Word order when stating a time or place
Word order is variable in sentences containing information about a time or place. The time or place may be located:
- after the verb:
Caroline hat manchmal schlechte Laune.
Caroline is sometimes in a bad mood.
Die Gäste schlafen im Hotel.
The guests were sleeping in the hotel.
- before the verb:
Manchmal hat Caroline schlechte Laune.
Sometimes Caroline is in a bad mood.
Zuerst macht das Personal einen Plan.
First, the staff make a plan.
Um 8 Uhr gehe ich arbeiten.
At 8 o'clock, I go to work.
Remember:
- The time always comes first if both the time and place are located after the verb.
Anna war im Oktober auf Hawaii.
Anna was in Hawaii in October.
- You can add emphasis to the time/place by positioning it at the start of the sentence.
In drei Wochen fahren wir endlich in den Urlaub.
In three weeks we are finally going on vacation.
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