Key points about the time, manner, place rule
The time, manner, place (TMP) rule is used to work out where two or more Words or phrases which give more information in a sentence such as letzte Woche or mit meiner Familie. words or phrases should be positioned in a sentence.
1. Time - when, how often?
2. Manner - how, who with?
3. Place - where, where to?When forming a sentence, think when? how? where? to work out where to place each group of phases.
Check your understanding
Using correct word order
The correct word order for different adverbial phrases is:
| 1. Time | 2. Manner | 3. Place |
|---|---|---|
| when, how often? | how, who with? | where, where to? |
This rule applies in all tenses.
In the Used to talk about what is happening now, something which is always done or something ongoing.:
Ich fahre jedes Jahr mit dem Auto nach Hamburg.
when? → jedes Jahr
how? → mit dem Auto
where? → nach Hamburg
In the Used to express events which have happened in the past.:
Ich bin letztes Jahr mit meiner Familie nach Passau gefahren.
when? → letztes Jahr
how? → mit meiner Familie
where? → nach Passau
In the Used to talk about plans and events that will happen in the future.:
Ich werde am Wochenende mit meinem besten Freund ins Kino gehen
when? → am Wochenende
how? → mit meinem besten Freund
where? → ins Kino
Remember: It is also possible to start with the time phrase, but the verb must still be the second idea.
For example: Nach den Prufüngen werde ich mit meinen Freunden eine große Party haben.
After the exams, I will have a big party with my friends.
Ordering activity
Check your understanding of the time, manner, place rule by reordering these sentences correctly.
Quiz
Take this multiple-choice quiz to revise the time, manner, place rule.
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