Extraposition into the post-field (Nachfeld)

Extraposition (Ausklammerung) moves a heavy or comparison phrase past the right verbal bracket into the post-field (Nachfeld), relieving an overloaded middle field. German sentences have a left and a right verbal bracket; material normally sits between them in the middle field, but certain elements may follow the right bracket.

Two typical cases:

• Comparison clauses with als/wie standardly go into the Nachfeld: Das Ergebnis war besser, als wir gehofft hatten. - The result was better than we had hoped.
• Prepositional phrases may be extraposed for emphasis or to lighten a long middle field: Sie hat sich beworben um die Stelle in Berlin. - She applied for the position in Berlin.

Another example: Er hat gearbeitet bis spät in die Nacht. - He worked until late at night.

Common mistakes:

• Forcing a comparison clause into the middle field, which sounds clumsy (prefer the Nachfeld).
• Over-extraposing ordinary objects, which can sound disjointed in neutral prose.

Moving a heavy or comparison phrase past the right verbal bracket into the post-field (Nachfeld) to relieve the middle field.

After the right bracket you can place a comparison („…, als wir gehofft hatten“) or a prepositional phrase („Er hat gearbeitet bis spät in die Nacht“). This keeps the middle field from becoming too heavy.

Ein schweres Glied - meist eine Vergleichs- oder Präpositionalgruppe - wird hinter die rechte Satzklammer ins Nachfeld verschoben und entlastet so das Mittelfeld.