B2 · GRAMMAR

Sentence word order and the position of nicht

At the B2 level, your sentences get longer: time, reason, manner, place information, and two objects can all appear in the same sentence. In German, the order isn't random, but follows clear rules: TeKaMoLo (time – reason – manner – place), and for objects, Dative comes before Accusative when both are nouns, but pronouns switch the order. Meanwhile, nicht goes right before the element it negates or near the end of the sentence.

In this lesson

1. TeKaMoLo

Temporal (wann) – Kausal (warum) – Modal (wie) – Lokal (wo/wohin).

Ich fahre morgen wegen der Arbeit mit dem Zug nach Berlin.

I am traveling to Berlin tomorrow by train because of work.

2. Two noun objects

Dative first, Accusative second.

Ich gebe dem Kind den Ball.

I am giving the ball to the child.

3. Two pronouns

Accusative first, Dative second.

Ich gebe ihn ihm.

I am giving it to him.

4. Pronouns first

Pronouns come before nouns.

Ich gebe ihm den Ball.

I am giving the ball to him.

5. nicht

Whole sentence → at the end (but before the second verb). A specific element → before that element.

Ich habe das Buch nicht gelesen.

I haven't read the book.

💡 Instead of memorizing rules, memorize a few model sentences: 'Ich fahre morgen wegen der Arbeit mit dem Zug nach Berlin.' Build new sentences accordingly.