Word order (V2, subordinate clauses)
AQA GCSE German revision on Word order (V2, subordinate clauses). Aligned to the AQA GCSE German 8668 specification. This bank has 3 practice questions on this topic.
Sample questions (3 of 3)
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Question 1
In a normal German sentence, the verb goes in...
- A) Position 1
- B) Position 2
- C) Position 3
- D) The end always
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Answer: Position 2
GERMAN WORD ORDER: verb is always in 2nd position (V2) in main clauses. 'Ich gehe heute ins Kino' (I go today to the cinema) - 'gehe' is 2nd word. If you move something else to start: 'Heute gehe ich ins Kino' - still verb 2nd! 'Heute' (1st), 'gehe' (2nd), 'ich' (3rd). VERY important to grasp.
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Question 2
In a subordinate clause (after weil, dass, ob), the verb goes...
- A) Position 2
- B) At the end
- C) At the beginning
- D) Anywhere
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Answer: At the end
Subordinating conjunctions push the verb to the END of the clause: weil (because), dass (that), ob (whether), wenn (if/when), obwohl (although), während (while), bevor (before), nachdem (after). Example: 'Ich gehe ins Kino, weil ich den Film MAG.' (I go to the cinema, because I LIKE the film) - verb at end.
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Question 3
'Today I am going to school' = ?
- A) Heute ich gehe zur Schule
- B) Heute gehe ich zur Schule
- C) Ich heute gehe zur Schule
- D) Ich gehe heute zur Schule
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Answer: Ich gehe heute zur Schule
Two correct word orders depending on emphasis: 'Ich gehe heute zur Schule' (Ich first, verb 2nd) OR 'Heute gehe ich zur Schule' (Heute first, verb 2nd, ich after). Both verb in position 2. WRONG: 'Heute ich gehe zur Schule' - verb is now 3rd.
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