German Grammar Hub

Understand German Grammar Faster

Browse the grammar system by level and category, then open clear explanations with practical examples.

388 Total Rules
71 Chapters
6 CEFR level
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Active filters: CEFR level: B2
B2 Word Order Verified

German Word Order: Time-Manner-Place (Te-Mo-Lo)

Always put the 'When' before the 'How' and the 'How' before the 'Where' in German sentences.

  • • Te-Mo-Lo: Time, Manner, Place is the standard Germ...
  • • Temporal (Time) always comes first to set the scen...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B2 Prepositions Verified

Going Into Places: In + Accusative (Wohin?)

Movement into a space requires `in` plus the Accusative case to show direction rather than location.

  • • Use `in` + Accusative when moving from outside to...
  • • The key question to ask is *Wohin?* (Where to?).
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B2 Verb Tenses Verified

Separable Verbs in the Past (Perfekt)

For separable verbs in the past, always sandwich the 'ge' between the prefix and the verb stem.

  • • Separable verbs place 'ge' between the prefix and...
  • • The prefix always comes first, followed by 'ge', t...
11 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B2 Word Order Verified

Separable Prefixes: The Sentence Bracket (Trennbare Verben)

Separable prefixes create a 'sentence bracket' by moving to the end in main clauses but staying attached in subordinates.

  • • Separable prefixes move to the absolute end of the...
  • • In subordinate clauses (dass, weil), the prefix an...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B2 Case System Verified

Possessive Genitive: Showing Ownership (Genitiv)

The Genitive case signals possession and formal relationships, making your German sound sophisticated, professional, and precise.

  • • Shows possession or belonging between two nouns.
  • • Masculine and Neuter articles become {des|m}/{des|...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B2 Case System Verified

Genitive with Proper Names (Marias Buch, Max' Auto)

Use a simple -s or an apostrophe to show possession with names, avoiding the common English-style apostrophe error.

  • • Add -s to names ending in vowels or most consonant...
  • • Use an apostrophe (') for names ending in s, z, x,...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B2 Prepositions Verified

Explaining Why: wegen (Genitive Preposition)

Mastering 'wegen' with the Genitive case instantly elevates your German from casual conversation to professional, B2-level proficiency.

  • • Wegen means 'because of' and usually requires the...
  • • Masculine/Neuter nouns take 'des' + '-s'; Feminine...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B2 Prepositions Verified

German Genitive Preposition: despite (trotz)

Use `trotz` + Genitive to show something happened despite an obstacle, keeping your language punchy and professional.

  • • Trotz means 'despite' or 'in spite of' and always...
  • • Masculine/Neuter nouns take the 'des' article and...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B2 Prepositions Verified

Formal Reasons: aufgrund (Due to)

Use `aufgrund` + Genitive noun in formal writing to explain a reason ("due to").

  • • Means "due to" (formal)
  • • Requires Genitive case
10 examples 1 exercises 1 FAQ
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B2 Prepositions Verified

German Genitive Preposition: infolge (due to)

Use `infolge` + Genitive to professionally explain direct consequences in news, business, and formal settings.

  • • Means 'as a result of' or 'due to'.
  • • Requires the Genitive case grammar superglue.
12 examples 1 exercises 1 FAQ
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B2 Infinitive Constructions Verified

German Infinitive with 'zu' (Infinitiv mit zu)

The infinitive with `zu` streamlines sentences by connecting actions without repeating the subject, placing the verb at the end.

  • • Used to link two actions when the subject remains...
  • • The word `zu` always appears directly before the f...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B2 Infinitive Constructions Verified

Infinitive without 'zu' (Infinitiv ohne zu)

Certain verbs like modals, movement, and perception verbs skip `zu` and place the infinitive at the sentence end.

  • • Modal verbs like `können` and `müssen` never use `...
  • • Perception verbs like `sehen` and `hören` drop the...
11 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B2 Infinitive Constructions Verified

Saving the Spot: Anticipatory 'es' with Infinitive Clauses

Use `es` to introduce long infinitive actions, keeping your sentences balanced and grammatically complete.

  • • Use `es` as a placeholder for a following *zu* + i...
  • • Place `es` in Position 1 or as an object after the...
11 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B2 Prepositions Verified

German Pronominal Adverbs (da-compounds)

Use `da(r) + Preposition` to reference things and ideas, but use personal pronouns for people and animals.

  • • Used to refer to inanimate objects or abstract ide...
  • • Formed by da- + preposition (consonants) or dar- +...
10 examples 1 exercises 1 FAQ
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B2 Relative Clauses Verified

Who's That? German Relative Pronouns (Nominative)

Relative pronouns act as subjects in sub-clauses, matching the noun's gender and pushing the verb to the end.

  • • Relative pronouns link two sentences to describe a...
  • • In Nominative, they match the gender and number of...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B2 Relative Clauses Verified

German Relative Pronouns: The Object Form (den, die, das)

Relative pronouns in accusative match the noun's gender but take the object's case, with verbs always at the end.

  • • Relative pronouns link two sentences by describing...
  • • Only the masculine relative pronoun changes form i...
11 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B2 Relative Clauses Verified

The 'To Whom' Glue: Dative Relative Pronouns

Use 'dem', 'der', or 'denen' based on the noun's gender and its role (Dative) inside the relative clause.

  • • Connects sentences using Dative verbs/prepositions...
  • • Masculine/Neuter use 'dem', Feminine uses 'der'.
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B2 Verb Moods Verified

Who did it? Passive Agent with 'von' (von + Dativ)

Use `von` with the Dative case to identify the person or active organization responsible for a passive action.

  • • Use `von` + Dative to name the person/agent in a p...
  • • The agent is usually a person, animal, or an insti...
12 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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Start with your CEFR level — from A0 Zero Point to C2 Mastery. Not sure? Begin at A0 and progress at your own pace.

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Frequently Asked Questions About German Grammar

SubLearn covers 388 German grammar rules organized across 6 CEFR proficiency levels (from A1 to C2), spanning 71 structured chapters. Each rule includes clear explanations, real-world examples, and interactive practice exercises.

Our German grammar curriculum covers CEFR levels from A1 to C2. Each level is designed to match your current proficiency — beginners start with basic sentence patterns at A1, while advanced learners tackle nuanced structures at C1-C2.

Yes! All German grammar rules, explanations, and examples are completely free to access. You can browse the full curriculum, read detailed explanations, and practice with exercises at no cost.

Grammar is organized into 71 thematic chapters following the CEFR framework. Each chapter groups related rules together — for example, verb tenses, sentence structure, or particles — so you can learn related concepts in a logical sequence.

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