WHO → VERB → WHAT → WHERE → WHEN

A practical 60-minute English sentence structure lesson for an adult German speaker.

English sentence structure lesson cover
0–5 minutes

Lesson Goal

Build clear English sentences faster by using a simple order:

WHOI / my manager / we / the client
VERBsent / need / explained / will discuss
WHATthe email / the report / the problem
WHEREat work / in the meeting / online
WHENyesterday / tomorrow / next week
5–12 minutes

German vs English: The Main Pitfall

German has strong word-order rules, but they are not English rules. German speakers often move the verb or time phrase into a position that sounds unnatural in English.

German-style English

Tomorrow have I a meeting with my manager.

Because I the report yesterday finished have.

Natural English

I have a meeting with my manager tomorrow.

Because I finished the report yesterday.

12–20 minutes

Exercise 1: Choose the Correct English Order

20–30 minutes

Exercise 2: German → English Structure

Translate the German idea into clear English word order.

30–38 minutes

Exercise 3: Fix the German-Structure English

These sentences use English words, but the order feels German. Rewrite them in natural English.

38–46 minutes

Exercise 4: Build the Sentence Blocks

Click the mixed words to move them into the sentence space. Click a selected word again to move it back.

46–52 minutes

Exercise 5: Find the Mistake

Click the one incorrect word in each sentence.

52–58 minutes

Speaking Practice

Answer each question using full English sentence order.

Homework

Homework: Extra Practice