Verbs German grammar

german verbs may classified either weak, if form past tense dental consonant inflection, or strong, if exhibit vowel gradation (ablaut). verbs of both types regular, though various subgroups , anomalies arise. however, textbooks class strong verbs irregular. there more 200 strong , irregular verbs, , there gradual tendency strong verbs become weak.

verbs in sentence structure

in german declarative main clauses finite verb placed second element. when there more verbs in sentence, non-finite ones placed @ end of clause. subordinating conjunction, verbs appear @ end of clause. verb placed second element not mean second word, rather, second constituent of clause. instance first position may occupied article , noun, possessive pronoun, or entire subordinate clause.

examples: (underlined word indicates verb second element.)

ich spiele samstag fußball. (i play football on saturday.)
meine katze ist schwarz und weiß. (my cat black , white.)

examples: (underlined words indicate verbs both second , last elements.)

ich werde morgen nach deutschland fliegen. (i fly germany tomorrow.)
sie möchte einen besseren computer kaufen. (she would-like buy better computer.)

the following examples illustrate use of subordinate clauses first element in verb second structure: (bold words indicate subordinate clause. underlined words indicate verbs both second , last elements in sentence.)

weil du nudeln magst, wollte ich dich heute abend in ein italienisches restaurant einladen. (because pasta much, wanted invite italian restaurant evening.)
sobald ich angekommen bin, werde ich sie anrufen. (as have arrived, call you)

inside subordinate clause, introduced conjunction or relative pronoun, finite verb form comes last. examples: (bold words indicate subordinate clause, bold italicized words indicate subordinating conjunction, bold underlined words indicate verbs @ end of sentence)

ihr pulli ist aus rotem stoff, weil es ein liverpool-pulli ist. (your sweater red material, because liverpool sweater.)
ich denke, dass er essen soll. (i think should eat.)

separable verbs

german has many verbs have separable prefix can unattached root. examples aussehen, appear or look, , vorstellen, imagine, or introduce.

peter sieht fesch in seinem anzug aus. peter looks handsome (lit sharp) in suit.
lori, kennst du meine frau? ja? wer stellte euch vor? lori, know wife? yeah? introduced you?