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Main Clauses (Hauptsätze)

A main clause (or independent clause) is a complete sentence that can stand on its own. It has a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought.

The V2 (Verb-Second) Rule

The defining feature of a German main clause is the V2 Rule: the conjugated verb is always the second element.

This is true no matter what you put in the first position.

  • Der Hund spielt im Garten. (Subject = 1, Verb = 2)
  • Im Garten spielt der Hund. (Place = 1, Verb = 2)
  • Gestern spielte der Hund im Garten. (Time = 1, Verb = 2)

The Verb Bracket (Satzklammer)

In many sentences, the "verb" has two parts (e.g., perfect tenses, modal verbs, or separable verbs).

In these cases, the conjugated verb stays in Position 2, and the second verb part (infinitive, past participle) is pushed to the very end of the clause. This forms a "bracket" around the other information.

1. With Modal Verbs (wollen, müssen, können...) * Ich will heute Abend ins Kino gehen. * (I want to go to the cinema tonight.)

2. With Perfect Tense (haben / sein) * Ich habe das Buch gelesen. * (I have read the book.)

3. With Separable Verbs (anrufen, einkaufen...) * Er ruft seine Mutter an. * (He is calling his mother.)

4. With Future Tense (werden) * Wir werden am Wochenende besuchen. * (We will visit on the weekend.)