich ins Kino.
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Ich bleibe zu Hause, weil es kalt ist.
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Wann kommst du?
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Er will nach Berlin fahren.
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In der Schule lernen wir Deutsch.
Final Thoughts
The best method to learn German and write confidently is to practice building sentences step by step. Move on to basic sentences, then modal verbs, questions, and finally, subordinate clauses. You can apply what you learn in class to regular interactions by using examples from real life. The more you practice, the more natural the German word order will feel, so focus on consistency!
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Start Learning GermanFrequently Asked Questions
How German sentence structure differ from English?
Unlike English, German often places the verb at the end in subordinate clauses and follows the TMP (Time–Manner–Place) rule for adverbs.
Why should I practice with exercises?
Exercises help you internalize rules, improve fluency, and gain confidence in writing and speaking German.
Can beginners benefit from these exercises?
Yes! Exercises start from basic A1 sentences and gradually progress to B1 level, making them suitable for learners at all stages.
How can I improve faster in German sentence structure?
Practice regularly, read German texts, and try speaking or writing short sentences daily to reinforce correct word order.




