The Mittelfeld (middle field) is the space between the conjugated verb at position 2 and the sentence-final verbal element — it holds objects, adverbials, and particles in a fixed order governed by clear rules. Mastering the Mittelfeld eliminates the most common A2-level word-order errors.
Kernregel: The Mittelfeld orders obligatory complements as Nom → Dat → Akk (with pronoun exceptions), and optional adverbials follow the TeKaMoLo sequence: Temporal → Kausal → Modal → Lokal.
The Mittelfeld (middle field) is the space between the conjugated verb at position 2 and the sentence-final verbal element — it holds objects, adverbials, and particles in a fixed order governed by clear rules. Mastering the Mittelfeld eliminates the most common A2-level word-order errors.
Kernregel: The Mittelfeld orders obligatory complements as Nom → Dat → Akk (with pronoun exceptions), and optional adverbials follow the TeKaMoLo sequence: Temporal → Kausal → Modal → Lokal.
Kasusergänzungen — Obligatory Complements
When a verb takes multiple obligatory complements (nominative, dative, accusative, prepositional), their position in the Mittelfeld follows a fixed sequence.
Rule: Nominativ → Dativ → Akkusativ
When all complements are full noun phrases, the order is nominative → dative → accusative.
| Position 1 |
Verb (Pos. 2) |
Mittelfeld |
Satzende |
| Gestern |
hat |
meine Mutter (Nom.)
der Lehrerin (Dat.)
eine Nachricht (Akk.)
|
geschickt. |
| Am Montag |
erklärt |
der Professor (Nom.)
den Studenten (Dat.)
das Konzept. (Akk.)
|
|
Exception: Two Pronouns → Akkusativ before Dativ
When both dative and accusative are personal pronouns, the accusative comes first.
| Position 1 |
Verb (Pos. 2) |
Mittelfeld |
Satzende |
| Paul |
hat |
es (Akk. Pron.)
mir (Dat. Pron.)
auch erklärt
|
|
| Ich |
gebe |
es (Akk.)
dir (Dat.)
morgen
|
|
Contrast: Noun phrases → Dat before Akk: Er gibt dem Kind das Buch.
Both pronouns → Akk before Dat: Er gibt es ihm.
One pronoun + one noun phrase → pronoun always first, regardless of case: Er gibt es dem Kind. / Er gibt ihm das Buch.
Prepositional Complements Come Last
Prepositional complements always follow dative and accusative noun phrases.
| Position 1 |
Verb (Pos. 2) |
Mittelfeld |
Satzende |
| Wir |
gratulieren |
dir (Dat.)
zum Geburtstag (Präp.-Erg.)
|
|
| Die Sekretärin |
erinnert |
den Chef (Akk.)
an die Besprechung (Präp.-Erg.)
|
|
Complement Order — Summary
- Nom → Dat → Akk when all are noun phrases.
- Akk before Dat when both are pronouns.
- Pronoun first when one complement is a pronoun and the other a noun phrase — regardless of case.
- Prepositional complement last — always after case complements.
Angaben — Optional Adverbials (TeKaMoLo)
Optional adverbials (Angaben) follow the TeKaMoLo sequence when multiple appear together:
TeKaMoLo — the fixed sequence of optional adverbials in the Mittelfeld:
- Temporal — wann? (gestern, morgens, nach dem Unterricht)
- Kausal — warum? (wegen des Staus, aus Neugier)
- Modal — wie? (mit dem Zug, sehr schnell, allein)
- Lokal — wo / wohin? (im Park, nach Berlin, hier)
| Position 1 |
Verb |
Temporal |
Kausal |
Modal |
Lokal |
| Lena |
fährt |
jeden Morgen |
— |
mit dem Bus |
zur Uni. |
| Er |
ist |
gestern |
aus Neugier |
— |
ins Museum gegangen. |
| Ich |
möchte |
diesen Winter |
— |
ohne viel Stress |
in Wien |
Temporal — wann?
- Wir haben gestern Abend zusammen gekocht.
Kausal — warum?
- Er kam wegen des schlechten Wetters nicht.
Modal — wie?
- Sie ist mit dem Fahrrad zur Arbeit gefahren.
Lokal — wo / wohin?
- Das Kind spielt im Garten.
Complements and Adverbials Combined
When complements and adverbials appear together, pronouns float to the very front of the Mittelfeld — ahead of everything, including time adverbials.
| Position 1 |
Verb (Pos. 2) |
Mittelfeld |
Satzende |
| Die Chefin |
hat |
gestern (temporal)
dem Team (Dat.)
die neuen Regeln (Akk.)
im Meeting (lokal)
|
erklärt. |
| Ich |
habe |
es (Akk. Pron.)
dir (Dat. Pron.)
gestern Abend (temporal)
per E-Mail (modal)
|
geschickt. |
Zusammenfassung
- Kasusergänzungen: Nom → Dat → Akk when all are noun phrases.
- Both pronouns: Akk before Dat.
- Pronoun + noun phrase: pronoun always first, regardless of case.
- Präpositionale Ergänzungen always follow case complements.
- Angaben follow TeKaMoLo: Temporal → Kausal → Modal → Lokal.
- Pronouns are "light": they precede all other Mittelfeld elements, including time adverbials.
Häufige Fragen
What is the Mittelfeld in German grammar?
The Mittelfeld is the part of a German sentence between the conjugated verb (position 2) and the sentence-final verbal element (e.g., past participle). It contains case complements (objects) and adverbials in a strictly ordered sequence.
What is TeKaMoLo in German?
TeKaMoLo is a mnemonic for the order of optional adverbials in the Mittelfeld: Temporal → Kausal → Modal → Lokal.
Example: Er ist gestern (Te) aus Neugier (Ka) mit dem Bus (Mo) ins Museum (Lo) gefahren.
When does Akkusativ come before Dativ in German?
Only when both complements are personal pronouns: Ich gebe es dir. (Akk → Dat)
With full noun phrases the default applies: Ich gebe dem Kind das Buch. (Dat → Akk)
Where do pronouns go in the German Mittelfeld?
Pronouns are light elements and always move to the front of the Mittelfeld — before noun-phrase complements and before time adverbials.
Example: Ich habe es dir gestern per E-Mail geschickt. (pronouns precede gestern)
Häufig gestellte Fragen – FAQ
What is the Mittelfeld in German grammar?
The Mittelfeld is the part of a German sentence between the conjugated verb (position 2) and the sentence-final verbal element (e.g., past participle). It contains case complements (objects) and adverbials in a strictly ordered sequence.
What is TeKaMoLo in German?
TeKaMoLo is a mnemonic for the order of optional adverbials in the Mittelfeld: Temporal → Kausal → Modal → Lokal.
Example: Er ist gestern (Te) aus Neugier (Ka) mit dem Bus (Mo) ins Museum (Lo) gefahren.
When does Akkusativ come before Dativ in German?
Only when both complements are personal pronouns: Ich gebe es dir. (Akk → Dat)
With full noun phrases the default applies: Ich gebe dem Kind das Buch. (Dat → Akk)
Where do pronouns go in the German Mittelfeld?
Pronouns are light elements and always move to the front of the Mittelfeld — before noun-phrase complements and before time adverbials.
Example: Ich habe es dir gestern per E-Mail geschickt. (pronouns precede gestern)
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