132. German Word Order in a Main Clause ( SVPANAPPI )
The cryptic title in this post 'SVPANAPPI' (referred to as 'SUPER NAPPY with the 'V' seen as 'u') is a mnemonic used to help you remember in what order parts of speech come in a German main clause. Let's look at them closely, but first you should understand that I have used the word 'clause' advisedly here and not 'sentence'. A clause is a discrete group of words making sense but which contains a finite verb. A sentence can have several clauses but a clause exists in its own right. As a general rule, this mnemonic works about 98% of the time if you apply it to German word order.
S = Subject of the clause - provider of the action in the clause - a noun or pronoun
The lady bought a litre of milk. She put it in her shopping basket.
The lady bought a litre of milk. She put it in her shopping basket.
V= (Finite) verb - the action word.... the verb may be part of a past or future tense
I have a new CD. I bought it yesterday. I have bought many recently. I will buy more!
P = Pronoun Object - pronouns replace nouns - the object has the action of verb happen to it. e.g. I have new shoes. I love them. Sport is fun. I love it.
A = Adverb - there are basically 3 types of adverbs (either a phrase or single word) but they usually divide into TIME MANNER or PLACE in that order. e.g. He came home quickly last night. In German this would be lit. He came last night quickly home (in that order).
N = Noun Object - verb action happens to this ... I hate prejudice.
A = Adjective - describes (pro)nouns .... the car is beautiful but it is expensive.
PP = Past Participle ... part of verb used with have, has or had in past tenses.
I have read the book but I have not seen the film yet.
I = Infinitive - part of the verb used with 'to', with modals & future tense. e.g. I must go, He will visit his aunty tomorrow. I am hoping to buy a laptop computer soon.
*** There is a bit more to word order than this and next time I will delve a little deeper into an issue that starts to get a little complicated and will need more than a little explanation.
P = Pronoun Object - pronouns replace nouns - the object has the action of verb happen to it. e.g. I have new shoes. I love them. Sport is fun. I love it.
A = Adverb - there are basically 3 types of adverbs (either a phrase or single word) but they usually divide into TIME MANNER or PLACE in that order. e.g. He came home quickly last night. In German this would be lit. He came last night quickly home (in that order).
N = Noun Object - verb action happens to this ... I hate prejudice.
A = Adjective - describes (pro)nouns .... the car is beautiful but it is expensive.
PP = Past Participle ... part of verb used with have, has or had in past tenses.
I have read the book but I have not seen the film yet.
I = Infinitive - part of the verb used with 'to', with modals & future tense. e.g. I must go, He will visit his aunty tomorrow. I am hoping to buy a laptop computer soon.
*** There is a bit more to word order than this and next time I will delve a little deeper into an issue that starts to get a little complicated and will need more than a little explanation.
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