B1 Word Order 9 min read Medium

German Word Order: Pronouns Jump the Queue (Acc. Pronoun + Dat. Noun)

When using a pronoun and a noun together, the pronoun—even if Accusative—always takes the first position.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

In German, if you have an accusative pronoun and a dative noun, the pronoun must always come first.

  • Accusative Pronouns (ihn, sie, es) always jump ahead of Dative Nouns (dem Mann).
  • If both are pronouns, the Accusative still precedes the Dative (es ihm).
  • The subject remains at the start unless inverted for emphasis.
Subject + Verb + [Accusative Pronoun] + [Dative Noun]

Overview

Ever felt like German word order is a game of Tetris where the blocks keep changing shape? You finally memorize the rule that the Dative object usually comes before the Accusative object. Then, a tiny pronoun like es or ihn shows up and ruins everything.

It just jumps right to the front of the line without asking. This isn't just a random glitch in the German language software. It is actually a very logical way of organizing information.

In German, pronouns are like the VIPs of a sentence. They represent things you already know about. Because you already know what they are, they get priority seating.

This specific rule—Accusative Pronoun before Dative Noun—is one of the most common ways German speakers flip the script. It is essential for sounding like a native speaker and not a translation bot. If you say Ich gebe dem(m) Mann es, a German might still understand you.

But they will know immediately that your brain is still processing English grammar rules. Let's fix that right now and get those pronouns in the right spot.

How This Grammar Works

German sentences like to follow a specific flow of information. We usually move from 'known' information to 'new' information. Think about it.
Why do we use a pronoun like es (it)? We use it because we already mentioned the object. It is old news.
The Dative noun, however, is often the 'new' recipient in the story. Because pronouns are short, punchy, and familiar, they move toward the verb. They are grammatically 'light.' Nouns are 'heavy' and carry more specific detail.
In the battle of word order, light and familiar almost always beats heavy and new. Imagine you are at a party. You wouldn't introduce a stranger before your best friend, right?
The pronoun is your best friend. The Dative noun is the person you are introducing the friend to. It is like saying 'I give it to the(m) man' instead of 'I give the(m) man it.' This rule only applies when the Accusative object is a pronoun and the Dative object is a noun.
If both were nouns, the Dative would usually come first. If both were pronouns, the Accusative would still come first. It’s like a hierarchy of coolness.
Pronouns are just cooler than nouns in German word order. Don't take it personally if you're a noun. It’s just how the logic works.

Formation Pattern

1
Setting up this sentence structure is like following a simple recipe. You just need to keep the ingredients in the right order. Here is your step-by-step assembly guide:
2
Start with your Subject. This is the person doing the action.
3
Add your Conjugated Verb. This sits in the second position as usual.
4
Drop in the Accusative Pronoun. This is your es, ihn, sie, mich, dich, etc.
5
Place the Dative Noun next. Use the article(gender) markers here.
6
Finish with any remaining information, like time or place.
7
For example: Ich (Subject) + schicke (Verb) + es (Acc. Pronoun) + meinem(m) Bruder (Dat. Noun). Result: Ich schicke es meinem(m) Bruder. (I send it to my brother). If you have a second verb (like in the perfect tense), it still goes to the very end. The objects stay nestled together right after the main verb. It is a very tight-knit family. Don't try to shove a long adverb between the pronoun and the noun. They like to stay close.

When To Use It

You will use this pattern every single day. It is perfect for those quick, efficient exchanges. Think about texting a friend.
'Did you send the link to the(f) group?' You respond: 'Yes, I sent es (it) der Gruppe (to the group).' It is the standard way to confirm actions. Use it when you are returning something you borrowed. 'I'm bringing ihn (him/it) deinem(m) Vater (to your father).' It shows up constantly in online shopping scenarios.
'The app shows es (it) dem(m) Kurier (to the courier).' It is also the go-to structure for social media captions. 'I'm showing sie (them) meinen(m) Followern (to my followers).' Basically, any time you have already established what the 'thing' is, use the pronoun first. It makes your German sound fluid and natural.
It is much more conversational than repeating the full noun twice. Native speakers love efficiency. Using a pronoun is like using a shortcut on your keyboard.
Why type the whole word when one letter does the trick? Just make sure your shortcut is in the right lane.

Common Mistakes

The biggest trap is sticking to the 'Dative first' rule. Most textbooks drill Dativ vor Akkusativ into your head. That rule only applies to two nouns. When a pronoun enters the chat, the rule flips. Many learners say: ✗ Ich zeige meinem(m) Chef es. This sounds very clunky to a German ear. It feels like the sentence is stumbling over its own feet. Another mistake is forgetting the case of the pronoun. You need the Accusative form of the pronoun. Don't use ihm (Dative) when you mean ihn (Accusative). If you mix up the cases and the order, you’ll have a real linguistic salad. Some people also try to put the Dative noun before the verb. Unless you are writing a very dramatic poem, keep the objects after the verb. Remember: Pronoun first, Noun second. It is a simple hierarchy. If you find yourself hesitating, just think: 'Small word first, big word second.' It works 99% of the time. Also, don't forget the gender of the noun the pronoun is replacing. If you're talking about der Schlüssel, you must use ihn. Using es for everything is a classic 'tourist' mistake. German nouns are sensitive about their identity. Respect their gender even when they're just a pronoun.

Contrast With Similar Patterns

To truly master this, you need to see how it fits with other patterns. Let's compare the three main scenarios for objects.
  • Scenario A: Two Nouns. Order: Dative -> Accusative. Example: Ich gebe der Frau den(m) Apfel. This is the 'default' setting you learned in A1.
  • Scenario B: Pronoun + Noun. Order: Pronoun (any case) -> Noun. Example: Ich gebe ihn der Frau. (Accusative Pronoun first). Example 2: Ich gebe ihr den(m) Apfel. (Dative Pronoun first). Notice a theme? The pronoun always wins against the noun.
  • Scenario C: Two Pronouns. Order: Accusative -> Dative. Example: Ich gebe es ihr. This is the ultimate flip. When it's two pronouns, Accusative takes the lead.
Think of it as a game of 'Rock, Paper, Scissors.' Pronoun beats Noun. Accusative Pronoun beats Dative Pronoun. It's a hierarchy of grammatical weight.
The 'lighter' the word, the further left it wants to move. This is why the Accusative pronoun is the champion of moving to the front. It is usually short (es, ihn, sie) and very common.
By contrast, Dative nouns are often long and descriptive. They take up more space in the brain, so they stay further back in the sentence. Understanding this contrast helps you stop 'calculating' and start 'feeling' the rhythm.

Quick FAQ

Q

Does this rule change if I use a modal verb like können?

No, the order stays the same. The objects still follow the main verb. Ich kann es dem(m) Lehrer erklären.

Q

What if I have multiple pronouns?

If both are pronouns, Accusative comes before Dative. Ich zeige es ihm.

Q

Is it ever okay to put the Dative noun first with a pronoun?

Only if you want to emphasize the noun specifically. But for 99% of normal speaking, put the pronoun first.

Q

Does this apply to all verbs with two objects?

Yes, common ones like geben, schicken, zeigen, leihen, and schenken all follow this.

Q

Why does German make this so complicated?

It's actually about focus. We put what we already know (pronoun) before the new information (noun). It's very efficient!

Q

Do I use the same rule in the past tense?

Yes. Ich habe es der Frau gegeben. The objects stay in the same spot relative to the auxiliary verb.

Q

What if the noun is plural?

The rule remains. Ich schicke sie den(m) Kindern. (I send them to the children).

Q

Is this rule for formal and informal German?

Absolutely. It is a fundamental part of German syntax in all social contexts.

Q

What is the most common pronoun used here?

Definitely es. We use it for neutral nouns and general 'things' all the time.

Q

Can I use this with people as pronouns?

Yes. Ich stelle dich meiner(f) Mutter vor. (I introduce you to my mother). Dich is the Accusative pronoun.

Q

Does the 'TE-KA-MO-LO' rule affect this?

Generally, these objects come before the time, manner, and place elements.

Q

How do I remember this quickly?

Think: 'Short words are fast, they run to the front.' Pronouns are short, nouns are long.

Q

Is there a joke about this?

Why did the Dative noun get mad at the Accusative pronoun? Because the pronoun always 'passed' it in the fast lane!

Q

Can I use names instead of nouns?

Yes. Names act like nouns. Ich gebe es Lukas.

Q

Does this rule apply to 'man' as a pronoun?

No, 'man' is a subject pronoun. This rule is for object pronouns.

Q

Is it common in spoken German?

It's unavoidable. You'll hear it in every conversation from the bakery to the boardroom.

Q

What if I forget and put the noun first?

You'll sound a bit like a robot, but people will usually still understand the meaning.

Q

Should I practice this with specific verbs?

Yes, focus on geben, zeigen, and erklären. They are the most common 'two-object' verbs.

Q

Is it B1 level because of the complexity?

It's B1 because you're moving beyond simple sentences into more natural, fluid communication.

Q

Can I use this on my German exam?

Yes! Using this correctly is a great way to show the examiner you have 'native-like' word order.

Object Order in German

Subject Verb Accusative Pronoun Dative Noun
Ich
gebe
es
{dem|m} Mann
Du
zeigst
ihn
{der|f} Frau
Er
schickt
sie
{dem|n} Kind
Wir
kaufen
es
{dem|m} Lehrer
Sie
leiht
ihn
{der|f} Chefin
Ihr
erklärt
es
{dem|m} Arzt

Meanings

This rule dictates that when a sentence contains both an accusative pronoun and a dative noun, the pronoun must occupy the earlier position in the sentence structure.

1

Pronoun-Noun Interaction

The standard placement when one object is a pronoun and the other is a noun.

“Ich schicke ihn {dem|m} Lehrer.”

“Sie zeigt sie {der|f} Frau.”

Reference Table

Reference table for German Word Order: Pronouns Jump the Queue (Acc. Pronoun + Dat. Noun)
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Subj + Verb + Acc. Pronoun + Dat. Noun
Ich gebe es {dem|m} Mann.
Negative
Subj + Verb + Acc. Pronoun + nicht + Dat. Noun
Ich gebe es nicht {dem|m} Mann.
Question
Verb + Subj + Acc. Pronoun + Dat. Noun
Gibst du es {dem|m} Mann?
Modal Verb
Subj + Modal + Acc. Pronoun + Dat. Noun + Inf.
Ich will es {dem|m} Mann geben.
Perfect Tense
Subj + Aux + Acc. Pronoun + Dat. Noun + Part.
Ich habe es {dem|m} Mann gegeben.
Reflexive
Subj + Verb + Refl. + Acc. Pronoun + Dat. Noun
Ich zeige es mir {dem|m} Mann.

Formality Spectrum

Formal
Ich überreiche es {dem|m} Herrn.

Ich überreiche es {dem|m} Herrn. (Giving an object)

Neutral
Ich gebe es {dem|m} Mann.

Ich gebe es {dem|m} Mann. (Giving an object)

Informal
Ich geb's {dem|m} Typen.

Ich geb's {dem|m} Typen. (Giving an object)

Slang
Ich drück's {dem|m} Typen in die Hand.

Ich drück's {dem|m} Typen in die Hand. (Giving an object)

The Pronoun Priority Rule

Accusative Pronoun

Must come before

  • Dative Noun Indirect Object
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Examples by Level

1

Ich gebe es {dem|m} Kind.

I give it to the child.

2

Er zeigt sie {der|f} Frau.

He shows it to the woman.

3

Wir schicken ihn {dem|m} Lehrer.

We send him to the teacher.

4

Sie kauft es {dem|n} Baby.

She buys it for the baby.

1

Gibst du es {dem|m} Mann?

Are you giving it to the man?

2

Ich bringe ihn {der|f} Chefin.

I am bringing him to the boss.

3

Sie leiht sie {dem|m} Freund.

She lends it to the friend.

4

Er erklärt es {dem|m} Schüler.

He explains it to the student.

1

Ich habe es {dem|m} Kunden geschickt.

I have sent it to the customer.

2

Könntest du es {der|f} Nachbarin geben?

Could you give it to the neighbor?

3

Er hat sie {dem|m} Arzt gezeigt.

He has shown it to the doctor.

4

Wir werden ihn {dem|m} Trainer vorstellen.

We will introduce him to the coach.

1

Obwohl er es {dem|m} Kollegen versprochen hatte, vergaß er es.

Although he had promised it to the colleague, he forgot it.

2

Man sollte es {der|f} Polizei melden.

One should report it to the police.

3

Er reichte es {dem|m} Vorsitzenden weiter.

He passed it on to the chairman.

4

Sie hat ihn {der|f} Jury empfohlen.

She has recommended him to the jury.

1

Hätte er es {dem|m} Experten früher gegeben, wäre das Problem gelöst.

Had he given it to the expert earlier, the problem would be solved.

2

Es ist wichtig, dass man es {dem|m} Vorgesetzten direkt mitteilt.

It is important that one communicates it directly to the superior.

3

Sie überließ es {dem|m} Schicksal.

She left it to fate.

4

Man darf es {der|f} Öffentlichkeit nicht vorenthalten.

One must not withhold it from the public.

1

Indem er es {dem|m} Kritiker vorlegte, erhoffte er sich eine Stellungnahme.

By submitting it to the critic, he hoped for a statement.

2

Man sollte es {dem|m} Unwissenden behutsam erklären.

One should explain it gently to the ignorant person.

3

Er vertraute es {der|f} Obhut {des|m} Wächters an.

He entrusted it to the care of the guard.

4

Es obliegt ihm, es {dem|m} Gremium vorzulegen.

It is incumbent upon him to present it to the committee.

Easily Confused

German Word Order: Pronouns Jump the Queue (Acc. Pronoun + Dat. Noun) vs TeKaMoLo

Learners try to put time before the pronoun.

German Word Order: Pronouns Jump the Queue (Acc. Pronoun + Dat. Noun) vs Dative vs Accusative

Mixing up the cases.

German Word Order: Pronouns Jump the Queue (Acc. Pronoun + Dat. Noun) vs Pronoun + Pronoun

Thinking the rule only applies to nouns.

Common Mistakes

✗

Ich gebe {dem|m} Mann es.

✓

Ich gebe es {dem|m} Mann.

English word order is not German word order.
✗

Ich gebe es Mann.

✓

Ich gebe es {dem|m} Mann.

Missing the dative article.
✗

Ich gebe dem Mann ihn.

✓

Ich gebe ihn {dem|m} Mann.

Pronoun must be first.
✗

Ich es gebe {dem|m} Mann.

✓

Ich gebe es {dem|m} Mann.

Verb must be in second position.
✗

Gibst {dem|m} Mann es?

✓

Gibst du es {dem|m} Mann?

Subject is missing.
✗

Ich habe es gegeben {dem|m} Mann.

✓

Ich habe es {dem|m} Mann gegeben.

Participle must be at the end.
✗

Ich gebe es dem Frau.

✓

Ich gebe es {der|f} Frau.

Wrong dative article.
✗

Ich gebe es nicht dem Mann.

✓

Ich gebe es dem Mann nicht.

Negation placement can be tricky.
✗

Ich gebe es dem Mann, weil er es braucht.

✓

Ich gebe es dem Mann, weil er es braucht.

This is correct, but learners often mess up the subordinate clause order.
✗

Ich gebe es dem Mann heute.

✓

Ich gebe es dem Mann heute.

Time usually follows objects.
✗

Es dem Mann gebe ich.

✓

Dem Mann gebe ich es.

Emphasis rules are complex.
✗

Ich gebe es dem Mann, den ich kenne.

✓

Ich gebe es dem Mann, den ich kenne.

Relative clause placement.
✗

Ich gebe es dem Mann, obwohl er es nicht will.

✓

Ich gebe es dem Mann, obwohl er es nicht will.

Conjunction placement.

Sentence Patterns

Ich gebe ___ {dem|m} ___.

Hast du ___ {der|f} ___ gegeben?

Ich werde ___ {dem|n} ___ erklären.

Könntest du ___ {dem|m} ___ schicken?

Real World Usage

Texting very common

Hab's {dem|m} Chef geschickt.

Job Interview common

Ich habe es {dem|m} Team präsentiert.

Ordering Food occasional

Geben Sie es {dem|m} Fahrer.

Social Media common

Hab es {der|f} Community gezeigt.

Travel common

Können Sie es {dem|m} Schaffner geben?

Email very common

Ich habe es {dem|m} Kunden weitergeleitet.

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💡

Pronoun First

Always scan for pronouns before nouns. If you see one, put it first!
⚠️

Don't translate word-for-word

English might let you get away with weird orders, but German won't.
🎯

Focus on the Verb

The verb is the anchor. Everything else orbits around it.
💬

Natural Flow

Native speakers use this rule to keep the sentence flow smooth.

Smart Tips

Ask yourself: is it a pronoun? If yes, move it to the front!

Ich gebe dem Mann es. → Ich gebe es dem Mann.

Check your object order to ensure professional flow.

Ich habe geschickt dem Kunden es. → Ich habe es dem Kunden geschickt.

Focus on the pronoun first; the rest will follow.

Ich gebe dem Lehrer ihn. → Ich gebe ihn dem Lehrer.

Remember: Pronouns are VIPs.

Ich gebe dem Kind es. → Ich gebe es dem Kind.

Pronunciation

Ich GE-be es dem MANN.

Emphasis

The pronoun is usually unstressed, while the noun receives the sentence stress.

Falling

Ich gebe es {dem|m} Mann. ↘

Statement of fact.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Pronouns are VIPs; they always get the front seat.

Visual Association

Imagine a VIP (the pronoun) walking past a line of regular people (the nouns) to get to the front of the line.

Rhyme

If it's a pronoun, put it in front, don't let the noun take the brunt.

Story

Hans is holding a gift. He sees his teacher. Because the gift is 'it' (es), he runs past the teacher to put the gift on the desk first. He says 'Ich gebe es dem Lehrer'.

Word Web

ihnsiees{dem|m}{der|f}{dem|n}

Challenge

Write 5 sentences using 'es' and a dative noun of your choice in 5 minutes.

Cultural Notes

Germans value precision; following this rule shows you respect the language structure.

Austrians often use more formal titles, but the word order remains the same.

Swiss German speakers follow the same syntactic rules in Standard German.

This rule stems from the Proto-Germanic tendency to place unstressed pronominal elements early in the clause.

Conversation Starters

“

Wem gibst du das Buch?

“

Was machst du mit dem Schlüssel?

“

Wie hast du das Problem gelöst?

“

Was empfiehlst du dem Kunden?

Journal Prompts

Describe a gift you gave someone.
Write about a work task you completed.
Explain a complex situation to a friend.
Reflect on a professional recommendation.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Fill in the blank.

Ich gebe ___ {dem|m} Mann.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: es
Accusative pronoun must be first.
Choose the correct sentence. Multiple Choice

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ich gebe es dem Mann.
Pronoun before noun.
Fix the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Ich schicke {dem|m} Lehrer ihn.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ich schicke ihn {dem|m} Lehrer.
Pronoun must come first.
Transform to pronoun. Sentence Transformation

Ich gebe das Buch {dem|m} Mann. -> Ich gebe ___ {dem|m} Mann.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: es
Das Buch is neuter.
Reorder the words. Sentence Building

gebe / es / ich / {dem|m} / Mann

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ich gebe es {dem|m} Mann.
Standard order.
Match the pronoun to the noun. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: das Kind, der Mann, die Frau
Gender matching.
True or False? True False Rule

Pronouns always come after nouns.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: False
Pronouns always come before nouns.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Wo ist das Paket? B: Ich gebe es ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {dem|m} Postboten
Dative case required.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the blank.

Ich gebe ___ {dem|m} Mann.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: es
Accusative pronoun must be first.
Choose the correct sentence. Multiple Choice

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ich gebe es dem Mann.
Pronoun before noun.
Fix the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Ich schicke {dem|m} Lehrer ihn.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ich schicke ihn {dem|m} Lehrer.
Pronoun must come first.
Transform to pronoun. Sentence Transformation

Ich gebe das Buch {dem|m} Mann. -> Ich gebe ___ {dem|m} Mann.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: es
Das Buch is neuter.
Reorder the words. Sentence Building

gebe / es / ich / {dem|m} / Mann

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ich gebe es {dem|m} Mann.
Standard order.
Match the pronoun to the noun. Match Pairs

Match: es, ihn, sie

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: das Kind, der Mann, die Frau
Gender matching.
True or False? True False Rule

Pronouns always come after nouns.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: False
Pronouns always come before nouns.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Wo ist das Paket? B: Ich gebe es ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {dem|m} Postboten
Dative case required.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

15 exercises
Put the words in the correct order. Sentence Reorder

zeige / ich / es / {meiner|f} Mutter

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ich zeige es {meiner|f} Mutter.
Translate into German. Translation

I am giving it (the key) to the man.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ich gebe ihn {dem|m} Mann.
Complete the sentence: 'Wir erklären (es / {den|m} Studenten).' Fill in the Blank

Wir erklären ______.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: es {den|m} Studenten
Which response is correct? 'Hast du {den|m} Brief {der|f} Post gegeben?' Multiple Choice

Yes, I gave it to them.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ja, ich habe ihn {der|f} Post gegeben.
Match the English to the German. Match Pairs

Match the sentences:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I lend it to the brother | Ich leihe es {dem|m} Bruder
Correct the order: 'Schickst du {deinem|m} Vater sie?' (sie = the photos) Error Correction

Schickst du {deinem|m} Vater sie?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Schickst du sie {deinem|m} Vater?
Reorder the sentence correctly. Sentence Reorder

es / er / überweist / {dem|m} Vermieter

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Er überweist es {dem|m} Vermieter.
Pick the most natural German sentence. Multiple Choice

Talking about a movie recommendation.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ich empfehle ihn {meinen|m} Kollegen.
Fill in the blank. Fill in the Blank

Kannst du ______ bringen? (the glass / to the guest)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: es {dem|m} Gast
Translate: 'I am showing them to the teacher.' Translation

I am showing them to the teacher.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ich zeige sie {dem|m} Lehrer.
Fix the mistake: 'Ich schenke {der|f} Freundin es.' Error Correction

Ich schenke {der|f} Freundin es.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ich schenke es {der|f} Freundin.
Put it together. Sentence Reorder

wir / sie / {den|m} Kindern / vorlesen

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Wir lesen sie {den|m} Kindern vor.
Which is correct for a job interview scenario? Multiple Choice

I send it (the CV) to the HR manager.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ich schicke ihn {der|f} Personalabteilung.
Fill the gap. Fill in the Blank

Opa erzählt ______.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: sie {den|m} Enkeln
Translate: 'Return it to the shop!' Translation

Return it to the shop!

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Bring es {dem|m} Laden zurück!

Score: /15

FAQ (8)

Yes, all accusative pronouns must precede dative nouns.

The accusative pronoun still comes before the dative pronoun.

No, it is a standard part of German syntax.

It helps distinguish known information from new information.

Yes, but it sounds very emphatic and is rare.

Yes, the rule is independent of the verb.

Negation usually follows the objects.

Yes, this is standard across all German-speaking regions.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

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In Other Languages

Spanish moderate

Se lo doy al hombre.

Pronoun position relative to the verb.

French moderate

Je le donne à l'homme.

Verb-pronoun order.

Japanese low

Sore o otoko ni ageru.

Verb position.

Arabic partial

A'taytuhu lil-rajul.

Pronoun is a suffix, not a separate word.

Chinese low

Wo ba ta gei le na ge nan ren.

Use of 'ba' marker.

English high

I give it to the man.

English is less rigid about pronoun-noun order.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
German Word Order: Dative Noun before Accusative Noun
Next
German Word Order: The TeKaMoLo Rule

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Adolf Hitler’s Speech in 1935 at the Krupp Factory Germany 04:34

Adolf Hitler’s Speech in 1935 at the Krupp Factory Germany

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