German V2: why the verb stays in second position
In a normal German main clause, the conjugated verb tends to occupy the second structural position. The first position can contain the subject, a time expression, a place phrase or another element.
Ich lerne heute Deutsch.
Heute lerne ich Deutsch.
In Berlin lerne ich Deutsch.
Heute lerne ich Deutsch.
In Berlin lerne ich Deutsch.
The information at the front changes, but lerne remains in the second position. That is why moving heute to the front also moves the subject behind the verb.
Think in chunks, not individual words
“Second position” does not always mean “second written word”. A multi-word phrase such as Am Montag can occupy the entire first slot.
Am Montag fahre ich nach Sydney.
Quick check
Which sentence follows the normal V2 pattern?
Make German word order automatic through sentence review.
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