Generally for simple sentences the only real rule is the conjugated verb comes second (if there's another part to the verb, the main verb (infinitive or participle) comes last. So if you want to start with something other than the subject, start with that, then the verb, then the subject, then whatever else. Normally because of the case system it will be clear what the subject is.
For complex sentences, the subordinate clause (Nebensatz) counts as a "part" of the sentence, so if you put it first, the verb of the main clause (Hauptsatz) comes next. Within the Nebensatz, the verb is the last thing.
That's all I know.
2007-08-18 00:11:29
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answer #1
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answered by Goddess of Grammar 7
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One of the problems is that the normal (for English) word order (subject-predicate-object) is changed in German as soon as you start a sentence with any other part of it than the subject.
Since in German adverbial time phrases are frequently put in front, this is the case quite often. "Wir gehen aus.", but "Morgen gehen wir aus" and "Ich habe den Film gesehen", but "Den Film habe ich gesehen", if the emphasis is on the object.
There are many rules for complex sentences in German, the main one is that in subclauses the conjugated verb goes to the very end of the subclause.
" Wir haben ihn nicht gesehen." becomes: " Es ist schade, dass wir ihn nicht gesehen haben"
I hope that clarifies things a bit for you.
2007-08-18 03:03:29
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answer #2
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answered by Anonymous
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There are so many complex sentence structures. The simple sentence, e.g. "Ich liebe dich" (I love you) follow just as in english. Here are some complex ones with multiple verbs in each:
If he had been here, then we could have had our freedom"
"wenn er hier gewesen ware, dann wurden wir unsere freiheit bekommen konnten."
"If you will come tomorrow, then you will be able to see it."
"Wenn Sie morgen hier kommen werden, dann werden Sie es sehen konnen."
The company gave the job to the man."
"Die Gesellschaft dem Mann die Stellung gab."
"The company will give the job to the man."
"Die Gesellschaft dem Mann die Stellung geben wird".
"The company would have given the job to the man but it didnt"
"Die Gesellsschaft dem Mann die Stellung geben wurde, sondern es hat es ihm gegeben nicht"
2007-08-18 01:30:04
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answer #3
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answered by polldiva 3
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how old are you
2016-02-21 22:32:25
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answer #4
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answered by Winnie 1
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