Learn Hardcore German: Ich lese jeden Abend ein Buch.

In German, time expressions without prepositions (especially indicating frequency or duration) usually take the accusative. Here, Abend is a masculine noun, so its accusative singular form uses jeden. This tells us when you read: “every evening.”

Why does jeden Abend come before ein Buch in the sentence?

German often follows the order Time – Object when both appear after the verb in a main clause. By placing the adverbial time phrase jeden Abend before the direct object ein Buch, you clearly first indicate when the action happens, then what the action is about.

What case is ein Buch in, and why doesn’t the article change in accusative?

ein Buch is the direct object of lesen, so it’s in the accusative. However, Buch is a neuter noun, and the indefinite article ein has the same form for neuter nominative and neuter accusative. That’s why you don’t see any change.

Why is ein used instead of das in ein Buch?

ein = indefinite article (“a book”): you are not referring to a specific book.
das = definite article (“the book”): it points to one particular, known book.
In this sentence, you mean “I read a book,” not “I read the book.”

Why is the verb lesen placed in the second position?

German main clauses obey the V2 rule: the finite verb must occupy the second “slot.” Regardless of what comes first (subject, adverbial phrase, etc.), lese stays second:
1) Ich (subject)
2) lese (verb)
3) jeden Abend (time)
4) ein Buch (object)

Could we start the sentence with Jeden Abend instead?

Yes! You can front the time phrase for emphasis or style. Then the finite verb remains in second position and the subject moves after it:
Jeden Abend lese ich ein Buch.

Can I replace jeden Abend with an jedem Abend or abends?

an jedem Abend (dative with preposition an) is grammatically correct but less common in everyday speech.
abends is an adverb meaning “in the evenings” and is often used:
“Ich lese abends ein Buch.”
All three convey roughly the same idea, with slight differences in style and emphasis.

Why is Abend capitalized even though jeden is not?

In German, all nouns are capitalized, no matter where they appear in a sentence. Adjectives and articles (like jeden) remain lowercase. This helps you instantly recognize nouns when reading.