15 Flexible word order and emphasis
In spite of the above rules there is more flexibility to word order in German than in
English. This flexibility allows for subtle shifts of emphasis and shades of meaning.15.1 First position
As seen in 5.2, the first element in a sentence can be one of a wide range of parts of
speech. For examples of functions where this type of flexible word order is common, see 112.2
(p. 401) ‘Satisfying needs and demands’.(a) This first element is the item which the speaker/writer wishes to explain or
elaborate on:Die Regierung hat ihre neuen Reformen nicht durchsetzen können.
The government was unable to carry through its new reforms.(This communicates something about the government.) See 35.3 (p. 76) for the past participle of modal verbs.
Den alten Mann hat er im Garten gefunden.
He found the old man in the garden.(This conveys something about the old man.)In seiner Wohnung ist die Heizung kaputt.
The heating has broken down in his apartment.(This tells us something about his flat.)Nach den Ferien werde ich das Haus streichen.
I shall paint the house after the holidays.(Here we learn what will happen after the holidays.)(b) The first element is unlikely to contain new information as it usually either refers
back to something mentioned before or hints at information which is already familiar:Abgesehen von den üblichen Schwierigkeiten an der Grenze, war die
Reise ein großer Erfolg.
Apart from the usual difficulties at the border the trip was a great success.(The new element here is the success of the trip; the difficulties are already well known.)In fast all diesen Städten leidet die Bevölkerung unter den Folgen der
Luftverschmutzung.
In almost all these towns the population is suffering from the effects of
air pollution.(The towns are familiar because they have been referred to before – what is new is the
information on pollution.)15
WORD ORDER