A1 · Building sentences · about 10 min
The sentence bracket
Satzklammer
A verb with two parts splits: one part in position 2, the other at the end: Ich muss heute arbeiten.
Learn first:Main clause: verb in position 2Yes/no questions and W-questionsSeparable and inseparable verbsModal verbs in the present tensePresent perfect with haben
The parts of a sentence
| Part | What goes there |
|---|---|
| Vorfeld (position 1) | One part of the sentence before the verb (in statements). |
| Left bracket | The conjugated verb (the part that changes for ich, du, er …). |
| Mittelfeld (middle) | Objects, time, place and other details, and the subject if it is not in position 1. |
| Right bracket | The second verb part: prefix, infinitive or past participle. |
| Nachfeld (after the end) | Usually empty at A1. |
The main points
- Two verb parts make a bracket around the sentence.
- The conjugated verb is in position 2 (or 1 in yes/no questions).
- The second part goes to the end: prefix, infinitive or participle.
- Everything else, including nicht, goes in the middle.
- Modal + separable verb: one word at the end (aufräumen).