clausefinalregel

The term "clausefinalregel" is a German linguistic concept that translates to "clause-final rule." It refers to the grammatical principle in some languages, particularly German, where certain elements of a sentence, such as verbs or particles, must appear at the end of the clause. This phenomenon is closely associated with German subordinate clauses, where the finite verb is obligatorily placed at the very end. For instance, in a sentence like "Ich weiß, dass er heute kommt" (I know that he is coming today), the verb "kommt" is at the end of the subordinate clause introduced by "dass."

The clause-final rule is a fundamental aspect of German syntax and distinguishes it from languages like English, where the verb typically follows the subject. This word order constraint affects sentence comprehension and production for learners of German. It is also observed in other Germanic languages to varying degrees. The precise nature and extent of the clause-final rule can be complex, with exceptions and variations depending on the type of clause and specific grammatical constructions. Understanding this rule is crucial for mastering German grammar.