Rules for word order with modal and auxiliary verbs
The basic rule for word order with modal and auxiliary verbs in German is that the conjugated modal or auxiliary verb takes the second position in the sentence, while the main verb goes to the end of the clause in its infinitive form. When there are two verbs, such as a modal and a main verb or an auxiliary and a past participle, the modal or auxiliary is conjugated and placed in the second position, and the main verb or past participle is placed at the very end.
In sentences with more than two verbs, the conjugated verb still takes the second position, and the other verbs appear in the final position in reverse order of their “throw” or occurrence in English. This is often called the “left bracket” (conjugated verb in second position) and the “right bracket” (non-finite verbs at the end) structure.
For example:
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With a modal verb: “Du sollst nach dem Essen deine Hände waschen.” (You should wash your hands after eating.)
- “sollst” (modal verb, conjugated) is in the second position.
- “waschen” (main verb, infinitive) is at the end.
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Perfect tense with auxiliary: “Mein Vater hat gestern Abend für uns gekocht.” (My father cooked for us last night.)
- “hat” (auxiliary verb, conjugated) is in the second position.
- “gekocht” (past participle) is at the end.
In questions with modal verbs, the order changes to modal verb + subject + main verb infinitive.
Overall, the key is:
- The conjugated modal or auxiliary verb occupies the second position.
- The main verb (infinitive or past participle) goes to the end.
- In multiple-verb constructions, the conjugated verb remains in second position, and all other verbs line up at the end in reverse order of their usage in English.
These are consistent patterns for word order with modal and auxiliary verbs in German sentences. 2, 5, 6, 7