Word Order, Part 2

Verb Position

Probably the most important factor in writing (and speaking) good German is to get the conjugated verb in the right position in the sentence. If you are having trouble writing sentences correctly, my advice for you is to practice doing the following:
 

Making Statements (with a simple sentence, that is, with one subject/verb set)

• Reduce your sentence first to a subject and verb. I / to play

• Make sure they agree in number. I play (am playing)

• Put the verb in the right tense. We'll do this first example in the present tense.
• Add a time phrase. every day

• Add a place phrase. at the athletic field

• Add with whom. with my friends

• Notice that the conjugated verb stays in the second position. Time goes before place.
• Now add a modal, change the conjugated verb (spiele) back to the infinitive, and move it to the end of the sentence. have to/must

• Now put the sentence without the modal into the past using the present perfect tense. A conjugated form of haben or sein takes the place of spielen. The conjugated form of spielen changes to the past participle; that is, spiele becomes habe gespielt.

• Now add a modal in the past tense. Remember that the modal shows the tense. Always use an infinitive with a modal.