Key learning points

1. Two-verb structures occur with modal verbs, the future tense with ‘werden’ and the perfect tense with ‘haben’ or ‘sein’.
2. In standard or inverted word order, (WO1, 2) with 2-verb structures, the infinitive or past participle comes at the end.
3. After conjunctions (WO3), the finite verb, not the past participle or infinitive, is sent to the end of the clause.
4. The BORDER acronym is a useful tool to respond fully and accurately to bullet point writing prompts.
5. When translating into German, translate the verb first - endings must match the tense and person.

Keywords

• Word order one (WO1) - subject - verb- object - the standard word order in a German sentence

• Word order two (WO2) - inverts the subject and verb in a sentence

• Word order three (WO3) - after certain conjunctions, the verb is sent to the end of the sentence or clause

• Two-verb structure - finite verb appears with a second verb, either an infinitive or past participle, at the end of the clause or sentence

Common misconception