Understanding German Sentence Structure: A Simple Guide
Learning German grammar can feel like solving a puzzle. To build a sentence, you need to know the different “pieces” and how they fit together. This guide breaks down the most important components of a German sentence.
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The Predicate (Das Prädikat)
The Predicate is the heart of the sentence. It contains the verb.
- Simple Verb: “Er singt das Lied” (He sings the song).
- Two Verbs: In some sentences, the main verb moves to the end. “Er will das Lied singen” (He wants to sing the song).
- The Predicative: With verbs like sein (to be), werden (to become), or bleiben (to stay), the non-verb part is called a “Prädikativ”.
- Example: “Er ist musikalisch” (He is musical).
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The Subject (Das Subjekt)
Every verb needs a Subject. It is always in the Nominative case.
- The Question: You can find it by asking “Wer?” (Who?) or “Was?” (What?).
- Example: “Der Mann hat Tomaten gekauft” (The man bought tomatoes).
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Objects (Objekte)
Objects complete the meaning of the verb. The verb decides which “case” the object must use.
| Object Type | Question | Example |
| Accusative | Wen/Was? (Who/What?) | Er sucht einen Kollegen. |
| Dative | Wem? (To whom?) | Der Assistent hilft dem Regisseur. |
| Prepositional | Verb + Question | Der Mann wartet auf den Bus. |
| Genitive | Wessen? (Whose?) | Die Inszenierung bedarf längerer Erklärungen. |
Note: Dative objects usually refer to people affected by an action. Genitive objects are rare and often replaced by prepositional objects today.
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The Adverbial (Das Adverbial)
Adverbials provide extra information like where, when, why, or how. Unlike objects, they are optional—you can add them to almost any sentence.
- How: “Sie singt schön” (She sings beautifully).
- Where: “Sie singt in der Badewanne” (She sings in the bathtub).
- Why: “Sie singt, weil sie glücklich ist” (She sings because she is happy).
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Attributes (Das Attribut)
Attributes describe a noun in more detail.
- Left Attributes: These come before the noun (like adjectives). Example: “Das kleine Haus”.
- Right Attributes: These come after the noun (like relative clauses). Example: “Das Haus auf dem Lande“.
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Verb Valency (Valenz)
In German, verbs are like magnets; they “pull” a specific number of additions (complements) into the sentence.
- Subject + Verb: “Sie lacht”.
- Subject + Verb + Accusative: “Sie liest den Brief”.
- Subject + Verb + Dative + Accusative: “Sie gibt ihrem Freund den Brief”.