Inversion for emphasis
C1 · Advanced · Mastery
The rule
Move object or adverb to position 1.
How it works
Placing an object, adverb or prepositional phrase at the start of a sentence emphasises it. The verb stays in second position, so the subject moves after the verb: Dieses Buch habe ich schon gelesen (I have already read this book). Inversion is common in spoken and written German when a contrast is intended.
When to use it
Move an object or adverb to the front to emphasise it, with the verb still in position two.
Use cases
- Emphasising an object: Den Film kenne ich schon
- Emphasising a time phrase: Heute habe ich keine Zeit
- Contrasting two options: Nach Berlin möchte ich nicht, aber nach Wien
Examples
- Dieses Problem müssen wir lösen – This problem we must solve
- Ihren Vater hat sie nie kennengelernt. – She never met her father.
- Gestern waren wir im Kino. – Yesterday we went to the cinema.
- Das Wetter war schlecht, den Ausflug haben wir trotzdem gemacht. – The weather was bad, but we still went on the trip.
Common mistake
Forgetting that the subject moves after the verb: "Dieses Buch habe ich gelesen" is correct.
Memory tip
Front the emphasised element, then the verb, then the subject.