I'm trying to learn German. I use Qwen3.5/3.6 locally, but this is pretty bad for German grammar. Has anyone got a recommendation for a small-ish local model that knows German grammer well and can answer questions on this?

EDIT:

I give an example output from unquantized Qwen3.5 9B. This starts off OK, then continues to become unnatural/ungrammatical and ends up contradictory/wrong:

Considering only the subordinate clause introduced by "wenn", there are indeed other orderings permitted, though they will change the emphasis or flow of the sentence.

The core rule is that the conjugated verb (würde) must remain at the end of the clause. Everything else can be rearranged to some degree.

Here are the main variations:

1. Standard Order (Subject-Verb-Object)

This is the most common and neutral order.

• Structure: Wenn + Subject + Object + Verb + Comparison
• Sentence: Wenn mein Freund so viele Versprechen brechen würde wie der Kanzler...
• Meaning: If my friend were to break as many promises as the Chancellor...

2. Object-First (Topicalization)

You can move the object (so viele Versprechen) to the very beginning of the clause. This places emphasis on the "promises".

• Structure: Wenn + Object + Subject + Verb + Comparison
• Sentence: Wenn so viele Versprechen mein Freund brechen würde wie der Kanzler...
• Meaning: If so many promises my friend were to break as the Chancellor... (emphasizing the quantity of promises)

3. Comparison-First (Fronting the "wie" phrase)

You can move the comparison phrase (wie der Kanzler) to the beginning of the clause. This is a bit more dramatic and emphasizes the comparison itself.

• Structure: Wenn + Comparison + Subject + Object + Verb
• Sentence: Wenn wie der Kanzler mein Freund so viele Versprechen brechen würde...
• Meaning: If, like the Chancellor, my friend were to break so many promises... (emphasizing the "like the Chancellor" part)

4. Separating the Verb

The verb phrase brechen würde can be separated if you insert another element between the infinitive (brechen) and the auxiliary (würde). This is less common but grammatically possible.

• Structure: Wenn + Subject + Object + Infinitive + Comparison + Auxiliary
• Sentence: Wenn mein Freund so viele Versprechen wie der Kanzler brechen würde...
• Meaning: If my friend were to break as many promises as the Chancellor...
• Note: This is actually a very natural and common way to say it, where the comparison phrase is placed before the verb.

Summary of Permitted Orders (Verb at the end):

Order	Example	Emphasis
Standard	Wenn mein Freund so viele Versprechen brechen würde wie der Kanzler	Neutral
Object-First	Wenn so viele Versprechen mein Freund brechen würde wie der Kanzler	On the "promises"
Comparison-First	Wenn wie der Kanzler mein Freund so viele Versprechen brechen würde	On the "like the Chancellor" part
Comparison-Mid	Wenn mein Freund so viele Versprechen wie der Kanzler brechen würde	Natural, slightly different flow

Key Takeaway: As long as the conjugated verb (würde) remains at the very end of the subordinate clause, you have significant freedom to rearrange the other elements for stylistic effect.