1) In a declarative sentence, the conjugated verb occupies the second grammatical position. Example: Am Ende der Stunde gehen alle Schüler und Schülerinnen nach draußen.

The complete prepositional phrase (italicized words) is the first grammatical unit in the sentence; the verb, properly, is in the second position.

2) The verb is also second in an interrogative sentence introduced by a question word or expression. Example: Um wieviel Uhr kommt der Zug?

3) In an interrogative sentence that uses no question word or words, the conjugated verb usually comes first. In this case, the subject comes second most of the time.

4) In a subordinate clause, the conjugated verb is placed last. The conjugated verb is that verb which changes its form as the person and number of the subject change.

5) Infinitives and participles occupy the final position in a main clause and the second-last position in a subordinate clause. Example: Wir werden bald sehen, ob er den Aufsatz schon gelesen hat. In this example, the infinitive sehen is last in the main clause, while the participle gelesen is second last in the subordinate clause. Example: Hast du gestern in der Stunde tatsächlich gesagt, daß wir heute arbeiten wollten? In this example, the participle gesagt is last in the main clause, while the infinitive arbeiten is second last in the subordinate clause.

6) When a sentence is introduced by a subordinate clause, the conjugated verb comes first in the main clause.

7) When two or more adverbial expressions follow the verb, expressions of time precede expressions of manner and place, and expressions of manner precede expressions of place (time, manner, place, in that order).

Example: Alle fahren morgen (time) mit dem Zug (manner) nach Innsbruck (place). Any of these expressions may precede the verb.

8) In general, an indirect object precedes a direct object unless the direct object is a personal pronoun. Examples: Geben Sie dem Jungen das Buch da! Geben Sie ihm das Buch! Geben Sie es dem Jungen! Geben Sie es ihm!