German GCSE
Inversion
What Inversion means in German GCSE, as defined for AQA, Pearson Edexcel.
Definitions of Inversion
Exam boards and our study guides word this term in slightly different ways. Learn the version your board uses.
Swapping the subject and the verb so the verb remains in the second position when a clause starts with a time phrase or adverb (e.g., Morgen spiele ich...).
Swapping the usual subject-verb order to verb-subject. Happens when a sentence starts with anything other than the subject (usually a time phrase).
Swapping the subject and the verb so the verb remains the second idea in the sentence, usually after a time phrase (e.g., Gestern habe ich...).
Swapping the usual Subject-Verb order to Verb-Subject. This happens in the main clause when you start a sentence with a subordinate clause.
Swapping the subject and the verb so the verb remains in the second position (e.g., Gestern habe ich...).
Swapping the subject and the verb. Required if you start a sentence with an adverb.
Topics that use Inversion
- Theme 3: Current and future study and employment (AQA GCSE)
- Theme-based vocabulary (Higher): Current and future study and employment (AQA GCSE)
- Thematic Context: Lifestyle and wellbeing (Pearson Edexcel GCSE)
- Thematic Context: Media and technology (Pearson Edexcel GCSE)
- Vocabulary: Adverbs (Pearson Edexcel GCSE)
- Vocabulary: Conjunctions (Pearson Edexcel GCSE)
Related terms
- Auxiliary Verb
- Past Participle
- Reflexive Verb
- Subordinate Clause
- Subordinating Conjunction
- Adjective
- Adjective Agreement
- Adverb
Using Inversion in the exam
Definition questions usually carry one or two marks, and examiners look for the precise wording. Write the definition from memory, check it against the version above, and then use the term in a longer answer on the same topic so it sticks.
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