Simple Sentence Structure
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Now let’s just start at the very beginning of sentence structure. The first sentence that you have constructed yourself in German probably consisted of no more than three words.
The student – learns – German. This sentence contains a subject – “the student”.
The subject answers the question of “who?” “Who learns German?” “The student!”
The second part of the sentence is the predicate – “learns”.
The predicate answered the question “What does the subject do?” In our case, “What does the student do?” – “He learns!”
The third and last part is the direct object – “German”.
The direct object answers the question “Who or what does the pupil learn?” – “The student learns German!”
The simplest sentence structure in English is, therefore: subject (S) – predicate (P) – direct object (dO)
Therefore, we first remember the following: S-P-dO!
To be quite honest with you, a sentence may actually consist of just two words.
So even the two words suffice: “I – go.” (S-P)
You have thereby already formed a complete sentence but give only little information.
You might wonder now why we take a step back again, even though you’ve understood the S-P-dO, after all?
I want to make you realize that a sentence can exist without an object. But it must never be without a subject or predicate!
Example: “The student – German.” (S-dO)
With this sentence, you can’t make it clear to anyone what you want to say.
However, let’s stick to the first variant (S-P-dO)!
A simple three-piece sentence already specifies the main point of your statement. However, you probably want to convey some more information through your sentence.
Nun fangen wir aber mal ganz am Anfang des Satzbaus an. Den ersten Satz, den du im Deutschen selber gebildet hast, bestand vermutlich aus nicht mehr als drei Worten.
Now let’s just start at the very beginning of sentence structure. The first sentence that you have constructed yourself in German probably consisted of no more than three words.
Der Schüler – lernt – Deutsch. Dieser Satz enthält ein Subjekt – „der Schüler“.
The student – learns – German. This sentence contains a subject – “the student”.
Das Subjekt beantwortet die Frage nach dem „wer?“ „Wer lernt Deutsch?“ „Der Schüler!“
The subject answers the question of “who?” “Who learns German?” “The student!”
Der zweite Teil des Satzes ist das Prädikat – „lernt“.
The second part of the sentence is the predicate – “learns”.
Das Prädikat beantwortet die Frage: „Was tut das Subjekt?“ In unserem Fall: „Was tut der Schüler?“ – „Er lernt!“
The predicate answered the question “What does the subject do?” In our case, “What does the student do?” – “He learns!”
Der dritte und letzte Teil ist das direkte Objekt – „Deutsch“.
The third and last part is the direct object – “German”.
Das direkte Objekt beantwortet die Frage: „Wen oder was lernt der Schüler?“ – „Der Schüler lernt Deutsch!“
The direct object answers the question “Who or what does the pupil learn?” – “The student learns German!”
Die einfachste Satzstruktur im Deutschen lautet also: Subjekt (S) – Prädikat (P) – direktes Objekt (dO)
The simplest sentence structure in English is, therefore: subject (S) – predicate (P) – direct object (dO)
Wir merken uns daher erstmal folgendes: S-P-dO!
Therefore, we first remember the following: S-P-dO!
Um ganz ehrlich mit dir zu sein, kann ein Satz tatsächlich sogar nur aus zwei Wörtern bestehen.
To be quite honest with you, a sentence may actually consist of just two words.
Es reichen also auch schon die zwei Wörter: „Ich – gehe.“ (S-P)
So even the two words suffice: “I – go.” (S-P)
Du hast somit schon einen vollständigen Satz gebildet, der jedoch nur wenig Informationen weitergibt.
You have thereby already formed a complete sentence but give only little information.
Vielleicht fragst du dich jetzt gerade, warum wir wieder einen Schritt zurückgehen, obwohl du das S-P-dO doch verstanden hast?
You might wonder now why we take a step back again, even though you’ve understood the S-P-dO, after all?
Ich möchte dir klar machen, dass ein Satz ohne Objekt stehen kann. Es darf aber niemals ohne Subjekt oder Prädikat stehen!
I want to make you realize that a sentence can exist without an object. But it must never be without a subject or predicate!
Beispiel: „Der Schüler – Deutsch.“ (S-dO)
Example: “The student – German.” (S-dO)
Mit diesem Satz kannst du keinem Menschen verständlich machen, was du gerade sagen möchtest.
With this sentence, you can’t make it clear to anyone what you want to say.
Wir bleiben jedoch bei der ersten Variante (S-P-dO)!
However, let’s stick to the first variant (S-P-dO)!
Ein einfacher drei-teiliger Satz gibt also schon einmal die Hauptinformation deiner Aussage vor. Allerdings möchtest du bestimmt noch ein paar mehr Informationen durch deinen Satz vermitteln.
A simple three-piece sentence already specifies the main point of your statement. However, you probably want to convey some more information through your sentence.